Kayak, the mere word brings a thought of curiosity to the human brain; how does one do that, how does a one roll a kayak right side up from being upside down, why would one want to go down a class V river in a plastic boat with only a paddle, helmet, life jacket, and a sick sense of adventure? Easy, Bett Adams of Chattanooga and present Knoxville, Tennessee resident says, "the river is an escape from life."

East Tennessee is the home to one of the largest and strongest whitewater kayaking communities in the entire world and holds hundreds of miles of river in its Appalachian Mountains, and is within a short drive thousands of miles of river, ranging from the easiest flow of a class I to the, bone crushing class VI. Taft Sibley of Chattanooga and current Knoxville, Tennessee resident says, "The terrain in East Tennessee is ideal for kayaking." Where there are mountains there will be rain falling in the mountains causing run off, creeks that leads to rivers, which, in kayaker's head is the perfect conditions for an afternoon of adventure.

A t-shirt that can be found in rafting companies' gift shop and local outfitters reads, "Row row row your boat gently down a raging bone crushing life threatening class V stream, merrily merrily merrily merrily, life is but a dream." A person kayaks for the feel of the fresh water splashed in the face as they make their way down a river. The way ones heart beats when having kayaked their first class IV rapid or kayaked their first 13 foot waterfall. One kayaks for the scenery of the gorges, the camaraderie of friends that one trusts their life with and honestly for the thrill! A kayaker, no matter of what experience level, looks back after a run down a river as triumph, accomplishment, and defeating the odds.

 To prove how strong East Tennessee's kayaking community is, some of the biggest names in kayaking companies were formed or have roots to East Tennessee, such as: Dagger that originated in the Kingston area, Jackson Kayak that only home has been in Rock Island. Companies such as Wavesport and Perception all have ties to the East Tennessee area.

Knowing the threat of death and drowning while kayaking is what makes a kayaker strive to be the best kayaker one can be. Kayakers learn through experiences on the river that, one must know their limitations and not to exceed those limitations. Experiences like that go beyond the river and into a kayaker's life. As Adams says, "One's got to be able to shoot yourself strait." Even if a kayaker stops boating, the experiences, knowledge and growth as a person will live on with them forever; thus, making the sport of kayaking grow and live.

The sick sense of adventure, adrenaline rush and sense of freedom is what draws a person to kayak. East Tennessee's roaring creeks and rivers are what keeps a kayaker in this area, with more coming every year due to college and the reputation of the rivers that East Tennessee holds. Adams says, "kayaking has helped define who I am and gave me a sense of freedom that one cannot find anywhere else, that's why I am a kayaker; and no matter where I end up East Tennessee will always be my final home."