A Periodic Publication of the Chota Canoe Club, Knoxville, TN MARCH safety awareness and techniques, while being actively environmentally

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Eddy Out A Periodic Publication of the Chota Canoe Club, Knoxville, TN MARCH 2014 Chota Mission Statement: Promote community paddle sport activities, safety awareness and techniques, while being

1 Eddy Out A Periodic Publication of the Chota Canoe Club, Knoxville, TN MARCH 2014 Chota Mission Statement: Promote community paddle sport activities, safety awareness and techniques, while being actively environmentally responsible IN THIS ISSUE: Small Adventures Commentary (p 1) Volunteers Needed for Rev3 Triathlon (p. 5) Feb WW Trip Report (p 2) Ijams Nature Center River Rescue (p. 6) LWRA Blueways Map Project (p 3) Website & Roll Sessions Updartes (p. 7) March 29 Obed CleanUp (p 4) List of Officers & Chairpersons (p. 7) April 12 BSF Clean Up (p 4) Chota Meeting Info (p.7) Elkmont Camping Trip (p. 5) 2014 Club Trip Calendar (pp. 8-9) Membership Application (p 10) DON T PLAN A VACATION BEFORE CHECKING OUR 2 PAGE TRIP CALENDAR! For Small Adventures Check Out The Club Trip Calendar By: Bob Eckhardt This is a great time of year to be thinking of those small adventures that can take us away from our daily routine, if only for a few hours. Our trip calendar and the Chota Facebook page offer some wonderful opportunities to find those small adventures. Next weekend is a good example with several outings less than an hour away: a river cleanup on the Wild & Scenic Obed River (there may still be a rafting spot open if you aren t a whitewater paddler), a touring trip on Chilhowee Lake with Jim Martin and fitness training on Ft. Loudon Lake at Sequoyah Park with Charles Goodson. Please take a look at the calendar, shoot an to the contact person and come join us with a small adventure of your own. 1

The pictures below are from a trip on February 23 r on the Class 2 section of the Little River from the Elbow to the Y just inside the GSMNP boundary.

2 Class 2 Weekend Trips By: Bob Eckhardt We have had a couple of nice Class 2 trips this winter. They are announced on the Chota Canoe Club Facebook page with the timing being completely weather and water level dependent. The pictures below are from a trip on February 23 r on the Class 2 section of the Little River from the Elbow to the Y just inside the GSMNP boundary. The air temperature hit 70 and the water level was a low 2.82 on the Townsend gauge from the American Whitewater website. Water quality was what you expect in the Smokies clear enough to see the shadow of the canoe on the bottom of the river in 15 feet of water. Chota paddlers cruise down the Little River just above the Y in GSMNP outside of Townsend Pete Feist lines up his WW canoe for another stretch of rapids on the Little River in GSMNP. Fashion conscious paddlers will note the color coordination between Pete s drytop and flotation bags. 2

3 BLUEWAYS MAP FOR LITTLE RIVER IN PROGRESS By: Kim Raia (Little River Watershed Association) The Little River Watershed Association (LRWA) is a 501(c)(3) non profit organization with a history of broad community support, an active volunteer base. The mission of the LRWA is to foster stewardship and conservation of the Little River and its watershed. The Little River s originates from high elevations in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park ( GSMNP ), and descends through the communities of Townsend, Walland, Maryville, Alcoa and Rockford, providing drinking water for 100,000 Blount County citizens, as well as recreational opportunities for paddlers, fishermen, campers, swimmers, and hikers. In its final stretch, the Little River crosses under the Alcoa Highway near Topside Road, eventually flowing into the Tennessee River near mile marker 636. An estimated 8 million people visit the GSMNP yearly and utilize the surrounding communities resources. While the higher reaches of the river within the GSMNP are accessible by trail (or by boat for a few adventurous and experienced white water enthusiasts), a substantial portion of the downstream main channel outside of the GSMNP boundary is floatable for recreational paddlers. Not only has the Little River been designated as an Outstanding National Resource Water (ONRW) and an ecoregion reference site by the Tennessee Department of Conservation (TDEC), but it has also been classified as threatened by TDEC because of the negative impacts of growth, agriculture, and industry. The Little River transects a variety of geographic features in its approximately 50 miles, including waterfalls, gorges, and rapids of the upper river; the swimming holes, creeks, and caves of the main stem; and the shady, easy flowing stream that accommodates farmland, residences, and wildlife on its way to the confluence with the Tennessee River. The LRWA is developing a Little River Blueways Map, a printed resource guide that will provide community members and the numerous visitors that pass through this area with the opportunities for enjoying the beauty and diversity of this river. The steps for developing this map are: 1. identify and map key kayak and canoe Put-in s and Take-out s; 2. identify, map, and provide warnings about river hazards; 3. outline river safety and etiquette; 4. identify points of interest; 5. describe varied paddling itineraries, including estimated times for completion; 6. describe the natural and cultural features of Little River in an informative way that will encourage river stewardship and conservation; and 7. provide narratives about the river s history. This map will be limited to the portion of the Little River outside of the GSMNP. The LWRA s goal is to have at least 2500 printed maps in circulation by Fall of The LWRA would like the assistance of Chota members in completing the above listed steps. If you are interested in being a content provider or editor, please contact Kim Raia at kim.raia@littleriverwatershed.org 3

