Once again, the Tennessee River Blueway Canoe and Kayak Race will raise funds to maintain facilities on the Tennessee River Blueway, a 48-mile canoe and kayak trail that runs from Chickamauga Dam to Nickajack Dam through the heart of downtown Chattanooga in beautiful, paddler friendly Tennessee!

The following information is provided courtesy of Outdoor Chattanooga

 

Here are the particulars for race day:

When: Sept. 20, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Where: Ross’ Landing in downtown Chattanooga, TN

What: This year, we’ve made a couple of improvements to the race and the event:

• We’re offering two courses (2-mile and 6-mile) that begin and end at Ross’ Landing.
• There are now racing categories for even the most relaxed paddlers. If you just want to noodle, check out the scenery, and raise funds for the Blueway, we’ve got a category for you.
• We’ve expanded our registration options. You can now either register by US mail or online, via Active.com.
• Cost for registration is $30 via U.S. Mail, $33.25 via Active.com.
• The post-race picnic will still have good food and music, plus an expanded expo area with exhibitors from organizations that surround the Blueway.
• We’ll have those great Sea to Summit goody bags again this year, plus some fine door prizes.

Plus: Come very early to Ross’ Landing and you’ll see the start of the Trail of Tears ride, one of the largest group motorcycle rides in the country. As many as 75,000 riders could come through downtown Chattanooga, beginning at 8:00 a.m.

Why: Besides it being one of the most fun kayak races around? Well, since last year’s race, we have seen campground improvements on Williams Island, and before too long, we’ll have new Blueway campsites at the Chattanooga Nature Center and in Marion County. These are the kinds of things that your race entries help with.

For even more information, visit our race Web page at OutdoorChattanooga.com and get all the details. Or call Ruth Thompson of Outdoor Chattanooga at (423) 643-6889.

The BornToPaddle.com crew will be there! And we hope to see you all out there too. Want us to profile your next kayak event or race? Tell us about it using our Contact Form.

According to the United States Coast Guard press release dated July 22, 2008, kayaking and canoeing represent more than 15% of all recreational boating fatalities in the U.S.

Although recreational boating fatalities decreased in 2007 to 685 from 710 in 2006, the number of fatalities associated with the use of canoes and kayaks increased to 107 in 2007 as compared with 99 in 2006. 15.6 percent of the total of all recreational fatalities in the U.S. in 2007 were using kayaks and canoes. (66 canoe, 31 kayak) and 97 of the 107 were from drowning. These statistics are from the Coast Guard’s Office of Auxiliary and Boating safety.

Well that’s sort of gloomy isnt’ it? But there is some good news…

The good news is that kayaking and canoeing are can be… and should be … safe water activities for the whole family. If you just remember some basic paddling safety tips and techniques every time you get in your kayak or canoe, you’re pretty much assured to have a trouble free and really fun time on the water.

Most of these are common sense to veteran paddlers, but you newcomers to the sport (and there are a lot of you, more and more every year) may not grasp just how important it is to think safety whenever going paddling. And let’s face it, you veterans could probably use a reminder! Maybe you feel comfortable in your boat and view your kayak or canoe as just another appendage of your body…so you think it is ok to cut safety corners.

I hate to point out again the gloomy stats above, but clearly safety is something that ALL kayakers and canoers need to think seriously about. So, here are some basic safety tips for kayak and canoe, and really for anyone out on the water is some sort of craft, raft or boat, from the Coast Guard Auxiliary and the American Canoe Association:

• Always wear a Coast Guard approved life jacket.
• Be comfortable in the water, out of your boat.
• Obtain the knowledge, skills and ability necessary for kayaking and canoeing.
• Always boat with a group. Three boats is a recommended minimum.
• Know how to self-rescue. Practice! Practice! Practice!
• File a float plan, with friends, family, or the authorities.
• Bring appropriate safety, rescue, and navigational aids, and more than adequate food, water, and extra protective clothing. Do not wear cotton!
• Pick an activity level that matches your ability, and progress to more demanding challenges.
• Monitor your physical and emotional condition, and watch the other members or your group for fatigue, illness, and changes in behavior.
• Know and follow all local, state and federal laws.
• Be visible - wear bright colors so others can see you between waves or in the fog.
• Carry a bright light, flares, and whistle to signal your position.
• Take a boating safety class offered by the Coast Guard Auxiliary.

