Adventures abound for thrill seekers
By Katie Hall
Issue date: 4/20/07 Section: Culture
- Page 1 of 1
Craving an adrenaline rush this summer? The Chattanooga area has many locations for white water rafting, skydiving and rock climbing to satisfy virtually anyone's longing for adventure this summer.
The Ocoee River has become a popular spot for white water rafting.
Located 45-minutes north of Chattanooga, this dam-controlled river can be rafted virtually all year long.
Andy Richie, Ooltewah , Tenn., junior, went down the river last summer and said he hopes to go again soon. This time, however, he plans to "go down the river sober," a choice safety-advice experts agree with.
Outland Expeditions owner Lamar Davis said he receives many college student participants each year.
"It builds self-confidence and is a great way to meet people," said Davis.
Skydiving is another adventure not far from campus.
Forty minutes south of Chattanooga is one of the largest "jump sites" in the Southeast, ASC Skydiving.
Taylor Horton, a Franklin, Tenn., graduate student, went skydiving two summers ago.
Although Horton said skydiving is the scariest thing she's ever done, she said she would definitely do it again.
"Scream while jumping out of the plane," she advised first-time skydivers. "It helps with breathing."
Ben Newhouse, reservation coordinator at ASC, said for many, jumping ends up being a real passion and they return to become certified.
According to Newhouse, skydiving is such a unique experience that it is hard to say what to expect when you jump out of a plane at 9,500 feet, but hurting yourself shouldn't be a concern.
Newhouse said in the company's 15-year history, they have never had an injury.
Chattanooga also offers many places for rock climbing.
Foster Falls, Sunset Rock and the Tennessee Wall (T Wall) are several local outdoor climbing spots, and Tennessee Bouldering Authority (TBA) offers year round indoor climbing.
According to Alex Fitzner, a TBA employee, college students frequent the gym and he encourages any student interested to "come soon and come often," no matter their skill level.
Fitzner emphasized the laid-back atmosphere at TBA and said climbing is a fun, full-body workout that doesn't require much thought.
The Ocoee River has become a popular spot for white water rafting.
Located 45-minutes north of Chattanooga, this dam-controlled river can be rafted virtually all year long.
Andy Richie, Ooltewah , Tenn., junior, went down the river last summer and said he hopes to go again soon. This time, however, he plans to "go down the river sober," a choice safety-advice experts agree with.
Outland Expeditions owner Lamar Davis said he receives many college student participants each year.
"It builds self-confidence and is a great way to meet people," said Davis.
Skydiving is another adventure not far from campus.
Forty minutes south of Chattanooga is one of the largest "jump sites" in the Southeast, ASC Skydiving.
Taylor Horton, a Franklin, Tenn., graduate student, went skydiving two summers ago.
Although Horton said skydiving is the scariest thing she's ever done, she said she would definitely do it again.
"Scream while jumping out of the plane," she advised first-time skydivers. "It helps with breathing."
Ben Newhouse, reservation coordinator at ASC, said for many, jumping ends up being a real passion and they return to become certified.
According to Newhouse, skydiving is such a unique experience that it is hard to say what to expect when you jump out of a plane at 9,500 feet, but hurting yourself shouldn't be a concern.
Newhouse said in the company's 15-year history, they have never had an injury.
Chattanooga also offers many places for rock climbing.
Foster Falls, Sunset Rock and the Tennessee Wall (T Wall) are several local outdoor climbing spots, and Tennessee Bouldering Authority (TBA) offers year round indoor climbing.
According to Alex Fitzner, a TBA employee, college students frequent the gym and he encourages any student interested to "come soon and come often," no matter their skill level.
Fitzner emphasized the laid-back atmosphere at TBA and said climbing is a fun, full-body workout that doesn't require much thought.
