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 12, 13, and 14, 2026. Registration closes June 7, 2026, 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:

• Coast Guard-approved PFD,
• whitewater kayak or canoe with appropriate flotation bags or touring kayak or canoe
• skirt if you are in a kayak,
• watersports helmet and closed-toe shoes,
• clothing, to wear both while paddling, and afterward (bring a towel and dry clothes to ride in someone's car back from the river),
• sun protection
• a water bottle, preferably one that can be clipped into your boat,
• and optional nose plug clips.

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 13, 2026. 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. 

Ocoee River Experience has bunk rooms, 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

• Friday, June 12, 2026
  • 3 PM: Set up camp and check in for paddle school
  • Meet instructors & friends of the Chota Canoe Club
  • Find kayak outfitting station to get snug in your boat. Supplies provided.
  • 6:30 PM In-person check-in closes; Self check-in opens
  • Dinner is on your own but there will be a bonfire social to hang out, ask questions, and meet the folks you will be spending the weekend with!
• Saturday, June 13, 2026
  • 7:30 AM: final check-in for paddle school
  • Breakfast (on your own)
  • 8 AM: All Hands mandatory safety briefing-bring a chair
  • 9 AM: Class begins
  • Lunchtime: Drybag lunch on the water
  • 4 PM: Everyone off the water
  • 6 PM: Dinner provided by Chota Canoe Club
  • 7 PM: The Famous Chota Canoe Club Auction fundraiser and the first annual "Chota Flota" awards ceremony! Don't miss the fun! 
• Sunday, June 14, 2026
  • 9 AM: Short, mandatory safety huddle before class resumes 
  • Pack up camp before heading to the river or lake
  • Lunchtime: Dry bag lunch on the water
  • 4 PM: Paddle school ends and participants depart from the take-out.

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: 

1. Ensure your $25 annual membership is current, or formally join Chota Canoe Club by paying your first annual dues. Join or renew Chota Canoe Club membership
2. Then, return to the Paddle School registration page to complete registration. 
3. Sign the once-annual liability waiver. 
4. Answer the brief questionnaire regarding skill level, tee shirt size, food allergies, etc. sent in the confirmation email via a Google Doc.

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!