Do you carry a first aid kit on your paddling trips?
Paddling first aid kits are small and compact and come in watertight containers. You can purchase a paddling first aid kit or make your own. Click here to browse first aid kits and learn how to make your own.

Do you have and wear a Coast Guard approved life vest?

All boaters, canoers, kayakers, and rafters should were a coast guard approved life vest when on the water. Modern life vests (or PFDs) aren’t as uncomfortable as they were years ago. You can purchase life vests that are specifically designed for paddling. Paddling life jackets and PFDs come with pockets to hold your GPS, whistle, sunscreen, car keys and any other necessities you may need on the water and afterward. They come with large armholes and adjustable straps so you can get a comfortable fit. An added bonus would be to choose a bright colored PFD with reflective strips so you can be easily seen by other boaters. Click here to browse life vests designed for kayaking and canoeing.

Do you carry extra clothing while paddling?

Carrying extra paddle clothing or gear has never been easier. Dry bags are your answer. They will keep clothing or objects dry even if the bag goes over the side. Dry bags come in many sizes and colors. Many come with a loop to attach to your kayak or canoe so if your dry bag does go over the side it will not float away. Click here to browse many sizes and styles of dry bags.

These days it so easy to be both safe and comfortable on the water, that it is just silly to do it any other way! Next time you are preparing for a kayak or canoe trip, or any boating activity, remember your safety checklist, your first aid kit, your life vest or PFD, and your extra clothing.

Happy (and SAFE) paddling!

Got a safety tip for fellow paddlers? Use our handy contact form to tell us about it and we may share it right here on BornToPaddle.com

We’ve updated our Books, DVDs, and Magazines pages with some really great materials for kayak and canoe enthusiasts like you!

 Are you just learning to kayak? Check out our selection of “how to” kayak books and DVDs.

Do you want to improve your kayak skills? We have books and DVDs in our collection that offer great tips for experienced kayakers.

Want to keep up with the latest news in the paddle sports of kayak and canoe? There are some high quality magazines just for you!

Are you looking for the perfect birthday, anniversary or just because gift for you favorite paddler? They’ll love getting a magazine subscription or DVD!

Just Click Here to go to our Kayak, Canoe and Paddle Books, Magazines, and DVDs page!

BornToPaddle.com is also going to begin a new program of book, magazine and DVD reviews. So check back here often.

And we’ve also got a product review project in the works. So you can check here before you go shopping. We’ll review all kinds of kayak equipment - from PFDs to dry bags to boats and paddles!

If you have any books, magazines, DVDs or kayak and canoe products you think are worthy of highlighting, please use our handy contact form to let us know about them!

A full moon paddle is an awesome way to spend time on the water. If you’ve never been or you’re looking for a full moon paddle, the folks at Ozark Mountain Rowing and Kayak Club have organized this upcoming paddle event. All skill levels of paddler are welcome, beginners and advanced alike.

Here are the particulars for the Ozark Mountain Rowing & Kayak Club Full Moon Paddle:

When: Saturday, August 16, 2008 at 9:00 PM

Where: Dale Avenue Boat Ramp, Table Rock Lake, MO (just outside Branson, Missouri)

What: 2nd Annual Full Moon Paddling Trip. An awe-inspiring evening of paddling and fun on Table Rock Lake with the full moon glinting off serene lake waters… A great trip for first timers, beginners, and advanced canoers and kayakers

How: Take Highway 265 South over the Table Rock dam, past the Table Rock State Park turn off and the Table Rock Marina entrances.  Dale Avenue is the next street on the right.  Take Dale Avenue 200 feet to the boat ramp.

**Important Info: All Paddlers must wear a life jacket AND are required by state law to bring a flashlight or wear a head-lamp.

