Description: Cold Water, Clear Head: Planning and Preparing for Cold Water Paddling
Location: Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park
Cold Water, Clear Head: Preparing for Paddling in a Cold Environment
Date: Sunday, December 6, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Location: Nature Center (Poplar Tree Lake), Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park
Cost: Free (Registration Required)
Led by: Ranger ANDe Demetriou
Program Description
Some of the quietest, most scenic days on the water occur between late autumn and early spring, but cold water brings hazards that caught-off-guard paddlers rarely expect. A sunny 60°F afternoon can easily mask water temperatures that sit below 50°F—conditions where a routine capsize can turn life-threatening in seconds.
Join Ranger ANDe Demetriou—an American Canoe Association (ACA) Level 2 River Kayaking Instructor Trainer, ECSI Wilderness First Aid Instructor, and licensed Emergency Medical Responder (EMR)—at the Nature Center for Cold Water, Clear Head, a two-hour, dry-land workshop designed for kayak anglers, recreational canoeists, and touring paddlers of all experience levels. We will deconstruct the persistent myths around hypothermia and focus on the immediate physiological hurdles every boater must understand: cold shock response and swim failure.
Through interactive demonstrations and tactile gear breakdowns, you will learn the essential strategies needed to safely extend your paddling season.
What We Will Cover
- The 1-10-1 Reality
- The "Swim Failure" Threshold
- Immersion Defense & Layering
- Hands-On Cold Dexterity Challenge
- Float Planning & Decision-Making
Important Information for Participants
- Setting: This is entirely an off-water, dry-land clinic conducted inside and around the heated Nature Center at Poplar Tree Lake. You do not need to bring a kayak or canoe.
- What to Bring: A notebook and pen if you'd like to take notes, plus any cold-weather paddling layers or gear you currently own if you want feedback on your personal setup.
- Age Recommendation: Recommended for ages 12 and older; all participants under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
- Registration: Space inside the Nature Center classroom is limited. Please register in advance through the official park event portal to reserve your seat.
Program Host: Ranger ANDe Demetriou
Contact Email: ande.demetriou@tn.gov
Contact Phone: 9018765215
Meeting Place: The Nature Center at Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park
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