A gatheringof floats and boatson the Savannah Riverprovided locals with aninexpensive but adventurous vacationfrom their daily lives.

Cole Watkins, who graduatedfrom Augusta State University witha degree in business last spring, saidhe enjoys spending most of his timeon the river. He runs his own businesscalled Watkins Tours. The product ofa successful business class project,Watkins Tours offers kayaking trips on the river

Watkins said he used skills heknew well to turn a profit. It was laterthat the idea behind Floatilla cameinto the picture.

“I was just hanging out with mybuddies at the pool one day,” Watkinssaid. “We were goofing off with aninflatable couch. I said, ‘We should try floating this thing down the river.’That’s how it all started.”

At the beginning, the Floatillawas just a way for Watkins to get hisfriendstogether. Theyenjoyed beingoutdoors andout on the river,Watkins said,so he and hisfriends decidedto spend the day floating down the river,and to his surprise it, was a great hit.all started.

In the summer of 2010, Watkinsmade a Facebook event page to helpget others involved. Thus the firstFloatilla was born. Since then, the Floatilla has happened at least twicea year and seven times total over a periodof two years. Watkins was ableto hold three events this year with attendanceas high as 74 people.

“I love going out there, neverknowing who is going to show up,”said Morgan Fordham, a transfer studentat AugustaState. “It’s crazy how many new peopleyou can meet. After spending fivehours together, you walk away withso many new friends.”

At thispast Flotilla, Watkins saidhe decided to take it a step furtherand help the community. He askedthe participants to donate money tothe Ronald McDonald House becauseFloatilla is a free event. He then personallydelivered the proceeds.

Watkins said he plans to raisemoney for an organization again, buthe is unsure if he will pick the samefoundation each time.

“I thought it was a great way toask people to give back to the community,”said Jill Reeves, a senior earlychildhood major at Augusta State.“Especially since so many peopleusually attend, I love it.”

The only requirements for thisevent are bringing a float of any sortand having a good time, Watkins said,although many floaters pack coolers with snacks, something cold to drinkand sunscreen. They launched theboats and floats at the Strom ThurmondDam and floated down theriver to the Fury’s Ferry Ramp. Ittakes a total of five to six hours.

“We’ve had a little bit of everythingfloating down the river: inflatablecouches, blow up mattresses,kiddie pools and your general floats,”Watkins said. “Some go as far asmaking rafts to float down the rivercomplete with Astroturf. Though nomatter what you float on, I do suggest having a life jacket just to be safe.”

To Fordham, time flies by becausethey are so busy listening to music, eating, drinking and jumpingoff rocks into the water. With so manydifferent people and personalities, noone is worrying about time, she said.