This article discusses several water adventure activities available near Nashville, Tennessee during the summer months. It describes kayaking on the Cumberland River through River Queen Voyages, sailing and swimming at J. Percy Priest Lake, "cat juggin'" or night fishing for catfish at Center Hill Lake, experiencing flight using a jet-powered flyboard at Nashville Flyboard, and stand-up paddleboarding and yoga classes offered by Nashville Paddle Co. on J. Percy Priest Lake. These activities provide opportunities for relaxation, exercise, and thrill-seeking fun out on the area's lakes and rivers.

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SUMMER ADVENTURES
COVER STORY
on the water
SUMMER ADVENTURES

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TTennessee is known for its scorching summer heat.
Fortunately, it also boasts endless water adventures
for outdoor lovers. Whether you’re looking for a
relaxing adventure kayaking the Cumberland River,
or a thrilling Flyboard session on one of our beautiful
lakes, you can find it all within a short drive “east of
the city.” Add these top water adventure spots to your
summer bucket list!
SAILING & SWIMMING AT J.PERCY PRIEST LAKE
J. Percy Priest Lake is located 10 miles east
of Nashville and is a very popular summertime
destination for middle Tennesseans. With over 14,000
acres of water and 265 miles of shoreline, there’s
something for everyone. Water recreation at Percy
Priest Lake includes fishing, boating, cliff jumping,
and swimming. Pack up the car and head to Seven
Points Recreation and Campground to enjoy a day at
the beach. Admission fee is $4 per carload or $30 for
an annual pass. Don’t forget to pack a lunch to enjoy at
one of the many shaded picnic areas.
Rather be on the water than by the water? Percy
Priest is a great place for boating or sailing. Enjoying
the peaceful lull of the water on a sailboat is a majestic
feeling. Percy Priest Yacht Club offers two ways to get
you sailing the water: a six-week Basic Sailing Course
or group lessons with Learning at the Helm (LATH)
every Tuesday, April through September. For more
information visit ppyc.org.
Continued on page 36 >>
By MAKAYLAH EVERETT
Special Thanks to Sailboat Owner, John King
COOL OFF WITH THESE
NEARBY WATER DESTINATIONS

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SUMMER ADVENTURE KAYAKING THE CUMBERLAND
After driving through some beautiful farmland on the way, you can
see the city from a different view while kayaking down the Cumberland
River. For the past year, River Queen Voyages has offered locals and
tourists alike kayaking rentals and guided tours down the Cumberland
River. The sit-on-top kayaks are great for beginners or experienced
paddlers. Annie Klaver, owner of River Queen Voyages, says that
kayaking the Cumberland is a hidden adventure not many people know
about. Thanks to the Cumberland River Compact and other efforts, she
says the Cumberland River is as clean as the Harpeth River now and
perfect for kayaking. Kayakers can choose from two routes. The shorter
route, Shelby Park to Downtown Riverfront, is three miles and lasts
approximately one hour. The longer route is eight miles, approximately
three hours and goes from the Opryland area to Shelby Park. Klaver says
that the experience is relaxing and explores Nashville history. Ask Klaver
how to see the Demonbreun Cave, which housed Timothy Demonbreun,
famous fur-trapper and Tennessee’s “first citizen.”
“You’re in nature even though you’re in the city,” says Klaver. “You
can’t beat the views of the city that you can only see from the river.”
To book an adventure on the Cumberland, visit www.rqvoyages.com.
36 EASTOFTHECITYMAG.COM

