Rapid Learning Roll Practice July 3
Come join us on Tues., July 3, at our new location at Hamilton County’s Chester Frost Park. Two sessions: 5:30 to 7 and 7 to 8:30 p.m. (Map of the new program site.) Participants can come for either session, first come, first served. As always, members of the public who want to try the program may visit the first time for free. After that, membership is $50 per year for individuals, $75 for adults. Kayakers with their own boats, PFD’s, paddles and skirts may join the practice for $5. To learn more, email Outdoor Chattanooga or call (423) 643-6888.

Bike2Work July 7
Outdoor Chattanooga will host our monthly Bike2Work breakfast on Fri., July 7, from 7 to 8:30 a.m. at Miller Plaza. This month, a new partner: Greenlife Grocery, who will be providing fresh fruit and breakfast goodies. Bicycle commuters and all those who wish to learn about commuting by bicycle are welcome to participate. Greenlife joins our other partners: Velo Coffee Roasters, River City Co. and River City Bicycles. To learn more, email Outdoor Chattanooga or call (423) 643-6888.

Downtown Kayak Adventures July 7 & 8
Outdoor Chattanooga will host our weekly Downtown Kayak Adventures on Sat. and Sun., July 7 and 8, from 9 to11:30 a.m. The beginner friendly trips take paddlers around the Passage, Maclellan Island and Ross’ Landing. Reservations are required. No experience is necessary. Cost is $35 per adult and $25 per child ages 8-13 and includes all equipment and instruction. Trips will continue through Aug. 26. For reservations or to learn more, email or call Outdoor Chattanooga at (423) 643-6888.

History Canoe Tour of S. Chickamauga Creek July 11
Bring the whole family for a special historical canoe tour of S. Chickamauga Creek by canoe on Thurs., July 11, 6 p.m. Outdoor Chattanooga will be joined by an interpretive ranger from Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park. Cost is $8 per person and includes all equipment and guides. Reservations are required. The trip is appropriate for adults and kids ages 8 and older. To learn more or reserve, email or call Outdoor Chattanooga at (423) 643-6888.

Free Fitness Classes Begin July 12
Outdoor Chattanooga and Greenlife Grocery will host a series of free, public fitness classes, using the Px90 and Insanity programs on Thursday evenings, 6 p.m., beginning on July 12 at Outdoor Chattanooga, 200 River St. in Coolidge Park. The classes will be led by instructor Paul Mason and are geared toward people of all fitness levels. Greenlife Healthy Eating Specialist Morgan Walley will provide healthy snacks.  No pre registration is required. The first series of classes goes through Aug. 1. To learn more, email Outdoor Chattanooga or call (423) 643-6888.

Downtown History Tour by Kayak July 14
Take a special history tour of downtown Chattanooga by kayak on Sat., June 30, from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Outdoor Chattanooga will be joined by interpretive rangers from Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park. Learn about Chattanooga’s significance in world and life changing events, like the Trail of Tears and the Civil War. Reservations are required. Beginners are welcome. Cost is $35 per adult and $25 per child ages 8-13 and includes all equipment and instruction. For reservations or to learn more, email or call Outdoor Chattanooga at (423) 643-6888.

Ultimate Hike on the Foothills Trail – Information Meeting July 17
Outdoor Chattanooga will host a public meeting about the Ultimate Hike, a 28.3 mile hike benefitting Cure Search for Children’s Cancer, on Tues., July 17, 6:30 p.m., at our Coolidge Park facility, 200 River St. Interested members of the public are invited to learn how they can train for the Chattanooga Ultimate Hike on the Foothills Trail, which happens on Sat., Oct. 13, 2012. Leah Bartlett, from Cure Search, will be here to answer questions about training, fundraising and the hike experience. No pre-registration is required for the meeting. Additional information meetings will be held on July 18 at Rock/Creek and July 20 at Cloudland Canyon State Park.

Bicycle Maintenance Clinic: Suspensions July 19
The Trek Store of Chattanooga will host a free, public bicycle maintenance clinic on Thurs., July 19, from 6 to 7:30 p.m., at Outdoor Chattanooga, 200 River St. in Coolidge Park. The public is invited to come learn how to maintain the various types of suspensions used on mountain and road bicycles. No reservation or bicycle required. Bring your bike if you’d like some expert advice. For more information, email Outdoor Chattanooga or call (423) 643-6888.