If you want to go on this trip and don’t have a kayak, here are some outfitters that will rent you a kayak and deliver it to the launch location:

• Rodney Wright at 165 Marina View - (417) 336-2811
• Larry Thompson at Bull Creek Outpost - (417) 561-1045

Thanks to Eric Farris for letting us know about this upcoming kayak trip!

Do you have a kayak, canoe or paddling event or race you’d like to promote? Send us the details using our handy contact form and we’ll consider it for our blog and our race and event calendar.

No Passport Required!

Special to BornToPaddle.com
By: Susanne Schraeder

The Calusa Blueway Paddling Festival, an emerging eco-event on Southwest Florida’s Gulf Coast, is a perfect way to blend two things on travelers’ minds today – how to take an eco-friendly vacation that doesn’t break their budget.

The festival spans nine days with more than 50 events from Oct. 25 until Nov 2. Events – most of which are free – happen in the communities such as Fort Myers and Sanibel along the Great Calusa Blueway Paddling Trail, recognized as one of the best U.S. kayaking destinations by both Paddler and Canoe & Kayak magazines.

The 190-mile marked trail is perfect for both the adventurous, “yaker for life� and the timid newbie.  It was created to help people experience the natural magic of Southwest Florida’s waterways, with leggy mangrove forests, more than 300 species of birds and slivers of sugar-sand beaches. Forget The Discovery Channel. Come paddle yourself, one-on-one with nature.

The festival and trail are within driving distance of many major airports, making it realistic for travelers to fly into Orlando, for example, and arrive here on one tank of gas. Or travelers can tack on a trip to the festival from Atlanta, which is a day’s drive away. They also have the option to fly directly into Southwest Florida International Airport in Fort Myers.

It’s never been so easy to plan a trip or find a reason to come. The festival is held during the off-season, meaning attendees won’t have to deal with heavy traffic or high prices. This year, Lee County launched its first “Islands FallFest� to entice fall visitation to the destination. Offered at more than 30 properties, Islands FallFest vacation packages range from an extra night for free to discounts of up to 40 percent and room rates as low as $89 per night.

Some attractions and retailers are also offering buy-one, get-one-free specials during Islands FallFest. Many area hotels, lodges, and campgrounds with prime locations along the paddling trail have joined in to offer exclusive packages for Calusa Blueway Paddling Festival participants.

For travelers interested in leaving the least carbon footprint, camping is an option, both at primitive tent sites and via participating RV parks. Lee County also has an increasing number of Florida Certified Green Lodging accommodations. Many of the Calusa Blueway Paddling Festival’s partners are in the process of reaching certification. 

“The Calusa Blueway Paddling Festival has been established as the premier ecotourism festival here in SW Florida,� said John Kiseda, Chairperson of the Society for Ethical Ecotourism of Southwest Florida, “because it helps visitors with ‘responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well being of local people.�

Many of the organizations that host events at the festival are also members of SEE SW Fla. Events include things to do that will help attendants achieve a “carbon neutralâ€� vacation experience, with tips to bring home.  Several waterway and beach cleanups are planned, as well as a catch-and-release, pro-am kayak fishing tournament, clinics and seminars, family eco-tours, outdoors fests, a speakers’ series, hospitality events and more. Details can be found online at www.CalusaBluewayPaddlingFestival.com

It’s all about enjoying the 190-mile marked paddling trail and attending a one-of-a-kind eco event. Trail details can be found at www.GreatCalusaBlueway.com.

“With Americans everywhere becoming more environmentally conscious while also watching their household spending, it’s a win-win experience,� says Betsy Clayton, festival coordinator and Lee County Parks and Recreation’s Waterways Coordinator. 

It’s a visit to paradise without a passport that will leave them with memories of mysterious mangrove mazes, schools of silver-hued fish darting beneath their paddlecraft and lumbering manatees feeding on sea grasses.

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Thanks Susanne for a great post and for giving us paddlers the scoop not only on the Calusa Blueway Paddling Festival but also on the Great Calusa Blueway! Anyone looking for a place to canoe or kayak in Florida - you’ve found it!

If you have an kayak or canoe event or race you’d like to promote, send us a note using our convenient contact form. We’d love to tell all the paddlers we know about your event!