Obed River Clean-Up Float Trip March 29, 2014 By: Doug Johnstone Paddlers are invited to join TN Citizens for Wilderness Planning (TCWP) and the National Park Service (NPS), for the Third Annual

4 Obed River Clean-Up Float Trip March 29, 2014 By: Doug Johnstone Paddlers are invited to join TN Citizens for Wilderness Planning (TCWP) and the National Park Service (NPS), for the Third Annual Whitewater Rafting/Clean-up Trip down the Obed River on Saturday, March 29, The outing from Devil's Breakfast Table to Nemo Bridge, in coordination with NPS, will include trash collection along the river. Some seats are available on guided rafts. Experienced paddlers in canoes and kayaks are encouraged to join the trip. Safety boaters, especially, are needed for the excursion. Rafters must be 18 years old or over, and have a moderately high level of physical fitness and stamina. The trip will include a portage over large boulders. The difficulty level of this outing is high. Participants are encouraged to consider carefully their fitness and stamina before signing up. For additional information please contact TCWP Executive Director Sandra Goss at or sandra@sandrakgoss.com. Obed Rangers Matt Hudson and Brett Painter at Obed Junction with a raft full of river trash Big South Fork River Clean Up Float Trip April 12, 2014 By: Jimmy Groton TCWP and the NPS will also sponsor First Annual Whitewater Rafting/Clean-up Trip on the Big South Fork on Saturday, April 12, This outing from Burnt Mill Bridge to Leatherwood Ford will include trash collection along the river. Some seats are available on guided rafts. Experienced kayakers and canoeists are invited to join the trip. Safety boaters, especially, are needed for the excursion. This is the most rugged and scenic part of the gorge and the one with the largest rapids, including Double Falls, Washing Machine, The Ell, Rion's Eddy, Jake's Hole, and O & W Rapid. Rafters must be at least 18 years old and have a moderately high level of physical fitness and stamina. The difficulty level of this outing is high. Participants are encouraged to consider carefully their fitness and stamina before signing up. For more information or to pre-register, contact Sandra Goss at or via at San-dra@sandrakgoss.com. The pre-registration deadline is April 7. 4

Elkmont Camping / WW Paddling Weekend - April 11-13 By: Doug Johnstone To revive an old Chota tradition from the 80's, all whitewater paddlers are invited to attend an extended paddling weekend at

5 Elkmont Camping / WW Paddling Weekend - April By: Doug Johnstone To revive an old Chota tradition from the 80's, all whitewater paddlers are invited to attend an extended paddling weekend at Elkmont campground in the Great Smoky Mountain Nat l Park (GSMNP). We will decide where to paddle, based on participant preferences and flow rates, with the potential for multiple trips each day (ranging from Class 2 to 4). Bring your bikes or hiking boots for alternative activities, in case the flow rate is too low to paddle. Since we are attempting to reserve campsites ahead of time, pre-registration is a must. If interested and/or to reserve your campground spot, please contact Doug Johnstone at or canoeone@tds.net. The photo at right was taken on the Little River in GSMNP in Feb. Do you regret missing that trip? If you attend the Elkmont trip, in April, then it could be YOU in the next photo of a Chota paddler enjoying the rapids of the Little River VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED FOR REV 3 TRIATHLON The Rev3 Triathlon practice swim and swimming competition will be held in Knoxville on Saturday May 17 and Sunday May 18, 2014, respectively. Chota has agreed to provide safety boaters for the swimming portion of this Knoxville event. Chota will receive a $500 donation for supporting the Rev3 swimming events. For the practice swim on Sat. May 17 from 11 am to 2 pm we will need 10 or more volunteers. The Chota boaters should arrive at the Lady Vols boathouse on Neyland Drive at 11 am to unload their boats, put in and deploy. For the swimming competition on Sun. May 18, we need 25 or more volunteers. The Chota boaters should arrive between 5:45 and 6 am at the Lady Vols boathouse on Neyland Drive. We should be done by 10 am.. To sign up, please click on the link: Please sign up and enter "Chota Canoe Club" as the Volunteer Team or Group Name nformation.. Please contact Richard rredano@yahoo.com if you have questions or if you encounter any difficulty registering on the above link. 5