More Events
Kids Time Thursdays at the TN Riverpark Through July 26
Hamilton Co. Parks and Recreation will host special Kids Time activities at the TN Riverpark every Thurs., 10 a.m. at Shelter #4, continuing through July 26. Different free, weekly programs will feature nature drawing, reading, water activities and agricultural programs. The programs are geared toward kids ages 5-10 when accompanied by an adult. No reservations are necessary.  Groups of 8 or more should call ahead. To learn more, call Hamilton Co. Parks and Recreation at (423) 842-6748.

C.O.W.S. Need Swimmers and Kayakers on Wednesdays
Swimmers and kayakers are invited to join the Chattanooga Open Water Swimmers group (C.O.W.S.) every Wed. evening, 5:15 p.m., under the Market St. Bridge for a group open water swim.  The group meets every week through October on Wednesday evenings. Swimmers should have a competitive background and be able to freestyle for at least one mile in a pool. Beginner kayakers are welcome. To learn more, email Karah Nazor Friberg.

Chattanooga Waterfront Triathlon July 8
The Chattanooga Track Club and Team Magic will host the annual Chattanooga Waterfront Triathlon this Sun., July 8, beginning at 7 a.m., downtown. The Olympic length tri will feature a 1.5K swim along the TN River, a 42K bicycle leg on U.S. 27 and a 10K run on the TN Riverwalk. The event hosts 1,500 individual and team competitors each year. Best place to observe the event will be at Ross’ Landing near the transition area.

Adult Learn to Row Class July 16-28
The Lookout Rowing Club (LRC) will host a Learn to Row Class for adults July 16—28. Former Princeton University rower and incoming Girls Preparatory School Coach Anders Swanson will teach the essential skills needed for sculling (rowing in a boat with two oars). The two week class will include 10 classes, scheduled as follows: Mon. to Thurs., 6 to 8 p.m. and Sat., 9 to 11 a.m. Cost is $200 per person and can be credited toward a LRC membership. Pre registration is required. All participants should be competent swimmers and comfortable in the water. To register or learn more, email Diane Moore or call (423) 718-8685.

News
Public Comment Requested on NPS Pest Management Plan
The National Park Service has opened a public comment period through Aug. 1, 2012, on the development of a Cumberland Parks Forest Pest Management Plan Environmental Assessment. Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park is one of a number of parks in the Southeast Region that is participating. The purpose of the plan is to identify long-term management tools to reduce the impacts of (or threats from) invasive pests to natural and cultural resources and provide opportunities for restoring native plant communities and cultural landscapes within the boundaries of National Parks.

Wilderness First Responder Course Aug. 21-25 in Sewanee
The Sewanee Fire and Rescue Dept. will host a 5-Day Wilderness First Responder Course on Aug. 21-15. The cost is $650 and does not include lodging and meals. The class will be taught by Wilderness Medical Associates and pre registration required. For more information, email Doug Cameron.

Web Hit of the Week
On this hot, holiday week, take a peek at a cool kayaking run on the Natahala River, ended with a very cool dip.
Last Week’s Web Hit
Is a month long bike tour too much for your hectic summer schedule? Try a Bike Overnights trip instead.

Upcoming Events . . .
July
22         Beginner Women’s Mtn. Bike Clinic
23-27    TN River Gorge Adventure Summer Camp

August
4           Still Hollow Half Marathon/10K 
11         Chattanooga Mud Run
     Missionary Ridge Road Race
16          Bicycle Maintenance Clinic: Wheels
25          Raft for the Cure
26          Beginner Women’s Mtn. Bike Clinic

September
20          Bicycle Maintenance Clinic: Fix a Flat
20-23     Southeast Foot Trails Coalition Conference
21-23     Marie Humphreys Fall Open House & Native Plant Sale
22-23     Syhoundz World Canine Disc Championships

October
5-14       RiverRocks Chattanooga
6            Swim the Suck
              Rock/Creek Stump Jump
              UTC Intra-Squad/Alumni Regatta
      Sequatchie Valley Century
              River Rocks Canoe and Kayak Race
              SUP Splash
              TN River Rescue
13          Chattanooga Head Race
      Triple Crown Bouldering Competition – The Stone Fort
18          Bicycle Maintenance Clinic: Prepping for Winter
21          7 Bridges Marathon

November
3-4         Head of the Hooch
10          Upchuck 50K/11-Miler
      Chickamauga Battlefield Marathon/Half Marathon/Jr. Marathon

December
15          Lookout Mountain 50-miler/10k