If there was ever a week to check out the Stand Up Paddleboarding scene in Knoxville, this is it! This water sport that’s growing in popularity around the world finds a perfect fit in Knoxville with our abundance of beautiful rivers, lakes and quarries around town. Earlier this week, the KTown SUP Club took to the Tennessee River and hosted a Time Trial where paddlers raced for their personal best time from Volunteer Landing, around Island Home Airport, and back.
Up for the challenge? SUP boarding comes in several different forms like the race mentioned above, casual group paddles, night paddles and even SUP yoga! If you want to give it a try today (July 15), start with the 10 a.m. Paddleboard 101 class at Billy Lush Boards and Brew, located at Volunteer Landing, right on the Tennessee River downtown.
If you have a blast, make a SUP day of it and stick around for the Livin’ Lush Cup, where paddlers from throughout the region will take their chances and race a long, short and “fun” course, starting at 3 p.m. And when the racers inspire you to test your balance again, join in on a City Lights Night Paddle, where you can watch the sun set over downtown Knoxville and light up the water at dusk with LED lights mounted to the bottom of your paddleboard.
Not to worry if you fall in love with the sport – take your pick from a Happy Hours SUPPING event on Tuesday, another KTown SUP Club Time Trial on Wednesday, SUP Yoga at Mead’s Quarry on Thursday, and SUP Yoga at The Cove at Concord Park next Saturday. Each of the locations mentioned has rental boards available all weekend and weekday afternoons/evenings throughout summertime.
For more information on these events, see the Outdoor Knoxville calendar, and for more information on SUP board rentals, check out the following locations:
Now grab a paddle, find your balance, and Get Out & Play!