Lanier Swim and Kayak Club asks Gainesville to help secure safety for national paddling championships

At the June 18 meeting, Gwen Ingram of the Lanier Swim and Kayak Club addressed the council during public comment to request coordinated public-safety support for the 2024 ACA Sprint National Championships to be hosted in Gainesville.

Ingram said the event will draw competitors and spectators from around the country and described concerns about recreational and power boat traffic crossing the racing course, creating waves and safety risks for paddlers ranging from beginners to Olympic hopefuls. "Public safety is gonna be an issue over the 4 days on the water," Ingram said, adding that a recent small competition demonstrated the risk when boaters moved through the venue and made waves.

Mayor Sam Couvillon and City Manager Brian Lackey responded that the city will coordinate with Hall County and that the fire and police departments will provide onshore coverage. Lackey said the county sheriff's office has a rescue boat he would ask to keep nearby for water patrols and noted that the city expects to have a fire boat operational the following summer that could add patrol capacity. "We will help coordinate with the county to make sure... we also try to coordinate and make sure that we have people in the water," the mayor said.

Ingram said she would provide contact information and hopes to work with city staff on event safety planning so the city can host future national or Olympic-hope competitions.

Provenance: Public comment remarks and city replies are recorded in the June 18 transcript and formed the basis of this article.