Josh Riley paddleboards on the Tennessee River Saturday afternoon.The fast-growing water sport of stand-up paddleboarding is whatever you want it to be.
You can use the big board and long paddle for a leisurely cruise across the water, paddle aggressively for a hardcore workout that leaves you breathless or anything in between.
Stand-up paddleboarding’s roots are in Hawaii, but the sport, which also goes by the name “SUP,” has gone global, especially in the last decade. The sport is like a cross between surfing and kayaking, requiring balance and coordination.
All the bodies of water in and around Chattanooga make this area a perfect spot to grab your gear, or rent it from a local shop, and get going.
Getting started