The Coal River Group, along with Moses Ford, will be hosting the fourth annual Coal River TOUR DE COAL event on Saturday, June 21 st, 2008.

The boat float starts at Meadowood Park in Tornado, WV at 9:00am. The participants float eleven miles down the Coal River to St. Albans and take out at the Gateway Shopping Center.

“It’s a hoot!” Says CRG Volunteer Bob Miller, “I have been involved in every one of the Tours and watched the ever growing number of boaters have a great time.” The float was created by the Coal River Group to bring people back to the rivers. “We are seeing many new people every year.” says Bill Currey, President of the non-profit group.

“We expect over 200 boats and as many as 250 people to participate this year.” Currey added.

Special events during the day will include a variety of displays to be located at the finish line at Gateway shopping center in St. Albans. Displays promoting and illustrating how the group is working to clean up the river are expected. Vendors will be offering food and sporting goods retailers will be on hand showing off the latest in kayaks and sporting gear.

The organizers have obtained permission from the Kanawha County Parks and Recreation Commission to allow overnight campers to use Meadowood Park on the night of June 20 th. “We can now offer visitors from out of town a place to camp prior to the float.” says Currey, “We have had a number of requests from people regarding camping in the area the night before the event.”

The Coal River Group asks for a $15 donation and all participants receive t-shirts commemorating the event.

We expect to have 25 to 30 volunteers; including the local Tornado Volunteer Fire Department, St. Albans Fire and Police Departments. Residents living along the eleven mile water route are being asked to come out and cheer on the floaters. “Last year we had a number of families that offered water, fruit and encouragement to the boaters.” says Currey.

Detailed information about the Tour de Coal and the Coal River Group can found on the web site www.coalrivergroup.com.

News Archive

Walhonde River Trail Water Level Information
River gauges that can be accessed by the public to determine floatable levels of water in the rivers are available here at this site. Remember Water Levels should be at 10.5 ft. for a better float or paddle down the trail.

Click on Logo to go to site.

Kris Radford
Vice President and Chairman of Communications , Chairman Coal River Clean Up

Coal River Group is a 501c3 tax exempt corporation
What does that mean? Contributions by individuals, business etc. can now qualify for tax deductions when they contribute to the group.
Contributions may include: Real Estate • Cash • Estates • Boats & Equipment • Goods & Professional Services • Grants - Installment Donations.
HELP BRING LIFE BACK TO THE COAL RIVER!

Please make your check payable to:
Coal River Group, Inc.,
P.O. Box 363, St. Albans, WV 25177
or call 304-727-0660 to find out how you can help the Coal Rivers.

PHOTO CONTEST ENTRY FORM

2008 Photo Contest Entry Form