'Kayaking 101' Instruction To Kick Off National Safe Boating Week

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.

The classes are made available by certified instructor volunteers, safety boaters and equipment donations from many organizations, including Tennessee State Parks. These organizations include: Appalachian Paddling Enthusiasts; Blues City Kayaks; Bluff City Canoe Club; Catalyst Sports; Chattanooga Therapeutic Recreation Services; Chota Canoe Club; East Tennessee Whitewater Club; Knoxville Kayaking Clinic; Nolichucky Outdoor Learning Institute; Sunseeker Outfitters; Team River Runner-Atlanta; Tennessee Scenic Rivers Association; Tennessee Valley Canoe Club; and Tennessee RiverLine.

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.