Bald eagles at the Wolf River in Town of Collierville
#BaldEagle #ColliervilleTN
Some of our friends and customers have reached out regarding the capsized kayak reported on the Wolf River at the Collierville-Arlington Road access.
ANDe was scheduled to meet a student at 2:00 PM and received a text from the student with a photo of the capsized kayak. Within minutes, ANDe arrived at the scene and contacted Collierville Police. Before the call ended, the sirens of multiple emergency vehicles could be heard approaching. In less than 10 minutes, a drone was deployed, and within 20 minutes, the rescue boat seen in the video was on the water. That’s an impressive response time from Collierville Police Department and Collierville Fire & Rescue!
To our knowledge no missing person reports have been filed. Items recovered included the kayak, a chair, a paddle (secured with a paddle leash), and a hunting vest.
Important reminders from today’s events:
- Report abandoned kayaks: If you ever come across an abandoned kayak, always call emergency services. This is a valid reason to dial 911.
- Avoid paddle leashes in current: Never attach your paddle to your kayak or yourself when paddling in current. In the video, the kayak had to be disentangled from a branch, which the paddle leash had wrapped around. If someone had been involved in this capsize, it could have added a level of danger that would've made a bad situation worse.
- Always wear a lifejacket: The vest found with the kayak was a hunting vest, not a lifejacket. If someone was in the water, we hope they were wearing a lifejacket.
With daytime highs in the 50s and chilly water temperatures, a capsize that might feel refreshing in summer can quickly become life-threatening.
As a reminder, always dress for immersion and always wear a lifejacket. No matter how strong a swimmer you are or how shallow the water seems. Rapidly changing situations can cause panic and compromise your ability to respond.
Stay safe out there!
Wapanocca Lake for the second day in a row! We could go here every day!
Cormorants, white egrets, great blue herons, and countless other water fowl were there. The tour was almost cancelled at the last minute due to thunderstorms in the area but they cleared and didn't come back. The temps were perfect and the cloud cover kept the sun at bay.
Stay tuned for upcoming tours here late September/early October when the foliage begins to change!
August 31, 2024 - The Breathtakingly Beautiful Wapanocca Lake
On August 31, 2024, Blues City Kayaks hosted an unforgettable tour at the stunning Wapanocca Lake. The event brought together a diverse group of adventurers, including both kayakers and stand-up paddleboarders (SUPs), to explore the serene waters and picturesque surroundings. The collaboration with Sarah Barker of Sarah Barker Fitness, a SUP/SUP yoga instructor, added a unique dynamic to the tour.
Participants paddled through different ecosystems, discussing beaver sticks and spotting magnificent birds such as great blue herons, white egrets, and cormorants. The mix of kayaks and SUPs served as an icebreaker, fostering curiosity and camaraderie between the two groups. Despite a few participants being new to paddling, ANDe and Sarah provided light instruction, ensuring everyone felt comfortable and confident on the water.
The natural beauty and diverse wildlife of Wapanocca Lake left a lasting impression on all attendees, who were captivated by the breathtaking scenery. We're looking forward to working with Sarah again soon to create more memorable adventures!
Music by: Bensound.com/royalty-free-music
License code: 0QPLVPR2CGC0O8LE
We had a fantastic night at Big River Crossing with 16 participants. A highlight was when one of our guests, the first to spot the full moon peeking behind a building, excitedly pointed it out to everyone. Everyone gasped in amazement at its beauty!
Blues City Kayaks shared fascinating facts about the four iconic bridges spanning the Mississippi River at Memphis: the Hernando de Soto Bridge (the "new" bridge", the Memphis & Arkansas Bridge (the "old" bridge), the Frisco Bridge, and the Harahan Bridge, which is home to Big River Crossing. We also provided insights into the upcoming new bridge, tentatively named “America’s River Crossing,” highlighting its significance for the region.
The weather was amazing with cool temps and a nice breeze. The atmosphere was serene, and everyone was in high spirits. The event was enjoyable for all.
Thanks to everyone who joined us for this magical experience!
Join us next month for September’s Full Harvest Moonrise Walk!
Music by: Bensound.com/royalty-free-music
License code: 0QPLVPR2CGC0O8LE
Today's Hatchie River Conservancy paddle from Highway 18 to Highway 100 was a fantastic event. This section of the river is approximately 12 miles long and offers a beautiful and serene paddling experience.
Participants enjoyed the scenic views and the opportunity to connect with nature. The weather was perfect, making it an ideal day for paddling. Everyone had a great time exploring the river's natural beauty.
Someone left some homegrown watermelons out for us to enjoy. And what a treat! We were ready for snacks and water! 🙂
We were also honored to have guests from Protect Our Aquifer join us. Their presence highlighted the importance of preserving our water resources and added an educational aspect to the paddle.
The next HRC 3rd Saturday paddle will be September 21, 2021 from Highway 76 - Highway 70. You won't want to miss it!
This past Saturday, August 3rd, we had an incredible day on the water with our ACA Paddlesports Level 2: Essentials of River Kayaking course!
Even though the weather was hot, the water was nice and cool, making for a perfect day of paddling.
A huge shoutout to the Bluff City Canoe Club for their generosity in providing a limited number of scholarships to its members, encouraging paddlesport learning, safey, and community engagement. The BCCC's support means so much to our students who are members of the club!
The course was taught by Blues City Kayaks owner and ACA certified river kayaking instructor, ANDe Demetriou, along with ACA certified river kayaking instructor, Mandy McKay. Their passion for kayaking helps promote safe kayaking while having fun!
Students learned essential skills such as using basic paddling techniques on moving water, basic water rescue with a throw rope, kayak re-entry after capsize, and transitional maneuvers like peel outs and eddy turns.
