On the Water's Edge

Summer and water activities go hand-in-hand. Beyond the fun of splashing into the pool and the comfort of dipping your feet into a cool mountain stream, Blackberry offers stand up paddleboarding, kayaking and canoeing to get our guests out on the water, paddles in hand, for a beautiful adventure in the mountains.

With a range of options fit for any experience level, guests can try something new in a supportive environment, and seasoned paddlers can take off and enjoy new waters. Our guides ensure that everyone feels confident and comfortable, no matter which adventure you choose to take. Plus, you get to enjoy your activity with amazing views! Getting out onto the lakes and rivers in our area immerses paddlers in nature and the surrounding views of the Great Smoky Mountains.

Never had the opportunity to enjoy one of our paddle sport activities? Unaware of what each activity entails? Adventure Manager Benjy Darnell answers a few questions about what can be expected while participating in paddleboarding, kayaking or canoeing at Blackberry, as well as addressing some common fears and the reward received after facing them.

When a guest arrives to paddleboard, canoe or kayak, what can they expect?
First, before we go to the water, we provide a general overview of the activity. This overview contains instructions on what to expect and some practice on land before we move to the water. We also go over equipment descriptions and how to use them, risk management and rescue options, paddle strokes and the paddling environment.

Speaking of paddling environment, where do these activities take place?
Longer Blackberry paddling activities take place on the lakes and rivers included in the Little Tennessee River Basin, located just off the Foothills Parkway and surrounded by the Great Smoky Mountains: areas such as Chilhowee Lake, Abram’s Creek, Panther Creek, Tellico Lake and more. Shorter Blackberry paddling activities, the ones tailored more for families with young children, take place on the Little River in Walland. This includes a flat-water area with beautiful views of the mountains and plenty of opportunities for views of local blooms and wildlife.

What are some tips and tricks for keeping your balance when you’re trying out paddle sports?
The most important tip is to take your time. For paddleboarding, start by just sitting down and paddling slowly before immediately standing up and rushing yourself. Once you feel comfortable, paddle from your knees and slowly start to stand. The progression from sitting to standing will help you feel more confident and in control, which will make your success in the activity more fun. Another great way to ensure you enjoy the activity, and that it’s successful, is to be mindful of your strokes. Dip the blade fully in the water and take a long intentional stroke instead of full blunt quick strokes. These long, intentional strokes will use your large back muscles rather than just your arms, which can give out quickly and make you tired. When kayaking or canoeing, it’s important to know the proper way of picking up, carrying and setting up your kayak or canoe in the water, as well as the different signals used for communication on the water, because sometimes you can drift far from those in your group. Don’t worry! These are taught during our instruction and overview of the activity.

What are some common fears or hesitations guests seem to have when participating in any of the three paddle sport activities? How can we help them overcome these?
The most common fears we usually hear are:

1. Fear of falling into the water and not being able to get back in/on the boat or board
2. Fear of being in a small boat with no way out if something goes wrong
3. Fear of what is under the water
4. Fear of failure and embarrassment

The best way we can help them overcome these fears and hesitations, is reassurance and instruction. For falling, the “what if something goes wrong” fears and the fear of what is under the water, we provide the proper instructions and background information given before the activities take place. We give our guests a quick introduction of where we are, the local wildlife and sights they may encounter, and step-by-step instructions for success in the activity. We reassure guests that we are here for assistance and aid if something were to happen, and have the necessary knowledge and skills to tackle issues at hand, but to take everything at the pace in which they are most comfortable.

What is one of your favorite guest experiences with these activities where you felt proud of yourself and the guest?
Last year, there was a paddleboarding trip taken with a husband and a wife. The wife was a little more confident in the activity than he was, and she progressed very quickly to standing up and getting a good feel for paddleboarding. He was a bit timid and didn’t feel like standing, though it was obvious he wanted to try. As he and I continued paddling, we began to have deeper conversations where he shared his fears and anxieties and how one of them was water. We both understood that he would try to stand, at his own pace, if he ever decided during the trip that he wanted to. We were nearing the end of the trip, and as we began paddling back to the dock, he made the decision to stand up and paddle all the way back in. He was so proud of himself, and his wife was as well. This was a very meaningful trip because it was a great reminder of why I love working in this field. Yes, the outdoors and the activities are always great, but it is so much more meaningful when opportunities like this remind us of our true selves and break us down to our foundations. The guests we get to share these events with truly make the biggest difference in it all.