Thanks to Emery Korpi for submitting this event

The 18th Annual Hudson River Swim for Life is coming up on Sunday, September 13, 2009.

Swim, Race or Kayak! However you participate, this is sure to be a fun event for everyone.

• Join in the 3 mile swim across the Hudson River from Nyack, NY to Sleepy Hollow, NY.
• There will also be a 1-mile swim option along the shores of Sleepy Hollow. 

KAYAKERS / CANOERS: For those who would like to participate on the water rather than in it, you are welcome to participate as a kayaker or canoer. These volunteers are essential to guiding and assisting the swimmers in the water for safety. This year’s event is expected to require 150 kayakers.There is a $20 registration fee for all kayakers. and canoers. Kayakers and canoers will receive food and a t-shirt at the event.

Here’s who benefits from this event:

MISSION: Since its inception over 18 years ago, the mission of the Hudson River Swim for Life has been to raise awareness of the Hudson River, promote swimming as a lifelong form of fitness, and to raise funds for the ongoing efforts of charities in the community. Overall, the event has raised approximately $1.8 million for local non-profit organizations. 

ENVIRONMENTAL MISSION: To make the swim’s environmental impact as small as possible and to raise awareness among athletes about their role in environmental sustainability.

BONUS: All those who register during the month of August will be entered into a raffle to win a 30 minute sports masssage!

For more information and to register, please click here to go to our Races and Event page.

To find other places to paddle, kayak and canoe all over the USA, go to our Places to Paddle page and click on any state, or check out nationwide kayak, canoe and paddle events and races on our Paddling Events and Races page.

If you would like us to post your favorite place to paddle, kayak or canoe or your favorite paddling event or race, please use our handy contact form to send us the details.

We are lucky here in the Nashville, Tennessee area. We are surrounded by great rivers and lakes – which translates into great opportunities to kayak and canoe – pretty much right out our backdoor.

This week was ideal on the Harpeth River. This historic river is a tributary of the mighty Cumberland River which flows through the heart of Nashville all the way to the Mississippi River.

The water level on the Harpeth this past week was ideal. We’ve had some rain in the past few days that helped to keep the water level near perfect for paddling.

After renting a canoe at Canoe Music City in Kingston Springs (there are several places on Highway 70 that offer canoe and kayak rentals, plus transportation to and from the river) we shuttled our car to the take out at Harris Street Bridge, and dropped off with the canoe at the Narrows of the Harpeth State Park put in.

Going paddling during the week is an excellent option if you can swing it. There were some people on the water, but for the most part it was a very peaceful paddle.

The Harpeth River teems with wildlife. As we paddled along in our canoe we saw huge fish swimming in the shallows, turtles sunning themselves on rocks and branches, and a duckling swam out to us and paddled along for a while!

The day was quite warm, but its almost always cooler on the water. Huge trees hang over the Harpeth offering great amounts of shade just when you need it. The paddling was easy (we had an experienced boat pilot steering), and the current was extremely helpful in moving us along.

At this level, many beach areas exist along the river. It’s great to just pull over and dig out the cooler for some cold drinks and snacks along the way. But the river has its deep parts too, which are easily spotted – just look for rope swings hanging from the trees!

There were some trees down in the water from recent storms, but nothing to impede the way downstream. I had to jump out a couple of times and help the boat over some shallow bits, but we did have three people in the boat. In a canoe the more people you have the lower you sit in the water. Had we been in kayaks, we would have glided right over those spots.

If you’re looking for a place to paddle, kayak or canoe in the Nashville or Middle Tennessee area, it doesn’t get much better than the Harpeth. Once you’re on the water, the rest of the world slips away and you enter a part of nature that has remained virtually untouched for hundreds of years. The Harpeth is a beautiful river and a treasure for locals and visitors alike.

For more information about Tennessee’s Harpeth River, please visit: Harpeth River Watershed website or the Narrows of the Harpeth State Park website.

For more places to paddle, kayak and canoe in Tennessee, see our Places to Paddle in Tennessee page.

To find other places to paddle, kayak and canoe all over the USA, go to our Places to Paddle page and click on any state, or check out nationwide kayak, canoe and paddle events and races on our Paddling Events and Races page.

If you would like us to post your favorite place to paddle, kayak or canoe or your favorite paddling event or race, please use our handy contact form to send us the details.