We started with 6 but one turned back just downstream from the putin! Off the remaining 5 went with joy in our hearts to be outside with mama nature. We were blessed with a perfect fall day. Sunny, warm with warm water. That turned out to be a good thing because everyone decided to be babtized in the beautiful river. Some more than once! Even with the swims and the rocks this was a great day. This group once again showed me that one of the most important things to bring to the river is a good attitude. This they had in spades. For me the only bad part of the day was seeing the bridge at the end, knowing this magic day was almost over. Let there be no doubt, I would paddle with this group again anytime.

— John Miller

Had an amazing time! The weather was perfect! I can not wait for another trip! I love events with John!

— Jennifer (Kayak Course Grad)

What a day. Started the day with a huge country breakfast at the Corner Market then off to see the river with no water. It is a different animal when empty. The day was a bit chilly but soon warmed up and the layers started coming off. This was a small group of four. Two (John and Dian) were Hiwassee veterans, two (Moe and Michelle) two Hiwassee virgins. 2 liquid logic XPs, 2 SOT's. After checking out the dam and suspended bridge, boats were launched. It was just a few minutes into the paddle when we realized the two newbies were totally hooked on this beautiful river. We had a few swims, a few close swims and a totally awesome day. After a change of clothes, back to the Corner Market for a hot, juicy burger and then the dreaded drive home. No matter how many times I paddle this river, no matter how many new people I introduce it too, I can not imagine ever getting over the joy and the thrill that I feel when we arrive at the Texaco station and know the paddle is starting.

— John Miller

The day started overcast and a bit chilly. No one wanted to turn those boats over! As the day warmed up, the swimming started. Before the day ended everyone had been upside down and out of their boat several times. This was a new experience for many. Everyone also got a chance to swim a rapid and be "rescued" with a throw rope, the switched and got a chance to "rescue" a swimmer. All in all a perfect paddling day. And a special congratulations to David and Traci who met in my beginner class on May 29, 2010 and are still "paddling partners". You never know what might happen on the river!

— John Miller

What a GREAT trip and learning experience this was!!!! I was always apprehensive about kayaks in the past and now, with the proper training and advise this class offered, I can't wait to get out again and maybe one day buy a kayak of my own! Thanks so much John for the superb instruction and for posting the photos!

— Lesley

After teaching so many classes one starts getting a vibe from the group when they show up by the river. I told Chris, our other instructor, that this would be a fun group and they did not let us down. Sure we had a few swims but that gave a chance to teach boat recovery. We had a few experienced paddlers with us also, but everyone pushed themselves and by the end of the day you could really see a big difference in the comfort and skill level that eveyone was showing. Thanks to Chris, Jennifer 1 and Jennifer 2, Kate, Tammy and Abhijit for making this a truly fun day. I guess the only low point was when the snake got away before I could get his picture!

— John Miller

Let's see, water in the river? check Boats on the water? check Butts in boats on water? check Another great bunch of people, another great Atlanta day as to the weather. Everyone was eager to learn though not all were eager to swim. Enven with the drunk college group littering all the way down the river in frong of us it was a nearly perfect paddling day and we did get to practice picking up beer cans, life jackes and abandoned tubes!

— John Miller

This is truly a beautiful river with enough action to keep one on their toes but not so big to be dangerous, a great river to perfect white water skills. We had a fine group, several Hiwassee virgins but I think they are now hooked on this river also. The lunch break offered a great opportunity for folks to trade boats to see what is next on the wish list. The Jackson Rogue (10') was a big hit but then so were the two Liquid Logic XP's. It will be interesting to see if any of our members get those boats next weekend when TOW has their end of summer sale. Janerio, we were a bit rushed and I apologize, I normally drag my feet on any paddle trip I do but the boats had to be back to TOW before they closed Saturday, they were promised to someone else for Sunday. I will not make that mistake again! It might take us until dark to finish next time,,,, Watch the calendar for October, What do you guys think,, first weekend or third weekend of the month to go back?

— John Miller

I had an awesome day! Great instructions, beautiful weather, river was high, people were great! I learned how to get back in my kayak by myself. Well, sort of . . . . :-)

— Karen TeVogt (Kayak Course Grad)

This was a really great weekend, I got to paddle the river Fri, Sat and Sunday. Things on Saturday were a bit crowded with more than a few rafts, rentals and tubes and we had a large group also with a varied experience level, but I for one had a blast and hope everyone else did also. I was very impressed to see my Intermediate Course Grads taking charge of all of the recoveries when people swam, WAY TO GO GUYS! If this river is not my favorite it sure is near the top of the list. We will be going back, soon.

— John Miller

We started the day with throw rope classes in the grass, then moved to the river. First up was dumping the boat, ON PURPOSE, then getting the water out and reentering the boat without ever touching the bank or the bottom. There is a lot of pleasure in watching the faces as folks master this technique, then it was down the river where everyone had to turn over in a rapid, keep control of boat and paddle and recover. Again easier than it sounds with practice. Next was swimming rapids while being rescued with ropes! Finished the day with a leisurely float on down to the take out. We now have another group of paddlers who will be much safter on their own and will be more help to others in the group if they ever get in trouble. All in all a great day on the river.

— John Miller

Good group of people. All willing and able to try new things. I think we have created more aspiring River Rats. I look forward to paddling with them all again.

— John Miller

A very good group in which everyone pushed hard to expand their limits. By the end of the day I believe most were bonafide River Rats. It is always great to paddle with old friends and make new ones on the water. I hope to see you all again soon.

— John Miller