Blues City Kayaks

07/15/2025

It's been a while since posting and we're sorry. A lot has been going on.

Our owner, ANDe, accepted a job at Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park in February as a park ranger. It was too good of an opportunity to pass up. Think professional boy scout. He gets to kayak as part of the job!

During the time since February he received his ACA Level 2 Instructor Trainer certification for river kayaking, so now he can lead workshops that lead to L2 instructor certification.

There is a lot going on personally, too. He has been thrust into a position of being a secondary caregiver for a loved one.

Our co-founder, Paul, has had surgery and is recovering from that. Hopefully, he's ready to bounce back into action ASAP.

As a result of all of this Blues City Kayaks is not operating tours this season. Well, that's not entirely true. If weather permits we will operate pop-tours, the first likely being July 27, 2025. We'll also plan a few ACA Level 1 and Level 2 classes, so stay tuned.

We really miss being on the water and look forward to getting out and providing the safest, most informative, and funnest tours in the Memphis area. Hopefully in the next couple of weeks, but next season for sure!

For now we appreciate your patience, understanding, and business.

12/24/2024

This is amazing news!

NEW STATE FOREST IN OUR AREA
Wolf River State Forest, a 5,400-acre tract in Fayette County, will open to visitors in 2025.
MORE: https://wreg.com/news/mid-south/fayette-county-site-along-wolf-river-to-become-newest-tn-state-forest/

12/08/2024

Bald eagles at the Wolf River in Town of Collierville

12/08/2024

This is great news!

**UPDATE** The owner has been located safe. Thank you to the public for your assistance.

12/08/2024

Some of our friends and customers have reached out regarding the capsized kayak reported on the Wolf River at the Collierville-Arlington Road access.

ANDe was scheduled to meet a student at 2:00 PM and received a text from the student with a photo of the capsized kayak. Within minutes, ANDe arrived at the scene and contacted Collierville Police. Before the call ended, the sirens of multiple emergency vehicles could be heard approaching. In less than 10 minutes, a drone was deployed, and within 20 minutes, the rescue boat seen in the video was on the water. That’s an impressive response time from Collierville Police Department and Collierville Fire & Rescue!

To our knowledge no missing person reports have been filed. Items recovered included the kayak, a chair, a paddle (secured with a paddle leash), and a hunting vest.

Important reminders from today’s events:
- Report abandoned kayaks: If you ever come across an abandoned kayak, always call emergency services. This is a valid reason to dial 911.
- Avoid paddle leashes in current: Never attach your paddle to your kayak or yourself when paddling in current. In the video, the kayak had to be disentangled from a branch, which the paddle leash had wrapped around. If someone had been involved in this capsize, it could have added a level of danger that would've made a bad situation worse.
- Always wear a lifejacket: The vest found with the kayak was a hunting vest, not a lifejacket. If someone was in the water, we hope they were wearing a lifejacket.

With daytime highs in the 50s and chilly water temperatures, a capsize that might feel refreshing in summer can quickly become life-threatening.

As a reminder, always dress for immersion and always wear a lifejacket. No matter how strong a swimmer you are or how shallow the water seems. Rapidly changing situations can cause panic and compromise your ability to respond.

Stay safe out there!

09/18/2024

🌊🚣‍♂️ **Congratulations to These New ACA Level 1 Kayaking Instructors!** 🚣‍♀️🌊

This past weekend, we had an incredible three-day Instructor Certification Workshop led by ANDe Demetriou (ACA Instructor Trainer Candidate) and Tom Burroughs (ACA Instructor Trainer Educator). Despite the rainy weather and the rising Wolf River, our five dedicated candidates pushed through and successfully earned their ACA Level 1 kayaking instructor certifications!

Throughout the workshop, the candidates mastered key skills such as rescue techniques and proper form for paddling. They demonstrated their adaptability by adjusting to the challenging conditions, using their newly acquired paddling skills to navigate the increased current speed and knowing when to safely get off the river.

One of the standout moments of the workshop was on Saturday when the candidates successfully combined their paddle strokes to execute more complex maneuvers. The joy and satisfaction on their faces were truly priceless! ANDe and Tom were instrumental in guiding discussions on effective teaching methods and assisting the candidates in perfecting their techniques.

The feedback from our newly certified ACA Level 1 instructors has been positive. They appreciated the opportunity to enhance their kayaking skills, making them more effective on the water and assets to other people paddling with them.. They are now eager to pass on their knowledge and teach other paddlers about the importance of proficiency and safety on the water.

