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 to kick off National Safe Boating Week.

Register here:
https://tnstateparks.com/about/safe-boating-week

Classes cost $15 per person including a free kayak rental for training that often costs $75-$150.

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 State Park
* Long Hunter State Park
* Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park
* Seven Islands State Birding Park
* Warriors' Path State Park

All instructors are Tennessee volunteers who are nationally certified to give paddling and rescue training and are supported by experienced safety teams.
Each park’s event will be limited to 15 people. 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 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 2024 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.

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 Kayak Clinic, LLC; NOLI - Nolichucky Outdoor Learning Institute; Sunseeker Outfitters; Team River Runner Atlanta; Tennessee Scenic Rivers Association; Tennessee Valley Canoe Club; and Tennessee RiverLine.