Getting up early last Sunday was no problem because team BornToPaddle was competing in the 8th Annual Lost Loon Triathlon at Long Hunter State Park, just east of Nashville, Tennessee.

 
Once again, arriving early to this event gave us the race team bib #1. But that’s OK. We’ve been given that number before and we accepted the pressure that comes with wearing #1. I’d like to say we lived up to our number and came in first but we didn’t, and I really couldn’t tell you what place we came in. You see, this family friendly triathlon has no time keepers and no timing chips.

The Lost Loon Triathlon is a fun family event in which all family members of all ages can compete.  Although the race course consists of a 9 mile bike ride, a 2 mile canoe paddle and a 4 mile trail run, competitors can complete all or some of these challenges depending on how they feel. Everyone that has entered this race before knows that you haven’t finished the race until you squeeze the stuffed loon sitting in the tree and smile for the camera!

This is the only race I have competed in where you aren’t going to win an award for coming in first, but you might for coming in last! And your chances of an award increases by the costume that you wear (this year we had bumble bees, gangsters, and princesses)  and how nice you are to the volunteers!

 
My favorite part of the race course was the canoe paddle. If I had more time, I would have liked to paddle our canoe around for another 2 mile loop, but my team member still had to run 4 miles and get back in time for the pizza, cake, and of course the awards ceremony.

The Lost Loon Triathlon is a fundraising event to benefit the Friends of Long Hunter State Park.

Grab your paddle!

Riverfront Park in Downtown Nashville is the starting point for the 4th Annual Nashville Dragon Boat Race and Water Festival. The date is Saturday, August 14, 2010.

The race and festival raise awareness and earns money for the Cumberland River Compact and the Tennessee Scenic Rivers Association. If you kayak or canoe in Tennessee, you’re probably familiar with the great work that these two associations do in the way of conservation and making our river accessible to people to enjoy.

Register your team early to save on fees. Last year there were 38 teams registered to race – so don’t lose your spot, register today!

Dragon Boat Racing is a great team-building experience. Even if you’ve never raced before, this may be the event to consider. Competitive yes, but also a great experience whether you’re racing with friends, family or any group of people. Dragon Boat racing differs from other team sports in that no one person on the team is more important than another. Winning a Dragon Boat race hinges on how well a team works together at paddling in sync at the same time, and how well each paddler perfects the stroke technique. The popularity of Dragon Boat racing has exploded, with an estimated 50 million people participating in the sport around the world annually.

If you’re not a racer, feel free to volunteer or just attend the event. There will be music, art, food and lots of vendors. Watching the race from the downtown banks of the Cumberland River is an exciting way to spend a summer afternoon.

Some info for racers:

• The dragon boat race course is a 250-meter run roughly between the Shelby Street walking bridge and the Woodland Street bridge. Your team will be outfitted with paddles, personal flotation devices, and a Dragon Boat.
• You’ll be racing in a four-boat heat in river water with the current.
• Start and finish lines are marked with buoys. The lanes are not marked but the course is straight.

Find out more about the Nashville Dragon Boat Race and Water Festival, visit our Races and Events Page.

If You Go…Let Us Know! Click here to send us a note about the Nashville Dragon Boat Race and Water Festival and we may publish your report right here on BornToPaddle.com!

Looking for paddling locations in your state?

Search our places to paddle page for places to kayak or canoe for flatwater or whitewater.  Kayaking and canoeing paddling locations are listed by U.S. State