Congratulations to these new ACA Level 1 kayaking instructors! their hard work and dedication have truly paid off. We can't wait to see them out on the water, sharing their knowledge and passion for kayaking with others. 🌟🚣‍♂️🚣‍♀️

09/02/2024

Wapanocca Lake for the second day in a row! We could go here every day!

Cormorants, white egrets, great blue herons, and countless other water fowl were there. The tour was almost cancelled at the last minute due to thunderstorms in the area but they cleared and didn't come back. The temps were perfect and the cloud cover kept the sun at bay.

Stay tuned for upcoming tours here late September/early October when the foliage begins to change!

09/02/2024

On August 31, 2024, Blues City Kayaks hosted an unforgettable tour at the stunning Wapanocca Lake. The event brought together a diverse group of adventurers, including both kayakers and stand-up paddleboarders (SUPs), to explore the serene waters and picturesque surroundings. The collaboration with Sarah Barker of Sarah Barker Fitness, a SUP/SUP yoga instructor, added a unique dynamic to the tour.

Participants paddled through different ecosystems, discussing beaver sticks and spotting magnificent birds such as great blue herons, white egrets, and cormorants. The mix of kayaks and SUPs served as an icebreaker, fostering curiosity and camaraderie between the two groups. Despite a few participants being new to paddling, ANDe and Sarah provided light instruction, ensuring everyone felt comfortable and confident on the water.

The natural beauty and diverse wildlife of Wapanocca Lake left a lasting impression on all attendees, who were captivated by the breathtaking scenery. We're looking forward to working with Sarah again soon to create more memorable adventures!

Music by: Bensound.com/royalty-free-music
License code: 0QPLVPR2CGC0O8LE

08/20/2024

We had a fantastic night at Big River Crossing with 16 participants. A highlight was when one of our guests, the first to spot the full moon peeking behind a building, excitedly pointed it out to everyone. Everyone gasped in amazement at its beauty!

Blues City Kayaks shared fascinating facts about the four iconic bridges spanning the Mississippi River at Memphis: the Hernando de Soto Bridge (the "new" bridge", the Memphis & Arkansas Bridge (the "old" bridge), the Frisco Bridge, and the Harahan Bridge, which is home to Big River Crossing. We also provided insights into the upcoming new bridge, tentatively named “America’s River Crossing,” highlighting its significance for the region.

The weather was amazing with cool temps and a nice breeze. The atmosphere was serene, and everyone was in high spirits. The event was enjoyable for all.

Thanks to everyone who joined us for this magical experience!

Join us next month for September’s Full Harvest Moonrise Walk!

Music by: Bensound.com/royalty-free-music
License code: 0QPLVPR2CGC0O8LE

08/18/2024

Today's Hatchie River Conservancy paddle from Highway 18 to Highway 100 was a fantastic event. This section of the river is approximately 12 miles long and offers a beautiful and serene paddling experience.

Participants enjoyed the scenic views and the opportunity to connect with nature. The weather was perfect, making it an ideal day for paddling. Everyone had a great time exploring the river's natural beauty.

Someone left some homegrown watermelons out for us to enjoy. And what a treat! We were ready for snacks and water! 🙂

We were also honored to have guests from Protect Our Aquifer join us. Their presence highlighted the importance of preserving our water resources and added an educational aspect to the paddle.

The next HRC 3rd Saturday paddle will be September 21, 2021 from Highway 76 - Highway 70. You won't want to miss it!

08/13/2024

Just a few spots left for this Saturday's Hatchie River Conservancy 3rd Saturday paddle! We'll be paddling on the Hatchie River from Highway 18 to Highway 100, which is just under 12 miles. You'll get a lot of information about the Hatchie River from the Hatchie River Conservancey Executive Director, Bob Ford, and Protect Our Aquifer Executive Director, Sarah Houston. This is going to be fun day on the water and we hope you can make it!

Space is limited, so hurry up and register!

Join Blues City Kayaks for its historic Hatchie River tour! The only unaltered river in West Tennessee!

08/07/2024

Got on a kick looking at Hatchie River pics from the past few years. If you've not paddled this river consider the 3rd Saturday paddle with the Hatchie River Conservancy. We'll paddle the Hatchie from Highway 18 near Bolivar, TN to Highway 100. It's a beautiful stretch of the river!

The Hatchie River in West TennesseePhotos: ANDe DemetriouMusic by Bensound.com/royalty-free-musicLicense code: WDARFF7A5E1NASH6