For the third year, Tennessee State Parks and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) are joining the Tennessee chapter of the American Canoe Association (ACA) to offer low-cost kayaking instruction Saturday, May 18.
The event is part of National Safe Boating Week. Last year, the event trained 279 students across North Carolina and Tennessee in 24 simultaneous Kayaking 101 classes led by nationally certified ACA instructor volunteers. The National Safe Boating Council recognized this effort with the Communications Community Impact Award.
As a result of the success realized in Tennessee and North Carolina last year, seven states are participating in the event this year with 43 simultaneous Kayaking 101 classes planned in Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Texas, Missouri, and Florida.
“Doubling the number of classes and involving more states for more boaters is great,” said Greer Tidwell, deputy commissioner for the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation. “We are happy to host these classes at Tennessee State Parks and grateful to the phenomenal volunteer instructors and our partners at TWRA and the ACA.”
“We want all Tennesseans to be safe while enjoying the state’s beautiful waterways,” said TWRA Executive Director Jason Maxedon. “We are excited to be part of this great partnership to highlight outdoor recreation opportunities and paddling safety skills.”
Participating Tennessee State Parks for the event are Big Ridge State Park, Booker T. Washington State Park, Cove Lake State Park, David Crockett Birthplace State Park, Harpeth River State Park, Harrison Bay State Park, Hiwassee/Ocoee Scenic River State Park, Long Hunter State Park, Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park, Seven Islands State Birding Park and Warriors’ Path State Park
Classes cost $15 per person including a free kayak rental for training that often costs $75-$150.
All instructors are Tennessee volunteers who are nationally certified to give paddling and rescue training and are supported by experienced safety teams. TWRA wildlife officers will be present at various locations to emphasize and encourage paddlecraft safety on Tennessee waters.
Each park’s event will be limited to 15 people. A limited number of kayaks, paddles, and life jackets will be available. For the second year, the partnership is adding an Adaptive Kayaking 101 event at Booker T. Washington State Park. This event will have specialized adaptive paddling equipment available for paddlers with physical disabilities.
Interested parties can register from the Tennessee State Parks Boating and Paddling website. In-person spaces are limited. A free online class is also available on the American Canoe Association Paddlesport website; however, in-person training with a certified instructor is strongly encouraged.
More information is available at American Canoe Association. The ACA is the national accrediting body for paddlesports education.
