DawsonTimes.com

Zipping through the treetops at over 30 mph with the rolling terrain of the North Georgia foothills will soon become the next must-do adventure for active outdoor enthusiasts.  North Georgia Canopy Tours announces the April 1, 2010 opening of its two zipline Tours in Lula, Georgia, located in Hall County near Gainesville, one hour northeast of Atlanta.

With the help of a Tourism Product Development Grant from the State of Georgia, North Georgia Canopy Tours was able to launch its business at a greater scale.  The company has already hired over 45 new employees as office personnel, photographers, and Tour guides.  With the assistance of the Department of Labor on-line posting, employees were hired from the following Georgia cities:  Alpharetta, Athens, Carlton, Clayton, Cornelia, Cumming, Dahlonega, Demorest, Flowery Branch, Gainesville, Gillsville, Lawrenceville, Lula, Milledgeville, Oakwood, St. Simons, Valdosta, and Winterville.  Over one million dollars was spent in new infrastructure, equipment, training, and marketing – all benefiting the state of Georgia.

“We were thrilled with the outpouring of support and encouragement that the Georgia Department of Economic Development provided, including Bruce Green the Director, Cheryl Smith, Northeast Georgia Mountains Regional Tourism Representative, Tim Evans of the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce, Stacey Dickson of the Lake Lanier Convention and Visitors Bureau, and numerous others provided to our new business,” said Leah Watkins, Managing Member of North Georgia Canopy Tours.  “Georgia provides golden state resources to jumpstart new businesses and new jobs in the tourism area.  We have certainly benefited from their expertise, enthusiasm, encouragement, and economic support.”

North Georgia Canopy Tours is located on 136 acres near the headwaters of the North Oconee River and within yards of the continental divide between the Gulf and the Atlantic. Located in a picturesque valley between two ridges at the transition point between the Appalachians and the Piedmont Plateau, North Georgia Canopy Tours takes full advantage of the changing topography to provide an ultimate treetop adventure over and through forests, ravines, ponds, pastures, and the river.

“Tourism is a powerful economic generator for the state and for local communities,” observed Kirk Watkins, the other North Georgia Canopy Tours Managing Member.  “We have been surprised to have early inquiries from Florida, South Carolina, Alabama, and other areas about how soon we open and what other activities in the area people can enjoy.  Many of our 1,500 Facebook fans (as of 4PM 3/29/10) are from outside of the State of Georgia.”

Custom-designed and built specifically for the site by BONSAI Design, the premier canopy tour design firm in the country, the zipline courses meet or exceed all standards of the American Association of Challenge Course Technology (ACCT).  BONSAI specializes in integrating courses into the natural environment without harming the trees.  The course provides an authentic canopy tour experience, enabling participants to zip from tree to tree in the lush hardwood forest at heights up to 70 feet.

Participants soar in the treetops in some areas; and close to the ground in others at speeds ranging from leisurely to over 30 miles per hour.  The adrenaline-filled experience includes two tours:

Skybridge Tour – two+ hours:

Nine  ziplines, two sky bridges, nature hikes, one zip which crosses the North Oconee River three times, and a final dual zip of 700 feet.  The dual zip will simultaneously fly two guests from a platform down and over the  Hilltop Pond directly in front of the Tour Observation Deck.

Adventure Tour - three+ hours:

Over a mile of cable, with twelve ziplines, including two zips over the North Oconee River, zips over the Old Mill and Catfish Ponds, two sky bridges, nature hikes, 20-foot rappel and the final dual zip over the Hilltop Pond. 

Tours are led by two trained ACCT certified guides.  Prior to launch, each participant will receive individual safety and braking training, as well as a close-to-the-ground practice zip. Age and size requirements are posted on the website.  Guides will provide a colorful history of the area, identify indigenous plants and wildlife and provide an exciting and rewarding experience for novices and experts alike. 

Founded by an Atlanta couple, attorney Kirk Watkins and Health Care Regulatory Specialist Leah Watkins, North Georgia Canopy Tours began its inception in July 2007, when the Watkins family enjoyed a canopy tour through the rain forest of Costa Rica.  Despite a fear of heights, Kirk and Leah mustered the courage to zoom through the canopy.  Having made this leap of faith, Kirk and Leah called in professionals to create a unique canopy tour experience at their property, Old Mill Farm, in Lula, Georgia.

According to Kirk, “Overcoming a fear of heights and speed leads to an incredible feeling of accomplishment, not to mention an adrenaline rush that lasts for hours.  Zipping can be enjoyed by people of average athletic ability. We thought this was the perfect way to combine the fun and excitement of this challenge with the natural beauty of North Georgia.”

North Georgia Canopy Tours offers introductory pricing ranging from $69 to $89; groups of eight or more may call for weekday discounts.  For reservations, gift certificates and additional information, visitwww.northgeorgiacanopytours.com

or call 770 869-7272. 

North Georgia Canopy Tours
5290 Harris Road
Lula, Georgia 30554
Telephone: 770 869 7272

Site Classifieds: day trips, family entertainment, outdoor recreation