The Tennessee river can be a fun and exiting place to take a rowing trip. For a beginner this may also seem like a daunting task. Proper preparation is the difference between whether the trip is memorable because it was fun or a disaster.
The first thing to do when planning the trip is to plan and map out the entire route. Make sure your route is not more difficult than you can handle. Rivers are dived into sections that are classified by the number and difficulty of rapids. Not only does your ability to traverse a section of the river depend on your own skill level, but different types of boats are able to handle different types of rapids. During sections of your trip that you and your boat can not row through, you may have to take the boat out of the water and carry it along the river until you get to a suitable section. A boat and the gear inside it can be very heavy so it is important to plan your trip so you do not have to carry the boat farther than you are able.
The next thing to do when planning the trip is to make sure you take the proper gear. Remember that everything you take will be carried in the boat and will probably get wet unless you take precautions. In order to keep your gear dry, pack it in water proof dry bags. Double layers of zip-lock bags will work well for most items. For day trips plan on bringing enough food and water to last the day, as well as plenty of sunscreen and bug repelant. For an overnight trip, a tent, sleeping gear, and a change of clothes will be necessary. Remember that you are going to get wet so dress appropriately.