Murphs Surf Offers Variety of Recreational Opportunities Floating Down River

Of all the things that make Canton a great place to live—historic downtown, the thriving business community, a great quality of life—one that frequently gets overlooked is the natural wonder of the Etowah River.

In fact, most residents of Canton only experience the Etowah River when they drive over one of the many bridges that cross it.

But Canton is working to change that, to show that having a river so close to downtown presents a unique recreational opportunity—and Murphs Surf is ready to help.

“The good news is, if you want to spend an afternoon kayaking or tubing down a beautiful river, you don’t have to go to Helen anymore,” says Mike Murphy, co-owner of the new Murphs Surf shop at The Mill on Etowah. “Now you can do that right here in Canton and enjoy a great meal and shopping at The Mill when you’re done.”

Murphs Surf has been in business for four years with a shop at Little River Marina on Lake Allatoona, so Mike and co-owner Austin Sable have everything you need for an afternoon on the water.

“There’s such peace of mind on the water,” Mike says. “You can go out and get away from the concrete world and see nature in a way you can’t from the road. It’s relaxing, but most of all, it’s fun.”

“We have kayaks, fishing kayaks, tubes, rafts, and paddle boards available for rent,” Mike says, “and you can do a three- to four-hour float or a longer six- to seven-hour float. We take you upriver in our bus to where you start, and then both floats end up right back at The Mill.”

For those who would rather stay on land, Murphs Surf also rents bikes and electric bikes for exploring downtown Canton and the city’s ever-growing trail system, as well as skateboards and one-wheelers.“We have something for everyone,” Mike explains. “So the whole family can come to Canton and all do what they want—shopping downtown, trail-riding, tubing down the river—and then all meet up at The Mill for dinner. The variety of activities and recreational opportunities really make Canton a destination.”

And if you find you like time on the river or on the trails so much you want to have your own kayak or trail bike, Murphs Surf can help you with that, too. “We sell a variety of recreational equipment, including kayaks and paddle boards, bikes, skateboards, as well as coolers and sun hats,” says Mike. “We are a full recreational outfitter.”

While Mike hopes to see more people come to appreciate the natural beauty of the Etowah River by experiencing it firsthand from a tube or kayak, especially during the summer months, Murphs has big plans to expand the fun, including a membership program, wine tastings, and a kids camp. But ultimately, for Mike, it’s about the river.

For more information about Murphs Surf, visit murphsriverandride.com —where you can also book your rental and trip date. Or email info@murphssurf.com.

This article was featured in the Historic Canton magazine. Read more.

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