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Mark your calendars folks; we are excited to have another awesome paddle school this year! Whitewater & Touring Paddle School will take place together on June 6, 7, and 8, 2025. Registration begins March 22, 2025 and closes June 1, 2025; or until classes are full, whichever comes first. We welcome both new paddlers and seasoned paddlers interested in growing their skill sets. Base camp will be at Ocoee River Experience, 414 Parksville Road, Benton, TN, USA. For instruction on the water, your skill-level group will drive a short distance to either the Hiawassee or Ocoee Rivers or Parksville Lake. 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. We want you on the water with us and will help make that happen. 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 water, with plenty of breaks and opportunities to try new skills. Meals: The Club will cater dinner on Saturday, June 7, 2025. Please bring all of your other meals, including lunches on the river. The campground restaurant, Sugarloaf Bar & Grill, serves cooked-to-order meals and beer on tap. Cleveland, TN is approximately 20 min away and has several grocery shopping and restaurant options. Lodging Options: Tent camping is included in your registration at no additional cost. There is a bathhouses and restrooms available near the tent camping area. New this year: The Bunkhouse! Leave your tent at home, and reserve a bunk in the air-conditioned bunkhouse. There are 11 rooms with four beds each, a ceiling fan, and power outlets. Restroom facilities are a short walk away. Opt for a communal experience and reserve one twin bed, or reserve four beds to have the room to yourself. Bring your own bedding; linens are not provided. Reserve your bunk with paddle school registration. Ocoee River Experience has hotel rooms and RV parking spots for an additional fee; make these reservations directly with Ocoee River Experience. Ocoee River Experience: 414 Parksville Road, Benton, TN, USA Basic itinerary for Touring and 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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