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Rescue Rodeo
Learn the essential river rescue skills every whitewater paddler should know. This beginner-friendly course focuses on safety, self-rescue, and helping others on the river through hands-on practice.
Event Details
- Date: Saturday, July 25, 2026
- Time: 8:00 AM–7:00 PM ET
- Location: Hiwassee Outfitters
- Cost: $60
- Capacity: 30 students (waitlist available)
- Registration: June 30 (8:00 AM) – July 19 (11:59 PM)
- Contact: Kevin Trammell -- ktrammell@integratedbuilds.com
What's Included
- Free camping on Friday and Saturday nights
- Classroom-style instruction covering whitewater safety and rescue fundamentals
- Hands-on, boat-based beginner river rescue training on the Hiwassee River
- Catered taco dinner on Saturday evening
- Instruction from experienced swiftwater rescue instructors and volunteers
What You'll Learn
- Whitewater safety principles
- Self-rescue techniques
- Boat re-entry
- Swimmer towing
- Gear recovery
- Whitewater swimming
- Basic rescue equipment and when to use it
This is a skills course—not a normal river trip. You'll spend the morning in classroom instruction and the afternoon practicing rescue techniques on the Hiwassee River.
Saturday Schedule
- 8:00–8:30 AM: Check-in
- 8:30 AM: Classroom instruction at Hiwassee Outfitters
- Afternoon: On-river rescue practice
- Evening: Catered dinner provided
Required Skills
Participants must:
- Be able to swim
- Perform an unassisted wet exit
- Comfortably paddle Class I–II whitewater (Hiwassee)
What to Bring
Paddling Gear
- Whitewater kayak
- Paddle
- Spray skirt
- PFD
- Whitewater helmet
Clothing
- Dress for repeated swims (the Hiwassee is cold)
- You'll have time to change after the morning classroom session.
Food & Miscellaneous
- Lunch
- Water for the day
- Camp chair
- Sunscreen
- Bug spray
Camping
TVCC has reserved campsites at Hiwassee Outfitters. Participants may camp Friday and Saturday night at no additional cost.
Registration & Refunds
- You must be logged into your TVCC account before registering.
- Students must register online. Walk-on students will not be allowed.
- If you need to cancel, contact TVCC Treasurer Mia Goodwin (treasurer@tvccpaddler.org) before July 19th to receive a refund.
- No-shows who do not cancel before registration closes are not eligible for a refund.
Eligibility
This event is open to TVCC members only and is not available to One-Time Guests.
Not a member yet? Membership is only $20 (Individual) or $25 (Family) and can be purchased before registering.