LOGISTICS

APEs Summer Kickoff Weekend!

June 11-14, 2026

Ready to dust off your paddling skills after a long cold winter? Join us for a full weekend of paddling adventure and social outings.

Thursday, June 11 | 6:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m.
Paddle to the Grill

Bring your kayak, canoe or SUP to meet with APEs and Tennessee Eastman Hiking & Canoeing Club (TEHCC) for dinner and a paddle on Boone Lake! Dinner is self-pay. Meet at Jay’s Boat Dock, 945 S Pickens Bridge RD, Grey, TN 37615.

Friday, June 12 | 4:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.
Bring Your Boat to Work Day

Eddy and surfing/rolling skills session at Chestoa with Lower Nolichucky Paddle. Meet at Chestoa Recreation Area, 4 Jones Branch Rd., Erwin, TN. 37650. The recreation area is open with a new parking lot, but the bridge on Chestoa Pike is still out. Take-out will be the Sawmill Access, 1985 Jonesborough Rd., Erwin, TN 37650.

Saturday, June 13 | 12:00 p.m.
Lower Watauga Paddle

Join Deb Briscoe, APEs Class I-II Cruise Director, for a day on the Lower Watagua (Class II). Meet at the Wilbur Dam Put-in for shuttle. Wilbur Dam Rd., Elizabethton, TN. 37643. The group will take out at Riverside Park, 501 W. Riverside Dr., Elizabethton, TN  37643

Saturday June 13 | TBD
One-Day Beginner Whitewater Kayaking Class

Join APEs President Brad Eldridge for an introduction to whitewater kayaking. We need to gauge interest to make this happen. Email Brad at: drbraddc@gmail.com. There will be a cost for this class.

Saturday June 13 | 6:00 p.m.
After-Paddle Picnic!

After a fun river day let’s get together for burgers and hotdogs! We will meet at the home of our new Social Director, Melinda Maddock, located on the banks of the Watagua River in Elizabethton. Be ready to share tales of adventure and socialize with other APEs! We’ll have the food ready to go. BYOB of choice! 545 Sycamore Shoals, Elizabethton, TN  37643. Questions, 972.672.3668.

Sunday June 14 | 10 a.m.
French Broad Section 9 Paddle

Run French Broad Section 9 (Class III) with APEs Treasurer Jerry Griffin. Meet at Stackhouse takeout at 10 a.m. for shuttle. Stackhouse Takeout, Marshall, NC. 28753.