The drive from his home in Fayetteville to Dawsonville was well worth Robert Osburn’s time Saturday morning.

At 63, Osburn was the overall winner in the Dawson County Jaycees second annual canoe and kayak race on the Etowah River.

"It was fantastic. I’d love to live here so I could paddle this river every day," he said.

A fundraiser for the local senior center, the race brought out nearly 30 paddlers to experience 9.1 miles of the Etowah River in Dawson County.

Proceeds from the event will be donated to the Dawson County Senior Center elevator fund.

Organizer David McKee said he was pleased with the turnout for the event.

"The event was a success with great competition and everyone finished safely," he said.

Plans are already underway for next year’s event, scheduled for the first Saturday in August.

"Mark your calendars. We look forward to a bigger and better event next year," McKee said.