Appalachian Paddling Enthusiasts
Paddle Strong
Build Community
Develop Skills
Help Support Our River Restoration and Relief Efforts Following Hurricane Helene
Who We Are
Founded in 1986, Appalachian Paddling Enthusiasts (APEs) is a community-driven grassroots paddling club serving northeast Tennessee, southwest Virginia and northwest North Carolina. Our membership includes individuals who enjoy paddling all types of self-propelled watercraft along the rivers and lakes of our region. APEs provides the forum for people of our area to join together to help advance the sports of whitewater and flat-water paddling, develop the skills of fellow paddlers, share information, and protect the rivers and lakes we love.
Pictured above: Josh and Amy Register paddling in the Watauga Gorge at Hydro. Photo by APEs member Jeremy Gass.
Upcoming Classes & Meetups
AW Release Schedule
Make a Donation
As a nonprofit, APEs members are committed to making a difference in preserving our local rivers, lakes and other waterways. Please donate to our conservation projects so that we can keep our waters clear and clean, continue to expand river access for paddling and maintain our riverbanks and the adjacent community lands that we are privileged to use and enjoy during our adventures.
