Pilot Info & FAQ
Volunteer to Pilot for Swim the Suck
📅 Saturday, October 4, 2025
📍 Tennessee River Gorge | Chattanooga, TN
🎯 Sign up here: Register to Volunteer
🛶 Become a Volunteer Pilot
Have a kayak, canoe or stand-up paddleboard (SUP)? Want to paddle 10 beautiful miles through the Tennessee River Gorge while helping a swimmer achieve something amazing?
Volunteer pilots receive:
🚐 Free shuttle to the start
🍝 Friday pasta dinner
🌮 Saturday taco bar
🍺 Cold local beer at the finish
👕 Event t-shirt
🎨 Original art award
🧑🤝🧑 A grateful new friend
We’re looking for kayak and SUP pilots to guide 125 swimmers from across 35+ states. Join us!
⚓ Your Responsibilities as a Pilot
1. Keep Your Swimmer Safe
Act as a visible buffer between your swimmer and motorboats.
Hold your paddle vertically to alert boats. Wave side-to-side for emergencies.
Signal for pickup if your swimmer needs to exit early.
2. Positioning
Discuss with your swimmer where they'd like you—typically beside or slightly ahead on either side.
3. Stay on Course
Swim stays river left (left side going downstream).
Keep swimmer left of all red channel and orange course buoys.
No shortcuts across the river.
4. Feeding Your Swimmer
Most swimmers feed every 30 minutes.
Signal feeding time, hand off a snack or drink (no contact).
Store feedings on your kayak—open them ahead of time for easy access.
Collect all trash.
Don’t forget your own snacks and hydration!
👕 What to Wear
Dress for a range of weather:
River shorts, rash guard, spray jacket
Fleece or warm top in a dry bag
Sunglasses, hat, sunscreen
PFD (life jacket) — required
Water shoes or sandals
A sense of humor and clothes you don’t mind peeing in (seriously)
🌊 What Experience Do I Need?
You must feel comfortable paddling for 4–6 hours and be able to swim.
No need to roll a kayak or be a whitewater expert.
The course has a steady, downstream current (~18K CFS).
Locals: Practice with the Chattanooga Open Water Swimmers (C.O.W.S.) on Wednesday nights!
🚻 When Nature Calls
Let’s be real—you're likely going to have to pee:
Pull off during a feeding, stand waist-deep in water.
Sit-on-top paddlers can go while seated (yes, really, through your shorts).
Or try a urination device?
🧳 Packing List
A comfortable USCG approved personal floatation device (PFD) (they come with rentals, but you still may prefer your own). This is an example of an affordable PFD on amazon.
Whistle
Waterproof watch/timer
Dry bag or waterproof box for valuables
Cell phone (in dry case)
Snacks & drinks (for you)
Fleece, gloves, hat
Sunglasses, sunscreen, visor or warm beanie
Extra clothes
Small flash light (a USCG requirement)
🏄 Can I SUP Instead of Kayak?
Yes, but kayaks are easier to control in wind.
SUP is fine if you’re experienced—just know you may need to sit if it gets breezy in the gorge.
🏁 At the Finish Line
The swim ends at Wohali Nvya (mile 10.35).
Swimmers exit at the beach near the big orange finish buoy.
There’ll be food, beer, music, changing tents, portable toilets and your parked car.
🌄 Race Morning Instructions
If You’re Using Your Own Kayak or SUP:
Drop your boat at Suck Creek Boat Ramp in the morning.
Drive to Wohali Nvya (the finish), park your car.
Take the shuttle back to the swim start.
If You’re Renting a Kayak:
Go directly to Wohali Nvya and park.
Your rental kayak will be waiting for you at the start.
Hop on the shuttle with everyone else.
🕓 Morning schedule and addresses: Visit the Event Timeline page on our site.
🚤 Powerboat Volunteers Needed!
If you have a powerboat and want to help:
Patrol the course
Assist with swimmer safety
Transport swimmers and kayaks if they need to exit the race
📧 Contact the Race Director: karahnazor@gmail.com
❓ Questions?
📧 karahnazor@gmail.com
📞 (423) 488-3143