The heaviest hardware to be earned by a Chattajack participant since the inception of the event: the 5-year belt buckle. Chattajack has seen 8 racers toe the line 5 consecutive years, submit to Mother Nature’s gauntlet, and complete the course (assuming all goes well for the elite 8 in 2016). These masterpieces were handcrafted by A Cut Above Buckles , the creator of some of the world’s finest custom buckles. They are our way of thanking you for your deep level of commitment,

Hopefully Dragging Canoe’s life story and his final dance will motivate everyone to dig a little deeper when the going gets tough Oct 22. It also puts into further perspective how awesome it is that the Tennessee River Gorge Trust works to protect over 17,000 acres contained in this refuge. 278 years ago a young boy grew up on the Little Tennessee River a member of the Cherokee Nation. He gained his name at an early age. While a war party was forming against the neighboring S

We want to share a couple pieces of history from Mile 6 (“Brown’s Ferry”) on the Chattajack course. Once you’ve completed the 180 degree turn around Moccasin Bend and you’re on the straight-away heading into the gorge you’ll reach this point. It was named after Cherokee leader, John Brown. Trail of Tears 178 years ago this is where many members of the Cherokee and Creek Nations were forced to cross the Tennessee River on their way to Oklahoma. American Civil War 25 years la

Here’s some history regarding Ross’s Landing, the 2015 Chattajack basecamp.... So a long time ago (actually less than 200 years) Chattanooga was a home for many Native American Indian tribes, especially Cherokee. There’s artifacts from the tribes on the islands you’ll see (Maclellan & Williams Island) in the Chattajack course dating back around 10,000 years. You probably won’t see the artifacts but you’ll see the islands and wonder if you picked the slow way to go around them

During the entire Chattajack course you will pass one significant island, Williams Island. You will reach the tip of this island right around mile 7 where the river will split into two channels going around the island. Chattajacks are encouraged to take the river left channel as there is typically less boat traffic on that side but always go where you feel safest. You will paddle 2 miles before reaching the end of the island at which time the opposing channel will rejoin form