First time experience volunteering for the Chattanooga Ironman as a water volunteer in a kayak on the Tennessee River.
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Did you know you can volunteer to help with the Chattanooga Ironman race? This triathlon comes to Chattanooga usually twice a year and they are always reliant on local volunteers. Keep reading to learn more about volunteering and how my first experience went.
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Chattanooga Ironman
The first Chattanooga Ironman that I volunteered for a couple of years ago was the 70.3 which is basically the half version of the full Ironman triathlon. The Chattanooga Ironman 70.3 happens in May with the full-length Chattanooga Ironman happening in September. Chattanooga has been hosting the Ironman since 2014, so this year is their 10 year anniversary! The Chattanooga location gains more popularity every year. In fact, this year’s 70.3 race is already sold out by athletes! Each race brings in more than 3,500 athletes, with that number growing every race. People travel from all over the country and the world to compete in this race. There are numerous Ironman triathlons held all around the world, but many choose to participate in Chattanooga for many different reasons. Some prefer the scenery, others like the weather, and some just want the experience.
The Duty of a Water Volunteer: The Swimming Part of the Race
I may be a planner, but I’m also spontaneous. Just a few days before the race in 2022, my friend casually mentioned that the Chattanooga Ironman was still looking for water volunteers. She told me that we just had to sit in kayaks on the Tennessee River and be there for the swimmers as they navigate the course. Without hesitation I quickly agreed to join her for an early Sunday morning adventure. Little did I know what all this would actually entail and soon I was nervous as the day approached.
Once we secured the fact that we’d have kayaks to use (thanks to her sister) we both signed up to volunteer. Since we were a little late to the sign up process, we started getting a bunch of safety emails and eventually a final email that included all the earlier ones we missed. It was a lot of information and I began to worry that I would not be capable of this important task. What once seemed casual and easy quickly felt important and difficult. The safety of the swimmers in the race would rest on our shoulders. We had to be vigilant for anything that looked like trouble and call for help. We would be responsible for these athletes. The task seemed very daunting.
My Chattanooga Ironman Volunteer Experience
Time of Arrival
Early Sunday morning arrived very quickly. Before I knew it I was waking up at 3:30 AM. I had packed my water, snacks, and raingear the night before so I was ready to head out the door by 4 AM. Then I drove downtown, parked on River Street, and waited for my friend to arrive. I noticed that I really didn’t need to be there quite that early. Most people arrived closer to 5 AM and still had plenty of time to check-in, collect their safety gear, listen to the safety briefing (which was just a summary of what the detailed safety emails contained), and launch on the water.
The Launch
We all launched around 6:15 AM. The race starts with the pros who took off at 6:50 AM. When we checked in they gave us our positions to hold marked by the buoys that set the swim course. I was positioned at the halfway point, between Yellow 9 and Orange 1. It took a little while to paddle to my position upstream, but once I arrived around 6:30 AM I could see the colors of the sunrise reflecting on the Tennessee River. It was a beautiful surprise because it was supposed to be raining this morning and I didn’t think seeing a sunrise was going to be a possibility.
Ready, Set, Go
I met a lady on a stand-up paddleboard who was also positioned in my section. She has been doing this for years so she gave me tips and pointers that made me feel a lot more at ease with what I had agreed to do. At 6:50 AM we heard the cannon announce the start of the pros. In less than 10 minutes we could see the splashes and arms of these swimmers headed our way from upstream. I kept my distance as the advice I was given recommended. Typically the pros don’t need help. They’re well trained in swimming and keeping the course. It was amazing to watch, especially from the water vantage point.
The Responsibilities
There was a small break after the pros swam through. Then we started to see the first age group head our way. At first, everything was going smoothly. But it didn’t take long for some swimmers to veer off course. That ended up being the biggest responsibility of the day. Making sure everyone stayed on course and knew where they were going. I positioned myself just outside the swim line for anyone that was going too far inland. The bright green kayak I was using came in handy as a visual guide. Most athletes recognized my position from a distance and corrected their direction then. But every once in a while someone would be too far inland and I had to chase them down to direct them back to the course.
I never had to blow my whistle or wave my flag that was provided to us for safety calls. The few people that used my kayak for a break really just needed a rest or to readjust their goggles. However, during the race, I saw and heard calls for help from nearby paddlers a few times. The emergency response team did their job and attended to those calls via jet skis and boats. Some athletes had to be removed from the race. From what I could tell, muscle cramps were the leading cause.
The Finish Line Transition
As the swimmers became sparse and slower, paddlers from upstream started to follow them down. This can be the most crucial part of this volunteer effort. The last swimmers are typically the weakest, just trying to get to their strong portion of the triathlon of either biking and/or running. Most took countless breaks throughout the course just to make it through. I watched one kayaker encourage a swimmer by playing motivational music and reassuring him verbally.
Eventually, everyone made it to the exit point at Ross’s Landing where another group of volunteers helped them exit the river up the stairs. These volunteers cheered them on to their next leg of the race as if they personally knew each athlete. In fact, most volunteers acted this way. It was refreshing to watch strangers encourage one another like this. And my experience overall was more fun and way less scary than I had anticipated.
Closing Thoughts
As my friend and I paddled back to shore, we both agreed that we enjoyed this experience and will gladly do it again. In conclusion, don’t let all the safety concerns scare you. It’s just to help you be prepared for emergencies. But an emergency is rare. And you do not need to administer medical help. Leave that to the professionals. Your job is to just recognize a potential problem and let the medics decide what needs to be addressed from there. Overall, the task is easy and an amazing experience. And if you prefer to be on land rather than water, there’s plenty of other places to volunteer. Check out these Chattanooga Ironman volunteer opportunities. And be sure to watch the video version of my Chattanooga Ironman water volunteer experience.
Also, a huge thank you to the staff and lead volunteers for the Chattanooga Ironman. They are very informed and organized making the race a great experience for both the volunteers and the athletes involved. Now tell me, have you watched the Chattanooga Ironman before? Have you volunteered before? Let me know in the comments below.
Since my first volunteer experience in 2022, I have purchased my own inflatable stand-up paddleboard that I use as a water volunteer in both the Ironman 70.3 and full Ironman races. If you’re in the market for an inflatable paddleboard, I highly recommend this one. I’ve been able to volunteer multiple times now and love the experience of helping out and meeting other locals. If you ever see me out there volunteering, be sure to say “hi” because I’d love to meet you! Until next time, enjoy exploring Chatt!
More Unique Chattanooga Experiences
- Volunteer for Hiking Trail Building
- Ride an Old Train at the TVRR Museum
- Explore More with the Exploring Chatt Club
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Volunteers who are part of the water safety crew are unique in that they not only can make or break an athlete’s race day, but are there to potentially save a life. Amanda’s concern about whether or not she would be up to the task is not to be taken lightly. All is fine until just that one time a swimmer is coughing up blood and you need to signal for an EMT. Overall it is personally rewarding just to be there if assistance is needed. The reality of what these athletes accomplish in an Ironman race is very inspiring, especially if you are sitting in a kayak just a few feet away from where they are swimming.
Yes, I was definitely more nervous about the responsibility than I needed to be, but at the same time, I still recognize that it IS a safety responsibility and lives could be at risk. It’s good to be prepared for a possible emergency and good to know that medical personnel will help in such a case.