
The fun doesn't end after Paddle School!
Come back - we will have a modified training trip schedule coming soon
Paddle School 2024
***** May 31st- June 2nd, 2024 ***** REGISTRATION will open around March 1, 2024. Watch for announcements on Facebook and email
Students: Read Class/Course Descriptions found below and click the button to read Frequently Asked Questions before starting registration process. Trust us .. It will help!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS - Paddle School
STUDENTS ONLY: Click Here to Register
Instructors & Support Boaters Registration Follow this link to register:
INSTRUCTORS & SUPPORT BOATERS: Click Here to Register~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
If you want to attend Paddle School just for the fun social experience (!), the fine cuisine, the amazing auction, or maybe you want to bring a guest or non-paddling family member -- No Problem !! Just click this button to register. And of course, if you need to order more awesome T-Shirts, Camping, Meals, Stickers, or Raffle Tickets, place your order by clicking this button!
NON-PADDLERS, GUESTS, & EXTRA ORDERS: Click Here to Register and Order Extra~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Message from the Paddle School Team
We are not yet ready for Paddle School 2024! Our team is already planning and hard at work. Check back about February 2024 for the latest. Please take a moment and read our Frequently Asked Questions first before registering. We think it will answer many of your concerns. If not contact us as shown: General Paddle School Info: PS-Ops@tvccpaddler.com Registration Questions/Issues: PS-Ops@tvccpaddler.com Payments/Refunds: Treasurer@tvccpaddler.com Volunteer Opportunities: Dian Lawhon: sdianlawhon@gmail.com Classes/Courses: Steven Courtney: sjc2020@gmail.com

Whitewater Course Descriptions - Kayak & Canoe (subject to change)
Level 1 - Taught on the Hiwassee River
This class is for those with little or no experience river experience. Students will learn and become comfortable with fundamental paddling skills and maneuvers. Students will work on wet exits (kayak), paddle strokes, eddy‐turns, peel‐outs, and ferries in Class I/II whitewater. Classes begin on flatwater and progress to easy moving water (or whitewater).
This level is prefect for those that:
- Have never been in a boat before
- Have only been on the river a handful of times
- Have never taken any kind of previous instruction
Level 2 - Taught on the Hiwassee River
This class is for paddlers with some river experience, but who are still building confidence in Class II whitewater. Students will build on and refine their skills to go beyond the basic level, review strokes and maneuvers, work on rolls, and gain more river experience.
This level is prefect for those that:
- Have at least some river experience
- May or may not have taken some formal or informal instruction
- Are comfortable with basic paddle strokes and maneuvers
Level 3 - Taught on both the Hiwassee & Ocoee Rivers
This class is for paddlers who are solid on Class II whitewater and have a 50/50 whitewater combat roll. Focus is on more advanced river running skills, surfing, and fine‐tuning your roll.
This level is prefect for those who:
- Are comfortable on Class II Whitewater
- Have completed significant instruction; Have at least a 50/50 combat roll
Level 4 - Taught on the Ocoee River
Expect to work in this class as you fine-tune your skills on Class 2-3 rapids. The whole class will work as a team for boaters refine edging, ferries in stronger moving current, and other technical moves as they surf, side surf, and play in holes. This course is taught on the Ocoee River.
This level is perfect for those who:
- Have a WW roll
- Can self-rescue/assist in rescuing others
- Want to be pushed on skills
Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP) - Taught on Ocoee River at Big Creek Take Out
The SUP class will be taught on flat water. We will cover L1 SUP strokes and maneuvers, safe falling, remounting, and basic rescue moves.
A yoga certified instructor will be co-teaching this class. We will combine L1 paddle boarding skills with SUP yoga.
This class is perfect for beginning paddle boarders wanting to improve balance and skills, as well as experienced paddle boarders who want to incorporate SUP yoga in their outings.
Class will be held at the Private Boater takeout on the Ocoee and is limited to 7 students.
Learn more about the rivers you will experience at Paddle School
Paddle School is primarily conducted on the Hiwassee and Ocoee Rivers.
HIWASSEE RIVER: The middle Hiwassee, from the Powerhouse put in to the Reliance Bridge take out is a Class II river. River Running and SUP courses use the lower Hiwassee from the Reliance Bridge to Hwy 411 Bridge. The lower section is predominantly Class I with two Class II wave train rapids. Learn more about the Hiwassee River here:
OCOEE RIVER: The middle Ocoee, from the Dam #2 put in to the public take out at Big Creek is predominantly Class III with some challenging Class IV rapids. The Annual TVCC Ocoee River Race is held on this section. Learn more about the Ocoee River here:
Flatwater Course Descriptions
Traditional Flatwater - Taught on Parksville Lake & Big Creek
This group will be covering how to paddle safely among power boats, gear, practicing self and assisted rescue techniques, paddle strokes, and much more. Suitable boat types are Sea Kayaks, Recreational Kayaks, Canoes, and Sit On Tops. Paddling will primarily be on Parksville Lake and a Flatwater section of the Ocoee River. No experience required for this class.
