Looking to paddle in Chattanooga? You should! That Tennessee city has some great paddling opportunities. Just 130 miles or so south of Nashville, and only 116 miles from downtown Atlanta, Chattanooga is truly a paddlers paradise!

So here’s an event that is a great introduction to the city and to paddling the gorgeous Tennessee River:

Tennessee River Blueway Canoe and Kayak Race taking place on Saturday, September 26th

With something for everybody, choose to paddle the 6 mile or the 2 mile course. Categories include advanced, intermediate, recreational, tandem, beginners & juniors.

This event has been going on for a few years now, it is organized by Outdoor Chattanooga. There are some changes to this year’s event – including the event start location. Launching will take place this year on the north shore, at Coolidge Park under the Market St Bridge.

If you haven’t registered you better hurry early registration ends September 18th. After that it’s going to cost you more.

If you really want to go but don’t have your own kayak, the organizers will have a limited number of sea kayaks and recreational kayaks available to rent.

Let us know if you go!

For more information and to find out how 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

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.