Chatt Town Cool Down 

FRIDAY

Ross’s Landing
4:30 pm – 7:00 pm Chatt Skates’ Splash Down
Bring your own skateboard or bike to ramp off into the river

5:30 pm Dance Skates Roller Disco Party, Instruction, and Performances 

Bring your own or rent skates there and dance and skate

6:30 pm H2O Life’s Black Women Paddle-SOLD OUT

Paddle across the Tennessee River in Celebration of H2O Women on Water Program. Everyone is welcome!

4:30-9:00 PM
Food Trucks, Beer and Beverage Tent, music and more! 

Noon – 5pm Coolidge Park Cool Down

Free Climbing Wall, Coolidge fountain, Foam Slip n’ Slide, Fireboat Splash(at 1pm), Kids Sprinkler Run (1:30pm), Wake Outfitters Wakesurfing show(2-4pm), Disc golf, Plein Air Painting, Chalk Art, Fly Fishing Instruction, Intro Slacklining, Kids Bike Playground, Hammock Garden, Food and Drinks, Beer Garden, Music, and More

6pm Riverfront Nights

Featuring Paul Childers Band and Southern Culture on the Skids

Graffiti Wall

Immerse yourself in graffiti culture with this unique hands-on experience.  The community will have the opportunity to make their mark through the art of graffiti on our temporary graffiti wall. Artist Josiah Golson will guide guests by giving tips and techniques for creating aerosol art.

Fireboat Splash

Join us at 1 pm when the Chattanooga Fire Department will show the power of their 24’ Stanley fire boats. During this on-water display, CFD will demonstrate its strength in responding to fires and emergencies from the water. This unique boat can flow 500 gallons of water per minute. The boat will be located between Walnut Street Bridge and Market Street Bridge with viewing from Coolidge Park or Walnut Street Bridge. Members of the Chattanooga Fire Department will be on-site to share more information about the fireboat and have a fire truck for kids and families to visit.

Pop-Up Bicycle Playground

White Oak Bicycle Co-op will be hosting a “pop-up bicycle playground” as part of the Chatt Town Cool Down. Children 10 and younger will enjoy this interactive obstacle course where they can learn new skills and bicycle safety. Bring your own bike or borrow one from WOBC. Free helmets are provided by the Epilepsy Foundation of Southeast TN.

Walnut Street Wall Climbing

Free climbing on the Walnut Street Wall is available for children 5 and older and adults. All participants must have closed-toed shoes to participate. Individuals 18 years or younger must have a parent or guardian complete a waiver before participating.

Wakesurfing show!!

Keep your eyes on the Tennessee River as Wake Outfitters & Pure Wakesurf provide Wakesurfing Demonstrations from 2- 4 pm between the Walnut Street Bridge and Market Street Bridge. Wakesurf boards & gear as well as experts to answer questions will be available in the Wake Outfitters tent.

Dance Skates Roller Disco Party, Instruction, and Performances 

Bring your own or rent skates to dance and skate the evening away! The event is held on the Tennessee Riverwalk. Rental Skates from Pop Up Skates are only available for ages 10 and up!

Plein Air Painting

In the simplest terms, Plein Air Painting is the act of painting outdoors. The painting style is often associated with landscape painting and originates from the French expression that means “in the open air.”

Join members of the SE Tennesse Plein Air Painters as they provide some advice on how to get started, show off their skills, and invite you to watch them create pieces of art inspired by our beautiful landscape. We encourage community members of all skill levels to join in and use whatever medium you would like: chalk, pastels, pencils, paper, canvas, and of course paints. This is a BYOS (Bring Your Own Supplies) event. A limited supply of easels will be available to use during the event.

Fireboat Splash

Join us at 1 pm when the Chattanooga Fire Department will show the power of their 24’ Stanley fire boats. During this on-water display, CFD will demonstrate its strength in responding to fires and emergencies from the water. This unique boat can flow 500 gallons of water per minute. The boat will be located between Walnut Street Bridge and Market Street Bridge with viewing from Coolidge Park or Walnut Street Bridge. Members of the Chattanooga Fire Department will be on-site to share more information about the fireboat and have a fire truck for kids and families to visit.

