Local Atlanta instructor uses kayaking to help Black people heal

"Closer Look" host Rose Scott and Sylvester Pierce of the Self-Preservation Society paddle the waters at Sweetwater Creek State Park. (Mathew Pearson/WABE)

Georgia State Parks has around 20 parks with floatable lakes. Sylvester Pierce of the Self-Preservation Society is on a mission to paddle all of them.

Peirce has floated five lakes so far and wants to float the rest of them by the end of the year — along with the Chattahoochee River. While doing so, the kayaking instructor, who believes water is healing and therapeutic, wants to get more Black people out on the water.

“Rivers, lakes, streams, oceans are all a part of us,” explained Pierce. “It all moves through us. It all helps our bodies heal.”

Sylvester Pierce paddles a kayak at Sweetwater State Park. (Matthew Pearson/WABE)

Pierce said before slavery, Black people had boats that traveled around the world.

“We had navigations that literally went from continent to continent with trading. Way before Christopher Columbus was born, thought of, or his parents were thought of, Black people were on water,” Pierce explained to show host Rose Scott during an interview at Sweetwater Creek State Park.

For Part 1 of the interview, Peirce discussed the complicated history of Georgia lakes. He also reflected on his first time paddling a canoe and how a conversation with his mentor after flipping his canoe inspired him to pursue teaching others how to navigate the waters.

“I pulled myself up, literally, by a tree limb,” he explained. “I wish I could find that tree limb now and thank her.”

For Part 2 of the interview, Pierce and Rose go out on the water. He talks with Rose about water safety and how water can be used to heal depression.

“Rivers, lakes, streams, oceans are all a part of us. It all moves through us. It all helps our bodies heal.”
Sylvester Pierce of the Self-Preservation Society

Scott also spoke with Pierce’s mentor and close friend, Tony Coppage. Coppage reflected on growing up in downtown Atlanta and shared his journey of following his dreams to become a wilderness guide.

Tony Coppage paddles his canoe out on the water at Sweetwater State Park. (Matthew Pearson/WABE)

“As an African American, I had to go against what people said I couldn’t or shouldn’t be doing,” said Coppage. “And to have Sylvester doing what he’s doing is amazing because he’s creating a space for people to realize water and nature is healing in itself. And we are people of nature and instead of being afraid of it, use it to heal us, as much as we have used it to damage us.”