X   Marks the spot and the place to be on Saturday, September 27, 2025

9:30 am for the 2nd annual Thief Neck Island Paddle Quest

in Rockwood, Tennessee

Offering 3-, 9-, and 18-mile race distances

Thief Neck Island is located on Watts Bar Lake and is part of the Tennessee River upstream of the legendary Chattajack race course. Use this race to hone your skills and enjoy the thrill of open water while navigating an exciting course. First timer racer or novice paddler? Discover the thrill of racing in the sheltered channel for the exciting 3 Mile Deckhand Dash Race out to the mouth of Watts Bar Lake and back.

Set your compass and head out on your quest to be one of the top finishers in your category. Your efforts will be rewarded with a bronze, silver or gold doubloon.

Must register by Saturday, August 30, 2025 to receive a short sleeve tech shirt. Some shirts might be available at the event but are not guaranteed.

Entry fee includes race entry, a schwag bag, a tech shirt (if registering before August 30th) and one raffle ticket. Once you scout out all the bountiful treasures available that day, you will want to purchase more. $2 each and 6 for $10. We will also have a new silent auction this year for large ticket items. All proceeds from the raffle benefit the Roane County Animal Shelter. Raffle prizes will include products from our supporting sponsors:

Epic Kayaks, Stellar Kayak, Ozone, Vaikobi and ZRE Paddles. 

Selective boat Demos of Epic Kayaks, Nordic Surfskis, Ozone Outrigger Canoes and Kayaks and Stellar Kayaks (supplied by Paddle Dynamics) will be on Friday, September 26^th 2025 at the Old Tom Fuller Boat Landing from 5-7 PM.

Volunteer opportunities. We are in need of volunteers to help pull off a successful event. We will need help with timing, safety boat assistants, parking, raffle prize organization and registration. Volunteers will receive an event T-shirt, a racer schwag bag, some breakfast goodies and lunch and a raffle ticket.

Please contact Cheryl at 715-302-8821 to get on the list and help support this event. Thanks So Much!!

Late Registration will be available until the evening before at the Demo event from 5-7pm, there is NO race day registration. 

Races are as follows. There is a Mass Start for all racers promptly at 9:30 am

3 mile Deckhand Dash Race,     $35 Registration fee

9 mile Scallywag Scuttle Race, $70 Registration fee

18 mile Buccaneer Brawl Race, $85 Registration fee (Recommended 4.5 mph minimum average speed).

Race notes: 

The 3 miles race will go up the main channel veering right out to the mouth of the lake. Then go counterclockwise around the right green can navigation buoy first at the mouth of the lake, then left to the red buoy going counterclockwise and then back to the start. You must return back down the right side of the course to give room for racers heading out. 

The 9 mile race will head to the right of the green navigation buoy going counterclockwise, then head straight for the left side of the island going clockwise around the island. It is about a mile across open water to the island. You will NOT be allowed to take the channel that cuts through the island, you must go around the end of the island proceeding clockwise. Keep working around the island and look for two steep driveways on the far hills, then look for a house with a BRIGHT RED METAL ROOF. HEAD JUST TO THE LEFT OF THE HOUSE WITH THE RED ROOD WHICH IS THE BEST LANDMARK TO HIT THE MAIN CHANNEL BACK TO THE RACE VENUE AND FINISH LINE.  Also look for the safety boat at the mouth of the channel (it will have a strobe light) and head towards the channel with a line of your choosing to the finish at Old Tom Fuller Park.

-9 MILE RACE CUTOFF TIME: Because of the nature of the course, there will not be a cutoff time for this course as the shortest way back will be around the island anyway. Make sure you have the stamina and skills to complete this course in possible rough water or please switch to the 3 mile race. This can be a challenging course but if you have the skills, it is a fun and beautiful course.  