IJAMS NATURE CENTER RIVER RESCUE ON APRIL 5 This is an extremely worthwhile activity aimed at preserving the local waterways in which we all paddle.

6 IJAMS NATURE CENTER RIVER RESCUE ON APRIL 5 This is an extremely worthwhile activity aimed at preserving the local waterways in which we all paddle. Additional details, including contact information, is provided in the flyer below. Come out on April 5 and invest your time in preserving our rivers. 6

7 Website & Roll Session Updates By: Bob Eckhardt The Chota website is currently undergoing a much needed update by Rachel Elise of Relise Designs. We hope to be operational in a few weeks. Much thanks to Russell DeCastongre for website hosting and support for longer than we can remember! There are only two roll sessions remaining this season March 28 and April 4. We have had a successful season with the Jackson, Pyranha and Dagger factory teams providing free boat demos. Thanks to River Sports for organizing these events! Uncle Lem s has also given us coupons for free boat demos from their store. Thanks Uncle Lem s! Some coupons are still available for people attending the last 2 sessions. The support of these folks has helped bring in 30 new members Chota Officers OFFICE NAME PHONE President Bob Eckhardt rkintheroad49@gmail.com Vice President Jim Martin Photogmartin8790@aol.com Secretary David Frey frey01@knology.net Treasurer Doug Johnstone canoeone@tds.net 2014 Chota Chairpersons ACTIVITY NAME PHONE Whitewater Trips Pete Feist peterf14@comcast.net Touring Trips Debbie McCarter adkjm1@chartertn.net Canoe & Kayak School Sean Coombs coombssp@ornl.gov Safety Randy Bigbee rbigbee@bellsouth.net Conservation Ed McAlister ed.mcalister@riversportsoutfitters.com 2014 Chota Publications Newsletter Editor Richard Redano rredano@yahoo.com Webmaster OPEN CHOTA MEETINGS: No meeting will be held in April. Check the Chota website for meeting announcements ( 7

8 March July 2014 CHOTA CANOE CLUB CALENDAR WHITEWATER TOURING BOTH Coordinator Dates Contact Info March Roll Sessions at UT Aquatic Center Sean Coombs 28 Paddling Time Trials: Downtown Sequoyah Charles Goodson 29 River Sports TCWP Obed River Cleanup Sandra Gross 29 sandra@sandrakgross.com Chilhowee Lake Jim Martin 29 photogmartin8790@aol.com April Roll Sessions at UT Aquatic Center Sean Coombs 4 coombssp@ornl.gov Ijams Nature Center River Rescue Sarah Brobst 5 sbrobst@ijams.org Little River Paddle to Sweet P s Bar-B-Q Steve Kopp 6 sekopp1@comcast.net TCWP Big South Fork River Cleanup Sandra Gross 12 sandra@sandrakgross.com Little River Elkmont- Class 2-3(4) Doug Johnstone canoeone@tds.net Clinch River from Guinn Rd Park Richard Redano 19 rredano@yahoo.com Wed. Evening Paddle from Sequoyah Park Deb McCarter 23 adkjm1@chartertn.net Upper Tellico Long distance Intro Charles Goodson 26 racetosmoky@gmail.com May Sequatchie River - flat to Class 1 Pete Feist 3 peterf14@comcast.net Little River Paddle Fest & Clean Up Kim Raia 3 kim.raia@gmail.com Wed. Evening Paddle from Sequoyah Park Deb McCarter 7 adkjm1@chartertn.net Chilhowee Lake exploration of creeks Iris Leung 10 irisleung@earthlink.net Rev3 Knoxville Triathalon Practice Swim Richard Redano 17 rredano@yahoo.com Rev3 Knoxville Triathalon Swim Competition Richard Redano 18 rredano@yahoo.com Volunteer Canoe & Kayak Race Charles Goodson racetosmoky@gmail.com Wed. Evening Paddle from Sequoyah Park Deb McCarter 21 adkjm1@chartertn.net June Wed. Evening Paddle from Sequoyah Park Deb McCarter 4 adkjm1@chartertn.net Canoe & Kayak School - WW and Touring Bob Eckhardt rkintheroad49@gmail.com Lake Fontana Kayaking & Camping Jim Martin photogmartin8790@aol.com Carolina Canoe Club Week Of Rivers CCC Calendar June 28-July 6 July Wed. Evening Paddle from Sequoyah Park Deb McCarter 2 adkjm1@chartertn.net WW /Touring / MB: Nantahala, Fontana, Tsali Bob Eckhardt rkintheroad49@gmail.com Appalachia Lake Secret Spot Doug Johnstone 26 canoeone@tds.net Wed. Evening Paddle from Sequoyah Park Deb McCarter 30 adkjm1@chartertn.net Swift Water Rescue Randy Bigbee TBD rbigbee@bellsouth.com Mississippi River canoe/kayak camping trip Ed McAlister TBD ed.mcalister@riversportsoutfitters.com 8