Recreational Kayaking / River Running on Class I Water - Taught on lower Hiwassee River
This group is for Recreational Kayak paddlers who want to learn to better maneuver their boats down creeks and rivers containing current and obstacles.
• Suitable boat types are, Recreational Kayaks, and Sit-On-Top Kayak (flotation devices will be required for kayaks that could fill with water).
• Students in this class will learn basic paddling & self-rescue skills. Classes will be conducted in flatwater on day one and then move to moving water on the Lower Hiwassee (Class I) from Reliance to the 411 bridge – day 2. Some Flatwater experience is preferred. Note: There will be rocks and current on the section of river you will be on.
• If you have questions on the suitability of your boat, or whether a sprayskirt is required or helmet should be worn, our instructor will be in contact you to answer any questions
• Students will be expected to exit their boats for several skills and drills, and participate in both self and buddy assisted rescues.
Paddle School Fees
TVCC Membership: Must be Member in Good Standing
Must be a member to attend as Student, Instructor, or Support Boater. Check your current status and ensure your membership is good through June 5th. Guests and additional family members can attend the Friday and Saturday Social Events without Membership. Guests and additional family members can also camp at AU, but must be registered with us as AU requires a wristband be worn by all campers. Please register as a "Guest" using the "Non-Paddling and Extras" link and include any other extras you would like.
Liability Waiver
Please click the TVCC Waiver button to acknowledge that you have read and accept the TVCC Liability Waiver and Risk Management Agreement. If you have already completed this requirement for 2023, the system will let you know!
Paddle School: $60 Base price plus your Options
Online Payment Only. Please email BG Smith (treasurer@tvccpaddler.com) if you need to make other payment arrangements or experience difficulties with payment. Due to the demand for Paddle School, we reserve the right to cancel your registration if outstanding balances are unpaid after 5 business days.
- REMEMBER: You can order additional items using the Non-Paddler, Guests, & Extra Orders button above. We also ship T-shirts if desired!
- Camping (both nights, non-RV, primitive/van camping) $10 per person (Optional)
- Saturday Night Catered Jordan's BBQ Dinner $15 (Optional)
- Paddle School T-Shirt $15 (Cotton) or $28 (Sport Tech) (Optional)
- Late Fees $50 (after May 12 or capacity reached)
- RV Campsites must be reserved separately through AU
Paddle School Registration Options:
The Deadline for Student Registration is Friday, May 12th
The deadline for student registration is Friday, May 12th, or when capacity is reached. We will establish a Waitlist to place Students into classes when capacity is reached or if specific types of classes are full. After May 12th, Students wishing to register may do so but will be automatically placed on the Waitlist and incur a $50 Late Registration Fee. T-shirts and Saturday dinner are not guaranteed with late applications. Late Registrants who are not confirmed to attend will receive a full refund. . Our team will try it's best, but we cannot guarantee that we will be able to accommodate all late registrants.
2023 Paddle School Refund Policy
If it happens that you cannot attend Paddle School after registering, please notify Steve Lamb at VicePres@tvccpaddler.com or BG Smith at Treasurer@tvccpaddler.com as soon as possible. Due to the extensive planning and reservations that go into this event, refunds will be honored according to the following schedule: Before May 14th: Full Refund (less bank fees ~5% ) Before May 23rd: 50% Refund After May 23rd Midnight: NO REFUND

Directions
For GPS: 522 US 64, Ocoee, TN 37361
~ or ~ 35.1227, -84.7070
From Chattanooga (South): Take 1‐75 north to Exit 20 (first Cleveland exit) and turn right. Take the bypass 6 miles to the Ocoee Exit (Highway 64 East). Go east on US-64, for approximately 8.5 miles. Adventures Unlimited will be on your right, about half a mile after US-64 crosses over US-411.
From Knoxville (North): Take I‐75 south to exit 25, Cleveland. Go right, under the I‐75 bridge. After the third light, this now becomes Cleveland bypass (TN-60). Take the exit for US-64 towards Ocoee and go for approximately 8.5 miles. Adventures Unlimited will be on your right, about half a mile after US-64 crosses over US-411.