The 18 mile race will proceed as the 9 mile race, continuing on left towards Morris Island. Go clockwise around Morris Island, then start heading back hugging the left shoreline (don't go into any inlets). Look for two steep driveways on the far hills, then look for a house with a BRIGHT RED METAL ROOF. HEAD JUST TO THE LEFT OF THE HOUSE WITH THE RED ROOD WHICH IS THE BEST LANDMARK TO HIT THE MAIN CHANNEL BACK TO THE RACE VENUE AND FINISH LINE.  Also look for the safety boat at the mouth of the channel (it will have a strobe light) and head towards the channel with a line of your choosing to the finish at Old Tom Fuller Park. 

   -18 MILE RACE CUTOFF TIMES: For the safety of paddlers in this race and to keep the safety boaters time on the water at a reasonable amount, there will be cutoff times at two places along the course. If you don't think you can average 4.5mph as suggested, please contact us to change you to the 9 mile race. Better to complete the course then be disqualified from the race after not meeting the cutoff times. 

        - FIRST CHECKPOINT: Thief Neck Island Cut: 10:30 or 1 hour after the start. This is just over the 4 mile mark so any watercraft in the 18 mile race not reaching this point will be disqualified and asked to turn around and head back to the start. 

        -SECOND CHECKPOINT, Morris (Half Moon) Island Safety boat: This boat will be in front of the island so around the 8.5 mile mark. Any boat not getting there by 11:30 (2 hours into the race) will be disqualified and asked to not go around the island, to turn around and head back to the start (this will still be a 15 mile trip so is a challenge). Please change to the the 9 mile course if you cannot meet these times as conditions can be very challenging with possible wind and chop, especially on a SUP. 

PFDs & Leashes are REQUIRED to be worn for ALL RACERS (except prone).  Leashes for Surfski, OC and SUP. 

A Cell phone, Safety Whistle and Safety Card with emergency phone numbers (provided) are required to be carried for all those participating in the 9 Mile Scallywag Scuttle and 18 mile Buccaneer Brawl Race. We will have Vaikobi cell phone cases on hand for purchase if you need one, as well as leg leashes for surfskis and OC’s. The safety card will have emergency numbers to be called if assistance is needed. If using an open boat, we suggest you bring a pump, sponge or other provisions to evacuate water from your craft should you capsize out in the open water away from land, there may not be a safety boat nearby to help as this is a large body of water and you should be prepared for self-rescue. 

Drafting: Drafting is allowed during the event off of any human powered watercraft, either within your category or across all categories. If a random motorboat wake comes your way that you feel would benefit you, that is also fair game. 

Severe weather safety provision

ALL Participants must know how to swim and follow all State and Race Safety rules!

We reserve the right to delay the start, shorten or interrupt the race in progress and/or cancel the event due to safety concerns and conditions including, but not limited to severe weather - thunderstorms , lightning or extreme wind.

Due to significant up-front costs of this event, no refunds can be issued. Thank you for your understanding. 

Food:  TBD

Spectator Viewing:

• The best viewing will be available from lakeside spots at the Rockwood Marina and RV Resort. If you are able to book a spot there, you will be able to see the first and last 1 mile of the race course.
• Second best viewing will be from the new Tom Fuller boat landing (large paved area) from the piers jutting out in the water. You will be able to see the first and last ½ Mile clearly and the second ½ mile from a distance.
• Thirdly you can view the start from the race Venue at the Old Tom Fuller Boat Landing. Bring some binoculars for better viewing as the racers speed away from the start.
• If anyone lives nearby and has a motorboat/pontoon boat, you can launch at the New Tom Fuller launch and follow the races on course as well (avoid waking down the racers please).

Lodging 

Rockwood Marina and RV Park right next to the race venue for RV and tent camping (book early to get a prime spot for viewing):

Many motels and hotels are available in Rockwood, Harriman and Kingston areas within 5-20 minutes from the race venue. 

So Batten down the hatches and join us for 3 great races, raffles, boat demos and more.