9 August December 2014 CHOTA CANOE CLUB CALENDAR TRIP COLOR CODES: WHITEWATER TOURING BOTH MEETINGS ARE LISTED IN GREEN Coordinator Dates Contact Info August French Broad River: Douglas Dam to 7 Islands Deb McCarter 2 adkjm1@chartertn.net Wed. Evening Paddle from Sequoyah Park Deb McCarter 13 adkjm1@chartertn.net Tellico Lake Blueway Doug Johnstone 16 canoeone@tds.net Ft. Loudon Lake Assn. Paddle For Clean Water Angela Howard 23 angela@fllake.org Wed. Evening Paddle from Sequoyah Park Deb McCarter 13 adkjm1@chartertn.net September Wed. Evening Paddle from Sequoyah Park Deb McCarter 10 adkjm1@chartertn.net Little River Protect & Paddle LRWA 13 Gauley Fest Am Whitewater Santeelah Lake Pete Feist peterf14@comcast.net Wed. Evening Paddle from Sequoyah Park Deb McCarter 24 adkjm1@chartertn.net October Conservation Donations & Officer Nominations Bob Eckhardt 9 4rkintheroad49@gmail.com Calderwood Lake Doug Johnstone 11 canoeone@tds.net Chilhowee Lake Iris Leung 18 irisleung@earthlink.net November Pennsicola Fla Gulf Coast Touring Gary Kilpatrick 6-9 GWKilpatrick@misincinfo.com General Meeting: Officer Elections Bob Eckhardt 13 4rkintheroad49@gmail.com December Christmas Party Bob Eckhardt TBD 4rkintheroad49@gmail.com 9

10 CHOTA CANOE CLUB MEMBERSHIP FORM Membership for one year from July 1 thru June 30 $20 Membership Fee Enclosed New Member Renewing Member Change of Address Name(s): Street: City / State /Zip: Phone: (home) (work) address: Please indicate boats currently paddled: K1 OC1 OC2 C1 Touring K1 Other (please specify): Skill level: Beginner Novice Intermediate Advanced Expert Interest Area: Whitewater Class 3 and above trips Hairless whitewater Class 1/2/(3) trips Touring Adventure Trips Overnight canoe camping trips (rivers/lakes) Touring kayak overnight trips Day trips Weekday evening local trips Youth Activities Weekday evening paddle trips Hairless trips Whitewater trips Conservation Activities Safety Activities Canoe School Whitewater canoe or kayak Touring kayak Western Trips Whitewater Touring kayaks Gulf kayak touring Trips Day trips Self contained overnight trips WAIVER: Chota Canoe Club activities may involve risk to persons or property. I, on behalf of myself, heirs, successors, and assigns, agree to hold harmless from any liability the Chota Canoe Club, its officers and its members, collectively or as individuals, for any damage or loss of property or any personal injury or death to myself, anyone in my boat, or any member of my family covered by this membership while at any Chota Canoe Club function or on the way to or from it. Date / Signature(s) / (Parent or Guardian if under 18) Send to: Chota Canoe Club PO Box Knoxville, TN Chota Canoe Club ~ Promote community paddle sport activities, safety awareness and techniques, while being actively environmentally responsible. 10

Chota Canoe Club, Knoxville TN. Established 1969

Eddy Out Chota Canoe Club, Knoxville TN. Established 1969 Mission Statement: Promote community paddle sport activities, safety awareness and techniques while being actively environmentally responsible.