Basics of River and Lake Canoe Clinic at Radnor Lake State Natural Area on August 11th, 2019

On August 11th, Radnor Lake State Natural Area hosted a full day of canoe instruction through American Canoe Association. This training opportunity was for Tennessee State Parks Staff from Fall Creek Falls State Park, Paris Landing State Park, Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park, Alvin C. York State Park and two new members of our ranger staff at Radnor Lake. Participants were instructed in identifying various lake and river features, hydrology, paddling techniques, trip planning, and basic rescue techniques. In addition, participants of the class learned how to properly launch and land canoes with float participants, how to empty a flipped canoe, aid floaters in re-entering a swamped canoe, and multiple other skills during this training.
American Canoe Association instructors Jim McCool and James “Woody” Woodall have over 35 years of combined canoe, kayak, and swiftwater rescue experience between the three paddlers. They are all members and have served in leadership roles in Tennessee Scenic Rivers Association. They have provided canoe and kayak river sport and rescue training to literally hundreds of paddlers, and also to TN State Park, and National Park Service Rangers, TWRA personnel to multiple mid-state fire department, sheriff’s department, and other first responder personnel over the years. They have worked with Tennessee State Parks numerous times over the past 15 years providing basic and advanced Swiftwater Rescue Certification for rangers across the State of Tennessee. Thank you Jim and Woody for the day of instruction and for your time!
This was the 4th year we have been able to provide this training and certification which is made possible by Tennessee State Parks Chief Rangers Office and meals provided by Friends of Radnor Lake. Thank you both for making this annual training certification possible at Radnor Lake!