I knew paddle boarding sometimes happened just off the downtown shore in the Tennessee River, but I’d never considered how and where that might happen. An online conversation with Dan Zimmerman, an employee at Billy Lush Board Shop, revealed that not only are we a short stroll from paddle boarding, but kayaking, canoeing and hydrobiking are also a few steps from downtown.
I met Kenny Reed, owner of Billy Lush Board Shop, along with Dan, and found out there is much more going on around the river front than I’d realized. In the spring of 2013, Michael Carroll connected the mobile outfit to Legacy Parks who asked the group to join them in the Outdoor Knoxville building just off the riverfront beside Ruth’s Chris Steak House at Volunteer Landing. Prior to that they had periodically shown up in parks along the river and offered their rentals.
They moved the operation – including paddle board yoga classes – into Outdoor Knoxville. I expressed a bit of surprise and the connection of yoga and surfboards, but learned it started on the coast and has proven very popular in Knoxville. Paddle boarding has exploded nationally in the last seven or eight years and has gotten a warm reception in Knoxville.
The company started when Kenny and Abe Kiggins (who now owns Billy Lush Brand) made a series of Billy Lush (a redneck skateboarder – see one video here) videos featuring Abe with a buck-toothed redneck mask. The lark became a business. Eventually, Abe wanted to focus on building a national brand for long boards and apparel and Kenny focused on the Billy Lush Board Shop businesses here in Knoxville. The brand now offers high end skate and surf boards along with apparel to accompany the sports and lifestyle.
It was a trip to Destin featuring paddle boarding that first spurred Kenny to buy ten boards and start the venture in Knoxville. After the invitation to open a physical shop in the Outdoor Knoxville center, they have expanded each season, adding more hours, more sports and more offerings at the shop. In 2014, the shop was built out and bike rentals were added to the business.
2015 has been the biggest year for total rentals, which have doubled since last season, but it’s also seen a fast expansion of the business in other respects. Kayaks (one and two-person) and hydrobikes have been added this year. The recent construction of a small dock is the latest and most visible sign of the business on the riverfront. Canoes, kayaks and hydrobikes float in the river beside the dock, waiting and ready. The shop has the life jackets, surfboards and paddles – which they carry to the river for customers.
Inside the shop, a beer porch with an island flair opened this spring and sits at the center of the surf shop. Beyond purchasing or renting your own board, you can stop off in the bar for any of the five beers on tap – or a six pack to go. Thursdays the shop offers Sup (Stand up Paddle board) and Suds – a free beer after a rental.
The shop has also partnered with Sweetwater Beer to raffle a paddle board at the conclusion of a cleanup effort at First Creek, with proceeds going to Legacy Parks. It’s the kind of effort that makes the river better for everyone, as First Creek empties into the river immediately beside the new dock. Upcoming events include the Livin’ Lush Cup: Under the Lights, the first ever night race for paddleboards in Knoxville. Each paddle board will have LED lights attached and beer follows. It’s a part of a larger series of national races (Southern Stoke Paddle Series), with the twist being this one is under the city lights. If you’d like to try night paddling without the racing, that’s offered every full moon (next up on July 30).
The cost to paddle board is $19 for the first hour, to hydrobike is $25 an hour, to canoe or kayak costs $29 for the first hour. Each of these cost $10 for each additional hour. Bikes are $15 for the first hour and $5 for each additional hour. Wednesdays are half-price day and college students can rent paddle boards for $12 on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Classes are offered in paddle boarding, SUP Yoga (by Kristi Peterson), Barre on Sup and private lessons are available. You can also rent boards for your trip to the coast – they even have everything you need to attach it to your car.
Anyone owning equipment is welcome to use the dock, as well. Located Volunteer Landing and Calhoun’s at Treaty of Holston Park, it’s a bit tricky to find, but signage will be in place, soon. It’s hoped that spaces to store personal equipment will soon be offered on site for boards and kayaks, but permits have yet to be secured from the city.
Hours include 11:00 – 7:00 on Sunday (Closed Monday), Noon – 8:00 Tuesday through Thursday, Noon – 9:00 on Friday and 9:00 to 9:00 on Saturday. You can drop in to shop, have a beer or go for an outing via a transportation device of your choice. If you’d like to join a group of paddle boarders, check out the K Town Sup Club on Meetup.com to find times and places.
The waterfront activities offered by Billy Lush provide a great start to an increased utilization of our river. I’ve said before that it feels like a tremendously under-exploited asset for Knoxville. Here’s a great way to spend more time on the water and, perhaps, introduce guests to water fun right here inside the city. Take advantage of it and support it so that these unusual urban options continue to be offered.