Outdoor Chattanooga News And Events

  • Wednesday, June 6, 2012
  • Ruth Thompson


Here are upcoming outdoor Chattanooga news and events:

Women’s Whitewater Kayaking Clinic June 19-20
Women of all ages and skill levels are invited to attend one or both days of Outdoor Chattanooga’s Women’s Whitewater Kayaking Clinic, happening Tues. and Wed., June 19 & 20, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Recreation Programs Coordinator Terri Chapin will lead an experienced female staff in teaching basics: boat handling, rescue skills and river reading.

Paddlers will learn on flat water, then test out their new skills on easy whitewater. Instruction will be tailored to students’ abilities, from beginners to experts. Limit: 12 participants. Cost is $35 per day and includes all equipment, instruction and transportation. Pre registration is required. To register or learn more, email Terri Chapin or call 643-6888.

TN River Gorge Overnight OutVenture Camp July 23-27
Kids ages 11-16 can participate in a very special week of high adventure in the spectacular Tennessee River Gorge, Mon. – Fri., July 23-27 for Outdoor Chattanooga’s TN River Gorge OutVenture Camp. After a day of orientation, campers will spend four days and three nights canoeing through the gorge, with stops for hiking and climbing under the guidance of Outdoor Chattanooga’s highly trained staff. Cost is $400 and includes all camping and adventure gear, transportation, instruction and meals. Pre registration is required. To learn more, email or call Outdoor Chattanooga at 643-6888.

Rapid Learning Roll Practice June 12
Our weekly Rapid Learning Whitewater Program roll practice has moved to Hamilton County’s Chester Frost Park, with two sessions every Tues. evening: 5:30 to 7 and 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. (Map of the new program site.) Participants can come for either session, first come, first served. As always, members of the public who want to try the program may visit the first time for free. After that, membership is $50 per year for individuals, $75 for adults. Kayakers with their own boats, PFD’s, paddles and skirts may join the practice for $5. To learn more, email Outdoor Chattanooga or call 643-6888.

Downtown Kayak Adventures June 9 & 10
Outdoor Chattanooga will host our weekly Downtown Kayak Adventures on Sat. and Sun., June 9 and 10, from 9 to11:30 a.m. Open to paddlers of all skill levels, the trips will take participants on a journey around the downtown waterfront to see features like the Passage, Maclellan Island and Ross’ Landing. Reservations are required. No experience is necessary. Cost is $35 per adult and $25 per child ages 8-13 and includes all equipment and instruction. Trips will continue through Aug. 26. For reservations or to learn more, email or call Outdoor Chattanooga at 643-6888.

Free Bike Maintenance Clinic: Derailleurs June 7
Join Taylor Keaton from the Chattanooga Trek Store as he leads a free bike maintenance clinic on Thur., June 7, at 6 p.m. at Outdoor Chattanooga in Coolidge Park. The third in a series of seven lectures will focus on understanding the importance of derailleurs, those funky, confusing things that make the bicycle shift. Bring your bicycle if you’d like some expert advice. It’s free. For more information, email or call Outdoor Chattanooga at 643-6888.

Bike to Riverbend June 8-10 and June 15-16
Ride your bicycle to Riverbend. Outdoor Chattanooga and the Friends of Outdoor Chattanooga will offer free, valet bicycle parking at the south end of the Walnut St. Bridge on the first and second weekend of Riverbend, June 8-10 and 15-16, from 6 to 11 p.m. Park your bike in our secure lot and we’ll have it waiting for you when the music is done. Bicycle valet patrons get their own porta-john and free, cold water. No reservations required. Self serve bicycle parking June 12-14. If you are parking on one of those days, please plan on locking up your bicycle.

