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Join the Hellbender 20-Miler Relay Canoe Race and experience Tennessee’s rivers like never before. This unique team paddle event combines adventure, competition, and beautiful waterscapes.
Join the Hellbender 20-Miler Relay Canoe Race and experience Tennessee’s rivers like never before. This unique team paddle event combines adventure, competition, and beautiful waterscapes.
Book with Headwaters Outfitters
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Headwaters Outfitters · Dandridge, Tennessee
The Hellbender 20-Miler Relay Canoe Race offers a thrilling and unique outdoor adventure on the rivers of Tennessee, organized by Headwaters Outfitters. This relay-style canoe race challenges teams to paddle a 20-mile stretch, combining endurance, teamwork, and a love for the water. Unlike a typical race, the relay format divides the distance among team members, making it accessible whether you’re an experienced paddler or new to canoe racing. The river winds through scenic landscapes featuring lush forests, rocky bluffs, and occasional wildlife sightings—including the elusive hellbender salamander, which inspired the race’s name. Participants enjoy the camaraderie of competition alongside the peacefulness of the river, making it a memorable day outdoors. Safety is prioritized with detailed briefings and support from seasoned guides. Whether you join to compete fiercely or just enjoy the river experience, the Hellbender Relay showcases Tennessee’s natural beauty and offers a fresh way to embrace paddling adventure. Headwaters Outfitters ensures every detail is covered, from canoe rentals to race logistics, providing a smooth and energizing event. It’s perfect for groups looking for an active challenge or outdoor enthusiasts seeking a new way to explore the region’s rivers.
moderate.
3–6 hours.
Participants should have moderate endurance and be comfortable paddling for several miles.
While prior experience helps, Headwaters Outfitters provides guidance and safety briefings suitable for paddlers of all skill levels.
Safety briefings, life jacket requirements, and race marshals on the river ensure participant safety throughout the event.
Yes, Headwaters Outfitters offers canoe and gear rentals so you don’t need to bring your own equipment.
Participants should be at least 12 years old and comfortable with moderate physical activity; children under 12 should be discussed with organizers.
Restrooms are available at the start and finish areas, but there are limited facilities along the river itself.
Bring sunscreen, water, snacks, appropriate clothing, and a small first aid kit to stay comfortable and safe.
The Hellbender salamander is an ancient amphibian native to the region’s rivers, symbolizing the area's rich aquatic biodiversity.
Participants are encouraged to follow Leave No Trace principles to protect this delicate river ecosystem and support local conservation efforts.
Headwaters Outfitters, based in Rosman, NC, operates guided fishing, paddling, camping and outdoor education on the French Broad River and surrounding lakes. The outfitter offers a wide range of experiences including guided fly-fishing lessons, trout wade trips on private waters, smallmouth and bass float trips, musky targeting adventures, and multi-hour self-guided paddling options like Hap Simpson and Island Ford runs. Classes and workshops include Fly Fishing Foundations, Advanced Casting, Spey Casting, Angler Entomology and Selecting a Fly, all taught with low student-to-instructor ratios for personalized skill-building. Paddling-focused offerings include guided Bear Lake sea kayaking trips to Sols Creek Waterfall, overnight canoe camping trips on the Upper French Broad, family-friendly floats, and festival paddles like Paddle to the Pork. Headwaters Outfitters also coordinates collaborative events with local breweries — Paddle then Pints with Ecusta Brewing Company and Cruise then Booze with Oskar Blues — and hosts seasonal community programs such as the Annual Upper French Broad River Clean-Up and Appalachian Santa Night. The business manages the first private campground on the French Broad Paddle Trail, featuring six primitive riverside campsites and options for full campground rental. Gear, shuttles and guided instruction are provided on many trips, and experienced guides such as local captains lead species-specific charters. Emphasis is placed on safety, Leave No Trace ethics, environmental stewardship and authentic local partnerships, making the outfitter a resource for anglers, paddlers and outdoor learners visiting Western North Carolina.
Book with Headwaters Outfitters