Guyandotte River float, regatta scheduled for June 24

GILBERT, W.Va. — Officials with the Guyandotte Water Trail Alliance are inviting paddlers and residents of the Guyandotte Valley in West Virginia to float the scenic river during the third annual Guyandotte River Regatta & Float.

Being celebrated June 24 at four river-access points in southern and southwestern West Virginia, the event will begin at 8 a.m., and participants may launch at 10 a.m. Each float will last approximately two hours.

According to Christy Bailey, executive director of the National Coal Heritage Area, organizations at some river-access sites will provide additional activities.

The event is being held to encourage the use of the Guyandotte for recreation and to promote the Guyandotte Water Trail, a 166-mile recreational trail for anglers and operators of non-motorized watercraft.

This float is sponsored at each location by a community organization supported by the coal heritage authority, Bailey said.

Guyandotte River in Wyoming County

Hosted by the Rural Appalachian Improvement League and the Wyoming County Convention and Visitors Bureau, the put-in is at Wyoming East Park.

Guyandotte River in Mingo County

Hosted by the Gilbert Convention and Visitors Bureau, the put-in is on WV-52 at Justice.

Guyandotte River in Lincoln County

At Branchland, the put-in is at Branchland Park on WV-10.

Guyandotte River in Cabell County

Hosted by the Barboursville City Convention and Visitors Bureau and Barboursville Park, the put-in is at Barboursville Park.

Participants are required to register and sign a liability waiver. The recommended age for participation is eight years old and older. Participants are required to wear an approved personal floatation while on the river. T-shirts will be given to each participant.

There is no fee to join in the event. T-shirts will be given to each participant.  Participants are encouraged to register before the event on Eventbrite. Registration forms, waivers, and other information are available there.

For more information, visit GuyandotteWaterTrail.com, contact the National Coal Heritage Authority at 304-465-3720, or email Linda Hawkins at lhawkins@coalheritage.org.