Splash Into Spring Paddlesports Festival June 9
Outdoor Chattanooga will host Splash into Spring, our annual paddlesports festival and demo day, on Sat., June 9, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at TVA Chickamauga Dam. The public is invited to learn about kayaking, canoeing, standup paddleboarding, dragon boating and even sailing.  Participate in clinics, demo’s or just come to see what is available in the area. The event is free and open to the public. Exhibit spaces are still open for paddlesports clubs and outfitters. To learn more, email or call Terri Chapin at 643-6888.

Street Smarts Safe Cycling Seminar June 13
Outdoor Chattanooga will host our Street Smarts Cycling Seminar on Wed., June 13, 6 p.m. at our location at 200 River St. in Coolidge Park. Under the instruction of certified League of American Bicyclists instructors, participants will learn the rules of the road, TN State and Chattanooga bicycle laws and some easy tips for riding confidently in traffic. Open to adults and children ages 12 and older when accompanied by an adult. Bring a bicycle and helmet if you want to join an optional after class practice ride. For more information, email or call Outdoor Chattanooga at (423) 643-6888.

Moccasin Bend Bicycle Tour June 14
Outdoor Chattanooga and the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park will be hosting the last historic bike tour of Moccasin Bend of the season on Thur., June 14, at 6 p.m. Participants will learn about the area’s history while enjoying a leisurely 6 mile bike ride. This free bicycle tour is open to adults and children 16 and older who are accompanied by an adult. Participants are welcome to bring their own bicycles or reserve one from Outdoor Chattanooga. All riders must wear a helmet. For more information or to make your reservation today, email or call Outdoor Chattanooga at 643-6888.     

Chickamauga Battlefield Bicycle Tour June 16
Outdoor Chattanooga and Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park will host a free bicycle tour of Chickamauga Battlefield on Sat., June 16, 9:30 a.m., from the Battlefield Visitors Center. Adults and kids ages 8 and older are invited to take a leisurely ride around the battlefield (approx. 5-6 miles) with a National Park interpretive ranger to learn about Civil War history. Bring your own bicycle or borrow one from the Outdoor Chattanooga mobile bicycle fleet. Riders must be at least 5’ tall to borrow a bicycle. To reserve a loaner bike, call the Battlefield Visitors Center at 706 866-9241. Helmets are required for all riders. Additional tours are scheduled for July 21, Aug. 18, Sept. 15, and Oct. 20.

More Events
Racquets on the Riverwalk Jun 7-10
Manker Patten Tennis Club invites the public to walk or bike to the TN Valley Open Championship tennis tournament June 7-10, and watch world class U.S. Open style competition for free. Matches begin at 8:30 a.m., Thurs. - Sun., and continue into the evening. Free bicycle parking will be available (bring a lock). Free strawberries and cream will be served on Sun. morning for the finals. To learn more, email Sue Chamberlain or call the tennis club at 266-6767.

National Get Outdoors Day June 9
The National Park Service will waive all entrance fees to Point Park and host special events on Lookout Mtn. and Chickamauga Battlefield as part of National Get Outdoors Day on June 9. The public is invited to join a guided hike from Point Park to Cravens House and back at 9:30 a.m. and to enjoy artillery demonstrations and guided programs at Chickamauga Battlefield from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. To see a complete schedule, visit Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park.

L2 Riverbend Adventure Challenge June 9
The L2 Riverbend Adventure Challenge race will pit competitors against natural and built features in downtown Chattanooga on Sat., June 9, beginning at 8 a.m. from Coolidge Park. This atypical adventure race will include climbing the Walnut Wall, paddling to Maclellan Island and running the island's 1.8 loop trail. The last leg is a paddle back to Coolidge Park and a mystery event. Open to individuals or teams, the event benefits the Chattanooga Audubon Society and its work on Maclellan Island. Online registration is still open.

