Free Paddling Event Ideal for New Kayakers
By John N. Felsher
Just in time to welcome the summer season, a free, family-friendly event will allow paddlers of all levels of ability the chance to set out on the open water, connect with like-minded lovers of the outdoors and explore the almost-hidden treasures of plants and landscapes on Alabama’s largest lake.
The Creek to Cove Paddle event, set for 9 a.m. May 30, will showcase the beauty of Lake Guntersville in an immersive way, one that can’t be replicated from a motorboat or the shoreline.
Lake Guntersville stretches 75 miles along the Tennessee River from Guntersville Dam in Marshall County into Tennessee. Fortunately for paddlers, this voyage will mostly take place in South Sauty Creek, a tributary off the main lake. Participants will put in at the Langston Boat Ramp in Langston City Park, 11151 County Road 67, and paddle about 3.5 miles to the Morgans Cove Boat Ramp in Buck’s Pocket State Park. It begins in Jackson County and ends in Marshall County.
Rick Wilborn, a Langston city councilman and member of Tennessee RiverLine, has been a paddler for about 30 years and was one of the people who came up with the event idea. “The trip should take an average paddler about 2.5 hours. After the paddle, we shuttle everybody back to the launch site. The Langston Fire Department will cook hot dogs and give out potato chips, water and watermelons for all the paddlers.”
People don’t pay a penny to participate. Even transportation and lunch are free for paddlers. People can bring their own canoes or kayaks, but those without access to boats can borrow a kayak for free, courtesy of Tennessee RiverLine, with pre-registration. It comes with paddles and personal floatation devices.
“The Creek to Cove Paddle event is a collaborative community paddle,” says Katy Norton, the Marshall County Tourism and Sports president. Jackson County Tourism, the city of Langston and Marshall County Tourism came together in May 2025 to host the first event. Nearly 100 paddlers showed up, and more are expected this year.
Promoting the enjoyment of the water
Tennessee RiverLine began as an initiative based out of University of Tennessee Extension. The organization provided seven fleets of kayaks to towns along the river to promote kayaking and other water sports and to inspire resource stewardship of the Tennessee River. In Alabama, the organization provided nearly 100 boats, all owned, maintained and coordinated by local partners of Tennessee RiverLine.
“Tennessee RiverLine is a 1.2-million-acre system of outdoor recreation experiences along the 652-mile reach of the Tennessee River,” says T.J. Johnson, the Alabama programs manager for Tennessee RiverLine in Florence, which is assisting with the event. “For this event, paddlers can use the kayaks free of charge. We invite people to connect with the river through paddling, hiking, biking, fishing, birding, camping and more.”
Boats with large engines burn through gasoline quickly running around on a big reservoir like Lake Guntersville. With the price of fuel today, people might consider fishing, exploring, bird watching, nature photography and other activities they can do in a canoe or kayak without spending a penny for fuel
while paddling.
In addition, such small boats can get into many places that people in larger, heavier craft would never attempt to enter.
“Guntersville has always been considered a big boat lake or a bass boat lake,” Norton says. “Our goal is to promote the health and wellness aspect of paddling. Lake Guntersville has a lot of coves and great scenic shorelines perfect for paddling. If someone wanted to get on the water, it’s way cheaper to go in a kayak than a big boat.”
Before leaving the docks, experienced paddlers will give some instructions and tips to handle the small boats. Beginners will receive colored wrist bands identifying them as novice kayakers. Experienced paddlers will also stay close to beginners in case anyone needs help.
“We invited Alabama Scenic River Trail (alabamascenicrivertrail.com) and Tennessee RiverLine to join us as they are both very friendly for water sports,” Norton says. “The city of Guntersville is a Tennessee RiverLine community. Being part of that initiative has led us to focus more on paddling events and getting people out onto the lake, now more than ever. Last year, more than 40 people used free kayaks that we provided. Many beginner paddlers participated. This isn’t a race. It’s just a fun event to get more people on the water.”
To register or for more information go to marshallcounty
tourismandsports.com and look up the Events section, or call 256-582-7015. Also see visitjacksoncountyal.com/event/creek-to-cove-paddle-event.
For more information about Lake Guntersville and the surrounding area, see explorelakeguntersville.com. For information on Tennessee RiverLine, visit tnriverline.org.
