Tennessee River Blueway Canoe and Kayak Race

The BornToPaddle.com team had a great showing (two 1st place finishes and two 2nd place finishes) at the 2008 Tennessee River Blueway Canoe and Kayak Race this past weekend in Chattanooga, TN.

The event, staged by Outdoor Chattanooga, suffered a bit in attendance this year. We can only assume that the gas shortage of middle Tennessee played a large part. Estimated attendance was about 30 paddlers, down from about 50 paddlers last year.

The course was changed this year from a point-to-point to an out-and-back. There were also two courses available this year, a two mile loop and a six mile loop, and a slew of categories. Door prizes included some great looking PFDs courtesy of Rock Creek Outfitters, a local Chattanooga outdoor shop. We were a bit disappointed that there was no paddlers-only raffles, as quite a few paddlers walked away empty handed (unless you call a frisbee or a water bottle a door prize), while spectators and volunteers seemed to do quite well in the give-aways.

Paddler’s did receive a useful mini dry bag and carabiner. First place winners got a certificate and Blueway T-Shirt, second and third placers got a certificate. Everyone enjoyed a free BBQ lunch, and they even remembered us vegetarians - thanks!

For anyone not familiar with kayaking and canoeing opportunities in Chattanooga, this race is a good intro to the area and to the Tennessee River. Chattanooga has done an excellent job with their downtown river area. The river is easily accessible to paddlers from a variety of put-ins and plenty of nearby parking on both sides of the river.

The river itself is quite beautiful from the shore, but to truly appreciate it you need to get in it with your canoe or kayak. McClellan/Audubon Island, in the center of the river closest to Ross’s Landing in downtown, is a great place to pull over for a rest and check out the wide array of bird life. There are several paddling destinations along the river, so day and overnight paddles are possible along the 26 miles that comprise the Tennessee River Gorge. Find out more about the Tennessee River Gorge by clicking here.

Have you paddled Chattanooga or the Tennessee River? Click here to let us know about your trip!

This just in from the organizers of the Phatwater Kayak Challenge 2008:

NOAA and National Weather Service long range forecast for the Phatwater is 27.4′ on October 11.  This will be a record high water mark for the Phatwater.  Reasonable to assume the record will be shattered, and the 4 hour mark will be severely compromised.

About the Race:

The 7th Annual Phatwater Kayak Challenge is set to take place October 11 on the Mississippi River between Grand Gulf and Natchez.

The Phatwater Kayak Challenge is the premier paddling event on the Mighty Mississippi. It’s a grueling, 42.5 mile, paddle endurance race from the port at Grand Gulf, near Port Gibson, Mississippi, to the Natchez Landing, at Natchez Under-The-Hill.

Depending on the paddler, and the craft, the Phatwater will take anywhere from 4 and a half to six and a half hours to complete.

Volunteers Needed!

Can you volunteer on Race Day? If so, please contact Keith by email: Keith@kayakmississippi.com or by phone: (601) 431-1731 Cell

Looking for an awesome place to paddle or kayak on the east coast? Consider Rhode Island’s Blue Trail - a new 10-mile water trail in Narragansett Bay along the shore of Aquidneck Island.

Last month, signs for the Blue Trail were posted at boat ramps at Cory’s Lane and Weaver’s Cove in Portsmouth, RI. The new trail is OK for newbies and beginner kayakers MOST OF THE TIME…however, Narragansett Bay can become quite choppy and rough, so all paddlers are advised to check weather and water conditions before setting off on the trail.

A Tip: Narragansett Bay is generally calmest in the early morning and in the evening. Trail organizers recommend closed-top kayaks or canoes with spray covers. Wear a life jacket, travel with a partner and listen to weather forecasts.

The Blue Trail starts at a boat ramp near Portsmouth Abbey. From there, head south past a yacht club and marina. The small islands that dot the East Passage of Narragansett Bay are open to the public, so take a moment to go ashore if you like.

Other landmarks and resting points include the park on the southern tip of Prudence Island and Dyer Island which is a bit farther south between Prudence Island and mainland Portsmouth.

The Blue Trail continues south past Coddington Cove, part of Naval Station Newport. The cove is a secure zone, off-limits to paddlers, but from here you can see the fUSS Saratoga and the USS Forrestal.

Beneath the Claiborne Pell Bridge is Rose Island and its lighthouse. It will cost you $5 to go ashore here and explore the lighthouse and wildlife sanctuary and its worth it.

Tip: From April 1 to Aug. 15, Rose Island visitors are not allowed on most of the island beaches in order to protect migratory birds including great and snowy egrets, blue herons, black-crowned night herons and a variety of ducks.

The end of the Blue Trail is in Newport. Paddle into the harbor and buy a snack from one of the local pier restaurants and vendors.