Thank you to everyone who joined us, and we can't wait to see you at our next event! Stay tuned for more paddling adventures and opportunities to learn and grow together.
#bluescitykayaks #paddlesportsorts #kayakingg #acacourse #bluffcitycanoeclub #paddlingeducation #CommunityEngagement
Photos: Chris Counts
Music by: Bensound.com/royalty-free-music
License code: 0QPLVPR2CGC0O8LE
Inaugural Hatchie River Conservancy 3rd Saturday Paddle with Blues City Kayaks is in the books!
The Inaugural Hatchie River Conservancy 3rd Saturday Paddle, organized by Blues City Kayaks and the Hatchie River Conservancy, was a successful event driven by a shared love for the Hatchie River. The event, promoted by both organizations, attracted 30 participants who paddled from Hwy 64 to Hwy 18 near Bolivar, TN.
The event featured notable attendees such as Bob Ford, Executive Director of Hatchie River Conservancy, and ANDe Demetriou, Tennessee State Director for the American Canoe Association. Additionally, representatives from the Tennessee Scenic River Association, Bluff City Canoe Club, and Protect Our Aquifer joined the paddle, making it a memorable and collaborative experience. The HRC volunteer river guides were introduced as well.
Participants enjoyed educational talks by Bob Ford and ANDe Demetriou on the importance of conserving the Hatchie River and its ecosystem. Despite some rain, the event went smoothly, with participants expressing enthusiasm for future paddles.
Safety was a top priority, with safety briefings, life jackets, and experienced guides ensuring a safe experience for all.
Based on the positive feedback, plans are in place to make this a monthly event, incorporating more educational sessions to further engage and inform participants.
The next 3rd Saturday paddle will be August 17 from Hwy 18 to Hwy 100. To register use the link below:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/hatchie-river-conservancy-3rd-saturday-paddle-by-blues-city-kayaks-aug-tickets-931981380397?aff=Facebook
If you have any questions please send them to [email protected]
#HatchieRiver #HatchieRiverConservancy #BkuesCityKayaks #ACATennessee #TSRA #ProtectOurAquifer #BluffCityCanoeClub
We had an amazing time on our "Introduction to the Urban Wolf River" kayaking tour with 9 fantastic participants! The weather couldn't have been better—mid-80s temperatures, low humidity, and just enough cloud cover to keep things comfortable.
For many of our participants, this was their first time experiencing this beautiful section of the Wolf River which we call "The Most Memphis Thing You've Never Done." It's incredible how many long-time and life-long Memphians have yet to discover the recreational beauty of the Wolf River.
We were thrilled to have a couple of local celebrities join us, and we were all excited to spot a green heron and two great blue herons along the way.
The feedback from our participants was overwhelmingly positive, and many are eager to join us for another adventure soon!
Thank you to everyone who made this tour a memorable one. We can't wait to paddle with you again!
#Kayaking #WolfRiver #Memphis #OutdoorAdventure #BluesCityKayaks
This morning, 27 paddlers joined us for an exciting journey on our "The Memphis Pyramid Paddle" tour, exploring the heart of Memphis from Wolf River Harbor.
The cloudy day provided a welcome relief from Memphis's recent hot summer temperatures, enhancing our paddle experience.
We navigated between Mud Island and Downtown Memphis, enjoying stunning views of the Bass Pro Shops Pyramid, historic riverfront cobblestones, elegant steamboats, and the majestic Mississippi River.
Despite time constraints, our group paddled 2.5 miles, capturing iconic sights like the I-40 bridge and the impressive Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid. It was also the first kayaking experience for some of our guests!
Paddlers were captivated by the city's panoramic views from the water—a perspective they truly loved.
Thank you to everyone who joined us for this unforgettable adventure! Stay tuned for more opportunities to explore Memphis's beauty with us.
#MemphisAdventures #KayakTour #BluesCityKayaks #MemphisPyramid #RiverAdventure #WolfRiverHarbor
On Father's Day, June 16, 2024, we embarked on an unforgettable journey down the Ghost River with a fantastic group of 13 participants!
The tour was a wildlife lover's dream, with sightings of great blue herons, white egrets, numerous cardinals, and prothonotary warblers. We even had the joy of witnessing an osprey nest with mama osprey and her chicks. The Ghost River section lived up to its reputation with its stunning scenery, providing a perfect backdrop for our adventure.
Participants were mesmerized by the breathtaking scenery and thoroughly enjoyed their time immersed in nature. It was a serene and rejuvenating experience.
A big thank you to everyone who joined us for this memorable tour. Stay tuned for more exciting adventures with Blues City Kayaks!
#BluesCityKayaks #GhostRiverTour #KayakingAdventure #NatureLovers #OutdoorFun
This past Saturday we had an amazing day on the Hatchie River with 18 participants joining us for a memorable adventure!
For many, it was their first time kayaking on this beautiful river, making the experience even more special. The tour was filled with breathtaking sights, including elusive great blue herons, a fascinating oxbow lake in the making, and a hidden cypress swamp off the main channel.
We were also honored to have guests from the Hatchie River Conservancy (https://www.hatchieriver.org/) and the Wolf River Conservancy (https://www.wolfriver.org/), adding an extra layer of insight and appreciation for the natural beauty and conservation efforts in the area.
The feedback from our participants was overwhelmingly positive. They enjoyed the nice slow current of the river and the cool, refreshing water, making it a perfect summer outing. Many are already looking forward to exploring a different section of the Hatchie River with us on their next adventure!
A big thank you to everyone who joined us and made this tour a success. Stay tuned for more exciting trips with Blues City Kayaks!
#BluesCityKayaks #HatchieRiverTour #KayakingAdventure #NatureLovers #OutdoorFun #HatchieRiverConservancy #WolfRiverConservancy
We offer informative and fun kayak tours and certified ACA classes.