Pop-Up Bicycle Playground

White Oak Bicycle Co-op will be hosting a “pop-up bicycle playground” as part of the Chatt Town Cool Down. Children 10 and younger will enjoy this interactive obstacle course where they can learn new skills and bicycle safety. Bring your own bike or borrow one from WOBC. Free helmets are provided by the Epilepsy Foundation of Southeast TN.

Walnut Street Wall Climbing

Free climbing on the Walnut Street Wall is available for children 5 and older and adults. All participants must have closed-toed shoes to participate. Individuals 18 years or younger must have a parent or guardian complete a waiver before participating.

Wakeboard

Keep your eyes on the Tennessee River as Wake Outfitters & Pure Wakesurf provide Wakesurfing Demonstrations from 2- 4 pm between the Walnut Street Bridge and Market Street Bridge. Wakesurf boards & gear as well as experts to answer questions will be available in the Wake Outfitters tent.

Dance Skates Roller Disco Party, Instruction, and Performances 

Bring your own or rent skates there and dance and skate. Event is held on the Tennessee Riverwalk. Rental Skates are for Ages 10 and up!

Plein Air Painting

In the simplest terms, Plein Air Painting is the act of painting outdoors. The painting style is often associated with landscape painting and originates from the French expression that means “in the open air.”

Join members of the SE Tennesse Plein Air Painters as they provide some advice on how to get started, show off their skills, and invite you to watch them create pieces of art inspired by our beautiful landscape. We encourage community members of all skill levels to join in and use whatever medium you would like: chalk, pastels, pencils, paper, canvas, and of course paints. This is a BYOS (Bring Your Own Supplies) event. A limited supply of easels will be available to use during the event.

Splashdown

The ChattSkates End of Summer Splashdown is an exciting skate event for brave thrill-seekers and curious spectators. Experienced skaters and riders are invited to launch off a ramp through the air into the Tennessee River. 

In order to launch you must:

• Be 18+ or 12+ with parent or guardian present
• Have advanced skills/experienced
• Sign a waiver
• Wear a helmet
• Wear a PFD (some lifejackets available onsite)
• All equipment must float in order to be allowed into the river (we suggest pool noodles and duct tape).

All wheels welcome: skateboards, roller skates, scooters, bikes

Equipment: Bring your own skateboards, roller skates, scooters, or bikes. All equipment must float in order to be allowed into the river (we suggest pool noodles and duct tape).

Location: Skating will take place at Ross’s Landing. 

Parking: Street and lot parking are available near Ross’s Landing.

Paddle Down

Paddle Down is an organized, recreational people-powered paddle event to celebrate Chattanooga as a cohort river town of the The Tennessee RiverLine, North America’s next great regional trail system.

This Saturday morning event welcomes kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddleboards to paddle a 5.4-mile stretch of the Tennessee River, from Rivermont to Coolidge Park. Participants are welcome to bring their own or rent a boat!    Coordination with local rental companies provides additional opportunities to participate or bring your own personal paddle craft. Shuttles are provided to assist with parking logistics prior to the event’s start. The event is supported by Outdoor Chattanooga, a division of the City of Chattanooga’s Parks and Outdoors Department.

Paddle Down Program Details

The Paddle 

The paddle will officially launch at 9:30am from Rivermont Boat Ramp. There will be support from fire/rescue boat, on-water staff, and volunteers along the stretch of the river. Lifejackets are required for all participants. Participants may bring their own craft or rent a craft. It takes about 2 hours on the water for a leisurely paddle.  The take-out is at Coolidge Park

Parking:

We recommend you park your vehicle for the day at or nearby Coolidge Park and utilize the event shuttle to the put-in.  

Shuttles: 

Click here for a FREE SHUTTLE reservation from 8am – 8:30am starting at  Philip Grymes Outdoor Chattanooga Center. Space is limited; reservations are recommended.  Yellow bus shuttles depart from Coolidge Park between 8:00 am and 8:30 am.