Tip: Starting in 2011 or 2012, paddlers will be able to ride a shuttle train back north to their launch points in Portsmouth.

For more information on this great kayak resource, and the Rhode Island Blueways Alliance, click here to visit the Explore Rhode Island webpage.

To suggest a great place to paddle, canoe or kayak in your neck of the woods, send us a message using our handy contact form.

Happy Paddling!

September is full of Kayaking and Canoeing races and events all over the U.S.! Here are just some of the kayak and canoe races and events that we have listed on our races and events page.

GoZero Kayak Race , Beacon, NY - September 21

The GoZero kayak race is a flatwater kayak race located on the Hudson River waterfront of Beacon, NY. The City of Beacon is located on the east bank of the Hudson River 59 miles north of  New York City and approximately 90 miles south of Albany.

Kayakers have one of three options and can choose to paddle in one of three events:

9-Mile Long Race
Kayakers race from Beacon Harbor to Bannerman’s Castle to I-84 Bridge and back to Beacon Harbor.

2-Mile Short Race
This race is great for first-timers, beginners or those kayakers looking for competitive fun on the water while racing against friends and family.

Paddle Rally
The free Paddle Rally is a new activity for non-racing kayakers who want to enjoy paddling on the Hudson River as a group.

The Mokelumne River Races (also called the Moke races) Jackson,  California.- September 20th & 21st

This is a weekend whitewater kayaking event with a three mile downriver sprint and a 20-25 gate slalom course.
 
These races are open to all boaters from novice to expert. According to their website -
Most boaters use their standard river running or play boats, but you’ll also see people in carbon fiber slalom racing boats, whitewater canoes and wildwater downriver race boats.

The course is set up on a class II stretch of the Mokelumne River known as the Electra run.

Wicomico Kayak Attack Kayak and Canoe River Race, Salisbury, Maryland. - September 27

This 6 mile river race will be on the Wicomico river in downtown Salisbury.

On the same day they will also have The Rambling Raft Race- build a homemade raft race.
The categories for this race are:
Fastest Raft
Most Original Design
I Can’t Believe it Floats
Best Dressed Crew

The 16th Annual Wye Island Regatta, Queenstown, Maryland, September 13

This is a 12.5 mile race that starts at Wye Landing on the Wye East River on Maryland’s Eastern Shore and continues around Wye Island.
 
According to their website this race is open to all person-powered boats, including shells (sweep/ scull, racing/ recreational) canoes, outriggers, kayaks, gigs, dories, etc.

Paddle the Shores, Ocean Shores, WA - September 27-28.

This is a weekend event, with what sound like lots of fun events.

Human Powered Boat Race - Class 1 - Duck Lake.. Kayaks, Canoes, Shells and Paddleboats. All divisions invited  Life jackets, whistles, and basic boating skills are required.

Poker Paddle - Duck Lake. Leisurely paddle the interconnecting lakes and canals of Ocean Shores, picking up playing cards at each of the seven stops along the way. The stops are 1 to 2 miles apart. At the end of the 9-mile event, prizes will be awarded for the best poker hands. For those seeking a shorter course, there is an alternate, 6-mile route that results in picking up a five-card poker hand.

Cardboard Boat Race - . Duck Lake. Boat construction begins a noon. Teams have one hour to construct a boat using only cardboard and packaging tape.  One team member will attempt to paddle the newly constructed boat around a buoy. The first team back, or the one that stays afloat the farthest will be declared the winner.

All in all, it looks like September is a great month for paddling around the U.S. You can bet the Born To Paddle crew will be on the water, if you see us, be sure to say Hi!

Click here to find more races and events or to find the websites for the races that we have listed.

Click here to find places to paddle all around the U.S.

Thanks to Bill Richards for letting us know about this great upcoming kayak and canoe event in Florida!

Paddle Florida: Big Shoals to Branford

When: November 8 – 15, 2008

What: Florida canoe and kayak adventure starts at Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park in White Springs and finishes in Branford.  As many as 200 paddlers will be going with the flow, averaging 13 miles per day and camping on the banks of Florida ’s beautiful Suwannee River. 

Why: Paddle Florida is held in cooperation with the Florida Park Service and the Suwannee River Water Management District.  These two organizations, through partnerships with both the public and private sectors, have created the 171-mile Suwannee River Wilderness Trail.   The Trail is a series of cabins, river camps and private “hubs” that, taken together, make the Suwannee River accessible to paddlers, hikers, bikers, equestrian enthusiasts and other user groups.  Paddle Florida will be using some of the facilities that have been recently completed.

Click here for more info, route map and to sign up and experience a week of camaraderie with the thrill of canoeing or kayaking a Florida gem.

Do you have an kayak and canoe event or race you’d like us to post? Click here to send us all the information. We may post it here on our BornToPaddle.com kayak, canoe and paddling blog and add it to our kayak and canoe races and events page!