S. Chickamauga Creek Greenway Alliance Family Picnic and Free Fishing Day June 9
The public is invited to spend a day on the Spencer farm with the S. Chickamauga Creek Greenway Alliance for a family picnic and free fishing day on Sat., Jun 9, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. No fishing license necessary, thanks to TWRA, but those who wish to fish should bring fishing pole, bobber and bait. Bring a dish to share, snacks and/or drinks and folding chairs to participate in a noon potluck. South Chickamauga Creek Greenway Alliance is hosting.  For directions and more information, email Casper Cox or call 624-072.

TN Free Fishing Day (and Week) June 9
The TN Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) will host their annual Free Fishing Day on Sat., June 9. Anyone may fish on public waters without a license and kids ages 15 and under can fish the entire week through Fri., June 8. Learn more about kids fishing events.

Adventures
Young Explorers at Hamilton Co. Parks June 12-July 24
Hamilton Co. Parks and Recreation will host a special Young Explorers program for kids ages 3 to 6 on Tuesdays, from 10 to 11 a.m., June 12-July 24, at Enterprise South Nature Park. Programs will include hikes, crafts and wildlife activities. Cost is $3 per session and pre registration is required by calling 842-6748. No program on July 3.
Schedule:
June 12         What’s Wild: Wild vs.Tame Animals
June 19         Wildlife Water Safari
June 26         Nature Drawings
July 10           Show me the Energy
July 17           Water, Water Everywhere!
July 24           Worms!

Kids Time at the TN Riverpark June 14-July 26
Hamilton Co. Parks and Recreation will host special Kids Time activities at the TN Riverpark every Sat., 10 a.m. at Shelter #4, beginning on June 14 and continuing through July 26. Different free, weekly programs will feature nature drawing, reading, water activities and agricultural programs. The programs are geared toward kids ages 5-10 when accompanied by an adult. No reservations are necessary.  Groups of 8 or more should call ahead. To learn more, call Hamilton Co. Parks and Recreation at 842-6748.     

Web Hit of the Week
This BBC article profiles a project by moog synthesizer musician Bernie Krause, who has been documenting what happens to animals when their habitats become stressed.
Last Week’s Web Hit
Follow our former Outdoor Chattanooga staffer and adventure queen Minya James as she paddles 100 Maine Lakes.

Upcoming Events . . .
June              

21                    Family Canoe Trip
22          Bat Cave Kayak Trip
22-24
              TN Scenic Rivers Assoc. Canoe and Kayak School
23                    Market St. Miracle Mile
24                   Beginner Women’s Mtn. Bike Clinic

July
1                     
Stars, Stripes and Wishes 10K/5K
8                     
Chattanooga Waterfront Triathlon
19          Bicycle Maintenance Clinic: Suspensions
22          Beginner Women’s Mtn. Bike Clinic
23-27      TN River Gorge Adventure Summer Camp

August
4                      Still Hollow Half Marathon/10K 
11          Chattanooga Mud Run
            Missionary Ridge Road Race
16                    Bicycle Maintenance Clinic: Wheels
25
                    Raft for the Cure
26        Beginner Women’s Mtn. Bike Clinic

September
14/15             
Marie Humphreys Fall Open House & Native Plant Sale
20                    Bicycle Maintenance Clinic: Fix a Flat
20-23              Southeast Foot Trails Coalition Conference
22-23              Skyhoundz World Canine Disc Championships

October
5-14               
RiverRocks Chattanooga
6                     
Swim the Suck
                        Rock/Creek Stump Jump
                        UTC Intra-Squad/Alumni Regatta
            Sequatchie Valley Century
                        River Rocks Canoe and Kayak Race
                        SUP Splash
                        TN River Rescue
13                    Chattanooga Head Race
            Triple Crown Bouldering Competition – The Stone Fort
18          Bicycle Maintenance Clinic: Prepping for Winter
21                    7 Bridges Marathon

November
3-4                 
Head of the Hooch
10                    Upchuck 50K/11-Miler
            Chickamauga Battlefield Marathon/Half Marathon/Jr. Marathon


December
15                   
Lookout Mountain 50-miler/10k


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