Paddle Boards and Kayaks:

Bringing your own boat: please drop it off with the boat valet at Rivermont Boat Ramp. Your boat will be in the boat corral with event volunteers until you return. You will return to park your vehicle at Coolidge Park and take the event shuttle back to the put-in. Do not forget to make your shuttle reservation in advance.

Renting Equipment: Pre-registration is required if you are planning to rent a boat or board for the event. You may rent a boat or board from Outdoor Chattanooga or one of the other community partners listed below. To secure your rental from a community partner, please contact them directly. 

Outdoor Chattanooga Rental – Kayaks and Shuttle Reservations

Outshine Adventures  Stand Up Paddle Board (SUP) equipment rental 

Rock/Creek Rental – Use code PADDLEFEST and book ½ day option

Chattanooga Paddleboard Rentals

H20 Life’s Black Women Paddle

Black women, allies, family, and friends are invited to join H2O Life for a celebration Light Up paddle across the Tennessee River. 

What’s to celebrate? In March of 2023, H2O Life exceeded expectations after spearheading the “Women On Water” program. With partners and supporters like River City, Outdoor Chattanooga, Waterways, Tennessee, Valley Canoe Club, and REI we were able to introduce black women to the world of paddling in a safe, controlled environment. In addition to traditional paddle instruction, we dove deeper and introduced a course curriculum designed to quash fears associated with swimming limitations and natural bodies of water – all of which have historically and culturally kept African-Americans on the sidelines of water recreation. Because of the program’s success, we decided to offer black women, allies, family, and friends from across the country an opportunity to grow together at Chattanooga’s premier community paddle event ChattTown Cool Down. 

We know from experience, however, distance matters when engaging new populations in recreation as this remains a learning process that encompasses both physical and mental challenges. Our goal is to provide a short Tennessee River paddle to help kick this amazing annual event off. As One Chattanooga, we simply must meet all people where they are while also providing the necessary support and resources for their success. 

Let’s celebrate our success and work together to do more!

Black Women Paddle Program Details

The Paddle 

The paddle will officially launch at 6:30pm from Coolidge Park. There will be support from fire/rescue boat, on-water staff, and volunteers along the stretch of the river. Lifejackets are required for all participants. Participants may bring their own craft or request a craft through H2O life. It takes about 30 minutes on the water for a leisurely paddle.  It is recommended participants have comfort with water activities to take part in this event. The take-out is at Ross’s Landing. 

Event Registration, Equipment, and Shuttle Requests

Registration is required in advance of this program. Please register directly through H20 Life’s website. Click on events, Black Women Light Up Paddle. There is an option on this registration to request equipment and shuttle support to the put-in.

Parking:

We recommend you park your vehicle at street and lot parking near Ross’s Landing so you can enjoy the activities following your paddle. Shuttles will be provided for those who would like a ride to the put-in at Coolidge Park (you may also walk over the Walnut Street Bridge to Coolidge to start your paddle).

Paddle Boards and Kayaks:

Bringing your own boat: please drop it off with the boat valet at Coolidge Park. Your boat will be in the boat corral with event volunteers until you return. 

Requesting Equipment: Pre-registration is required if you are planning to attend and need equipment for the event. All information is included on The H20 Life’s website. Just click on events, Black Women Light Up Paddle. 

FAQs

Did You Know?

The Chattanooga region holds many diverse paddling opportunities for beginners and experts to enjoy. The Tennessee River flows through the heart of downtown Chattanooga and is now a part of the Tennessee RiverLine! All 45 miles from Chickamauga Dam to Nickajack Dam are navigable and accessible to paddle crafts of all types. You can enjoy a leisurely paced afternoon paddle downtown or in the gorge, or turn it into a multi-day adventure! The lakes and tributaries feeding into the river also offer a multitude of paddling options. Our website offers the most comprehensive list of public accessible launches in the Chattanooga region. Come out and paddle with us!