4. CAT JUGGIN’ AT CENTER HILL
Located about forty-five minutes east of Nashville, Center Hill
Lake is considered a highland reservoir. It boasts deep, clear water
great for fishing. Anglers from all over visit Center Hill in search of
popular species in the interior such as bass, crappie, catfish, and bream.
Edgar Evins State Park in DeKalb County is a great place to put in
the lake for a day of fishing. With three free boat launches, 6,000 acres
of shoreline, boat rentals, fishing areas for kids, cabin rentals, and a
campground, it’s also a perfect spot to spend the weekend. According
to expert angler and full time guide, Jim Duckworth, Center Hill Lake
is a superb boating lake because the waters are deep, alleviating the
worry of running aground.
“[Center Hill] is the main lake I love to guide and fish on,” he says.
According to Duckworth, a great family activity on Center Hill
is night “cat juggin’,” or fishing for catfish using bait strung between
multiple empty milk jugs that float on top of the water. June happens to
be peak season for cat juggin’.
“Not only is it great quality time for the family but everyone gets
to be involved,” says Duckworth. “I’ve heard about wives who never
wanted to go fishing, but after fishing jugs for catfish at night, they
want to go every weekend! And the kids love jugging for cats, too.”
Duckworth, a fishing guide for 32 years, has created a DVD filmed
on Center Hill Lake showing families how to build the jugs and get
ready for a weekend of fishing, called Juggin’ for Catfish.
Edgar Evins State Park boat rentals include small aluminum boats,
pontoon boats and houseboats. Duckworth also mentions the fish out
of Center Hill are great for eating.
“If you put out 48 jugs, you’re guaranteed to have about 24 catfish,”
says Duckworth. “Enough for a fish-fry!”
For information about cat juggin’ and how to set up jugs, visit
jimduckworth.com.
Continued on page 39 >>

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SUMMER ADVENTURE
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SOARING ABOVE THE WATER
Wonder what it’s like to fly on water? You can find out at Nashville FlyBoard, with
jet-powered flight lifting you exhilaratingly above the water’s surface!
According to Melissa Moore, Owner and Master Instructor at Nashville FlyBoard,
the Flyboard® is powered by the propulsion of the Jet Ski via a special pump adapter,
which is connected to a 60 - 80 foot hose and allows the rider to fly up to 35-40 feet
above the water. Beginners don’t get over three to five feet above water, but she says it
feels a lot higher.
“It’s an easy way for people to maintain the feeling of flying without falling like you
would skydiving or cliff jumping,” says Moore. “It’s a lot of fun for a group, because it’s
usually something no one has tried before. There’s really nothing else like it.”
Nashville FlyBoard offers 30 minute to two hour individual or group sessions at
the lake of your choice. All sessions include a short lesson with a trained and certified
instructor before your scheduled flyboard time and your choice of using the Official
Zapata Racing FlyBoard®, Hoverboard by ZR®, or New ZR JetPack. Moore says the
minimum age to try the Flyboard® is 13, with weight restrictions of 100 - 300 pounds.
Additionally, the Flyboard® is not recommended for pregnant women, people with recent
surgeries or people who are afraid of heights. To book a session visit:
nashvilleflyboard.com/booking.
PADDLEBOARDING EXCURSION OR SUP YOGA EXCURSION
A new and popular water adventure is recreational stand-up paddleboarding (SUP).
SUP is often considered the combination of kayaking and surfing. Instead of sitting on
the board, you stand upright on the board like surfing and use a paddle to guide your
direction, much like you do when kayaking. To try it out, go to the Nashville Paddle Co.
for rentals, how-to classes, moonlight group paddles, and paddleboard yoga. Located
at the Hamilton Creek Park on J. Percy Priest Lake, SUP is a great way to spend the
afternoon on the water.
Nashville Paddle Co. co-owner Liz Veyhl says paddle boarding is great for everyone
and includes a great workout. To amp up the workout, Veyhl has introduced the SUP
yoga program. According to Veyhl, the intro classes and SUP yoga classes cover all the
basics of standing, paddling technique, as well as board and water safety.
“I think some people see photos and think they’d never be able to find their balance,
but with some basic pointers and learning about the right size and style of board, most
paddlers get the hang of it really quickly,” assures Veyhl.
The co-owner says some classes offer more standing poses while others move more
slowly and cater to brand new yoga students.
“As with any yoga class, you can choose how adventurous you want to be and how
often you decide to get wet,” explains Veyhl.
Nashville Paddle Co. donates a portion of their proceeds to organizations such as
the Cumberland River Compact in an effort to keep Tennessee waterways in paddling
condition. Collect a TWRA mesh bag’s worth of trash on your paddle (or on the shore)
and get 10 percent off your next rental.
Visit www.nashvillepaddle.com for information and the SUP yoga class schedule.