January 8, 2017

Meet Jay Davis of Georgia Canoeing Association

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jay Davis.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
The GCA was founded in 1966 after several fatal whitewater accidents on the Chattooga River. Our early membership helped pioneer the development and dissemination of whitewater paddling techniques and negotiated access to many famous Southeastern rivers. We provide kayaking and canoeing instruction. We advocate for paddling access and river conservation along with many partner organizations. We are also a social club with multiple social and paddling events throughout the year. We advocate and are active in all types of human powered craft, though we focus on whitewater mostly. We are a nonprofit organization focused on fun, safety, instruction, conservation, and river access.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The GCA has been through many changes that mirror the larger changes in the whitewater paddling community. We started out dominated by canoes; now, the club is dominated by kayaks.

Georgia Canoeing Association – what should we know?
Many people see whitewater paddlers wearing technical gear, doing rolls and they are very intimidated by all of that. The GCA is a nonintimidating place that welcomes beginners. Although we have many advanced paddlers, our strength is helping newer paddlers get started both in terms of learning the technical and safety aspects of the hobby; but also, finding a social group of paddlers. Group dynamics in whitewater paddling is very important for safety reasons, and it’s rarely done alone. We have a strong instructional program made up of certified volunteer instructors. We are the oldest and largest paddling organization in the state and has helped us be strong advocates for environmental efforts, paddler’s access, safety, and instruction.

What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
As an instructor, I’ve seen beginner students who were uncomfortable and terrified on easy whitewater who progressed over the course of 2 years and are now paddling class 4 and 5 whitewater in Tallulah Gorge. As a kayaker, I love introducing people to this hobby as in encapsulates 3 things that make it a great way to recharge the spirit. It combines physical exercise and learning new things with some of the most gorgeous scenery and places that you can imagine. And, you engage this exercise and scenery with a great group of friends.

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