Here are upcoming outdoor Chattanooga news and events:
Rapid Learning Roll Practice, July 10
Come join us for our weekly Rapid Learning Whitewater Program roll practice, this evening, Tues., July 10, at
Hamilton County’s Chester Frost Park. Two sessions: 5:30 to 7 and 7 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
(423) 643-6888.
Street Smarts Cycling Seminar July 11
The public is invited to our free, monthly
Street Smarts Cycling Seminar on Wed., July 11, 6 p.m. at Outdoor Chattanooga, 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.
Free Fitness Classes Begin This Thurs., July 12
Outdoor Chattanooga and Greenlife Grocery will host a series of
free, public fitness classes, using the Px90 and Insanity programs on Thursday evenings, 6 p.m., beginning on July 12 at Outdoor Chattanooga, 200 River St. in Coolidge Park. The classes will be led by instructor Paul Mason and are geared toward people of all fitness levels. Greenlife Healthy Eating Specialist Morgan Walley will provide healthy snacks. No pre registration is required. The first series of classes goes through Aug. 1. To learn more,
email Outdoor Chattanooga or call (423) 643-6888.
Downtown History Tour by Kayak July 14
Take a
special history tour of downtown Chattanooga by kayak on Sat., June 30, from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Outdoor Chattanooga will be joined by interpretive rangers from Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park. Learn about Chattanooga’s significance in world and life changing events, like the Trail of Tears and the Civil War. Reservations are required. Beginners are welcome. Cost is $35 per adult and $25 per child ages 8-13 and includes all equipment and instruction. For reservations or to learn more,
email or call Outdoor Chattanooga at (423) 643-6888.
Downtown Kayak Adventure July 15
Outdoor Chattanooga will host our weekly
Downtown Kayak Adventure on Sun., July 15, from 9 to11:30 a.m. The beginner friendly trips take paddlers around 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 (423) 643-6888.
Ultimate Hike on the Foothills Trail – Information Meeting July 17
Outdoor Chattanooga will host a public meeting about the
Ultimate Hike, a 28.3 mile hike benefitting Cure Search for Children’s Cancer, on Tues., July 17, 6:30 p.m., at our Coolidge Park facility, 200 River St. Interested members of the public are invited to learn how they can train for the
Chattanooga Ultimate Hike on the Foothills Trail, which happens on Sat., Oct. 13, 2012. Leah Bartlett, from Cure Search, will be here to answer questions about training, fundraising and the hike experience. No pre-registration is required for the meeting. Additional information meetings will be held on July 18 at Rock/Creek and July 20 at Cloudland Canyon State Park.
Bicycle Maintenance Clinic: Suspensions July 19
The Trek Store of Chattanooga will host a free, public
bicycle maintenance clinic on Thurs., July 19, from 6 to 7:30 p.m., at Outdoor Chattanooga, 200 River St. in Coolidge Park. The public is invited to come learn how to maintain the various types of suspensions used on mountain and road bicycles. No reservation or bicycle required. Bring your bike if you’d like some expert advice. For more information, email Outdoor Chattanooga or call
(423) 643-6888.
More Events
Chattanooga Audubon Society's Birding 101 July 11 and 14
The
Chattanooga Audubon Society will host beginning birding sessions for the public on
Wed., July 11, from 7 to 8:30 a.m. and
Sat., July 14, from 9 to 11 a.m. at Renaissance Park shelter on Manufacturer's Rd. Bring binoculars and birding field guides, if you have them. Renaissance Park has abundant songbirds, including special visitors like Indigo Buntings and Orchard Orioles. If raining, bring a rain jacket or umbrella. The event happens rain or shine.
Hiwassee Flat Water Kayak Trip with TN Wild July 15
TN Wild and Kayaking Plus will host a 12 mile flat water kayaking trip on the Hiwassee River this Sat., July 15. The afternoon trip costs $30 and includes all equipment and shuttle. Registration is required. To learn more,
email or call Jeff Hunter at
(423) 322-7866.
Beginner Women’s Mtn. Bike Clinic July 22
Cyclist Beth Miller will host the second in her series of
beginner mountain bike clinics, just for women, on Sun., July 22, 2 p.m., at Harrison Bay State Park. Miller will instruct the class on shifting, braking, climbing and descending on the state park's beginner friendly trail. Participants must have a mountain bicycle and helmet, and appropriate footwear. Bring enough water and snacks to keep going for a two hour ride. A folding chair and towel are also recommended.
Email Beth Miller by July 20 to attend. There will be one more clinic on Aug. 26.
Audubon Acres Owl Prowl July 28
The
Chattanooga Audubon Society will host a special owl prowl at Audubon Acres on Sat., July 28, from 8 to 10 p.m. Participants will receive a short review of common owl calls, followed by a night time walk on the Audubon Acres trails to listed for birds. Bring a flashlight and comfortable walking whoes. Cost is $10 ($5 for non-members). Registration is required by emailing
ksimpson@chaas.org.
News
Public Comment Requested on NPS Pest Management Plan
The National Park Service has opened a public comment period through Aug. 1, 2012, on the development of a
Cumberland Parks Forest Pest Management Plan Environmental Assessment. Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park is one of a number of parks in the Southeast Region that is participating. The purpose of the plan is to identify long-term management tools to reduce the impacts of (or threats from) invasive pests to natural and cultural resources and provide opportunities for restoring native plant communities and cultural landscapes within the boundaries of National Parks.
Web Hit of the Week
Payton’s story.
Last Week’s Web Hit
On this hot, holiday week, take a peek at a
cool kayaking run on the Natahala River, ended with a very cool dip.
Upcoming Events . . .
July
23-27 TN River Gorge Adventure Summer Camp
August
4 Still Hollow Half Marathon/10K
CANC Family Mud Day
11 Chattanooga Mud Run
Missionary Ridge Road Race
16 Bicycle Maintenance Clinic: Wheels
24-26 Outdoor Knoxfest
25 Raft for the Cure
26 Beginner Women’s Mtn. Bike Clinic
September
20 Bicycle Maintenance Clinic: Fix a Flat
20-23 Southeast Foot Trails Coalition Conference
21-23 Marie Humphreys Fall Open House & Native Plant Sale
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