When you come to Chattanooga, TN as a visitor there are many common tourist attractions like the Chattanooga Choo Choo, Tennessee River Gorge Explorer and Rock City.  Some choose to hike the foothills of the Appalachian's or visit a historic battlefield. Others prefer to take it slow and visit a museum like the Hunter Art gallery. Every attraction has a different draw and flavor to it.  If you want to get out and enjoy nature in Chattanooga then you should consider a water sport (especially if it is a hot summer day). If you're interested in doing something a bit different we would highly recommend stand up surfing or SUP (Stand up paddle boarding) on the Tennessee River.

SUPing on the flat water in downtown Chattanooga can be an unforgettable experience.  Being on the water is one of the most unique ways to view the city.  At L2 Outside we offer a low barrier to entry on the river. We provide paddle board rentals and kayak rentals. All you have to do is sign up, fill out a liability waiver, listen to our introductory tips, and then hop on a board.  For beginners we are available to offer additional instruction and tips.  In fact, if you're interested, we offer beginner courses to help you master your form.  

Once you have a stable base and start to head up stream you will go under three of the downtown bridges - Walnut, Market, and Veterans.  Each bridge is unique and historical. If you have never paddled under any of these bridges you will be amazed at how overwhelming the experience can be as you notice the sheer size and magnitude of each structure. 

As you approach the Veterans Bridge you will encounter Maclellan Island. Maclellan Island, which is also known as Audubon Island. The island is a total of 18 acres with roughly 1.5 miles of walking trails. One the island keep your eyes open for muskrats, beaver, rabbit, fox and turtles.  If you're lucky you may see a blue heron.  The island is open for camping if you apply for a permit.  At the south tip of the island locals and tourist alike pull up at the dock and enjoy the slack line.

 Once you're done playing on the island you can head over to the bluffs under the Hunter Art Museum and try your hand at bouldering.  The rock face here is steep and challenging.  Be careful to check the water depth before you climb to ensure that the depth is not too shallow or obstructed with debris.

After you have thoroughly enjoyed yourself playing on the river it is time to head back.  The float back with the currents assistance is equally enjoyable and relaxing.  Depending on the river flow you can float back down to our dock in roughly 20 minutes.  Questions about this experience?  Just ask in the comment section below.

One of the common issues we encounter during the course of working with a wide variety of visitors is improper paddle technique.  

At first glance is it intuitive to grab the paddle with the blade bent toward you and dig this end of the blade into the water.  We see paddlers constantly making this mistake. 

Improve Your Paddle Stroke Technique

While paddling on flat water you want to stand upright with the blade facing away from your body.  This will allow you to develop more speed, efficiency and control. When you're nearing the end of your stroke this paddle technique will not create as much resistance and allow you to generate more speed.  Check out the image below to review proper SUP technique.

For more tips and pointers on paddle surfing contact us to schedule a SUP 101 class with our rental manager and long-time surfer, Jacob Timpa.