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*Spaces are all full and registration closed May 30, 2024.* Mark your calendars folks; we are excited to have another awesome paddle school this year! We welcome both new paddlers and seasoned paddlers interested in growing their skill sets. Whitewater Paddle School will take place on June 7th - 9th, 2024. Touring paddle school will be June 1-2, 2024, at Concord Park, Knoxville, TN. Camping will be at the newly renovated Ocoee River Experience, 414 Parksville Road, Benton, TN, USA. For on the river instruction, your skill-level group will drive a short distance to either the Hiawassee or Ocoee Rivers. Paddle school is a wonderful opportunity to improve your paddling acumen, with some of the region's most experienced paddlers. If this is your first paddle school, please feel free to connect with us at chotacanoeclub@gmail.com to iron out any questions you may have. Please ensure you have the required gear when you arrive (listed below). If you need help acquiring these items, connect with us, and let us try to help. Required gear includes:
The Hiwassee River is a cold body of water, consider wearing neoprene or dri fit leggings and long sleeve shirt on the river. Remember: We don't dress for the summer air temperature, we dress for the inevitable swim outside of our boats! Flip-flops or open shoes, as well as cotton or denim attire, are prohibited on the river. Expect to spend about three to four hours Saturday and Sunday on the river, with plenty of breaks and opportunities to try new skills. Where Do I Get My Gear? We will be hosting two optional and free informational classes on proper whitewater gear and apparel on April 18 and May 16, 2024 at River Sports on Sunderland Avenue from 6:00-8:00 PM. If you are not sure what gear or apparel is appropriate, have questions about gear you are thinking about buying, or simply want to make sure that what you already have will meet your needs - we are here to help! Come hang out with us for a couple hours and we’ll get hands-on with gear and answer any questions you may have…just choose the appropriate options on the signup form so that we know you are coming. River Sports address is: 2918 Sutherland Ave, Knoxville, TN 37919 Meals: The Club will cater dinner on Saturday, June 8, 2024. Please bring all of your other meals, including lunches on the river. Cleveland, TN is approximately 20 min away and has several grocery shopping and restaurant options. The venue: Ocoee River Experience offers multiple lodging options, and tent camping is included in your registration at no additional cost. There are bathhouses and restrooms available to participants. There are also a limited number of hotel rooms and RV parking spots available for an additional fee. Please contact Ocoee River Experience for lodging other than tent camping. A restaurant, The Blue Hole Cafe, is also available on the property serving their world-renowned BBQ for those so inclined. Please see the link below: Ocoee River Experience: 414 Parksville Road, Benton, TN, USA Basic outline for 2024 Whitewater Paddle School
For Non-Paddling Guests Your non-paddling guest is welcome to come camp and socialize too! They must register for camping and dinner below, which does not require a Chota Canoe Club membership. Registration Tip:
Auction The annual auction held during paddle school is our primary fundraiser. The money we earn Saturday night is used to pay for kayak and canoe instructor certifications, cover the expenses to host social events throughout the year, and we generously donate to watershed coalitions for local conservation efforts, among other activities. If you have any items to donate to the auction, please contact chotacanoeclub@gmail.com. Feel free to be as creative or generous as you like! |
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