When you get a look at Jon Terry, you might peg him as a guy who’s always been running around in the woods - like he was born into a camping family and started paddling before he could read. You’d be wrong though.
“I grew up playing sports,” he says with a laugh. “It wasn’t until I was 19 and got a job at the Nantahala Outdoor Center that I connected with the wilderness, specifically the water.”
It was love at first sight for him - the thrill of being fully immersed in an activity, the tactile connection, the careful, crucial balance of safety and delight. It was the sort of experience that showed him his life’s path. Jon went back to school and joined the Rec Management Department at Appalachian State. He’s been in the outdoor industry ever since.
When he and his family moved to East Tennessee nearly three years ago, he landed a job at Blackberry Farm as an outdoor guide. Soon after, he was looking for a place in town to call his own, somewhere he could build a small business rooted in outdoor adventure.
“When I first moved here, I reached out to different people in town trying to find a good fit. There was a great building downtown that was underutilized, so I reached out to Billy Lush on Volunteer Landing and asked if he’d consider selling it to me. He said yes,” says Jon. “My father owned a small business, so it’s in my blood and always appealed to me. The circumstances came around and I bought it in early 2020.”
Of course, the unforeseen COVID-19 pandemic prompted delays, so Jon didn’t open Knoxville Adventure Collective in April 2020 as planned. Instead, he opened in mid-May and immediately set about staggering private slots for paddlers, making sure safety rules applied for both on land and in the water. It wasn’t necessarily a bad thing since the slower pace of opening allowed for trouble-shooting and learning curves.
With a year under his belt, Jon is ready for an influx of adventurers who want to experience the best of Knoxville’s outdoor opportunities.
“We’re trying to be an advocate for all outdoor adventures and not get pigeonholed for downtown paddling,” says Jon. “I think a lot of people are craving activity and togetherness. With the impact felt by Covid and the cultural shift to explore new outlets for self-care, the outdoor scene is a huge asset to the community. Knoxville Adventure hopes to continue to promote creative ways to get people of all skill levels outside and enjoying fellowship or self-reflection.”
The options are plentiful, from group paddles and bike rides to downtown river floats and Saturday morning yoga sessions. Knoxville Adventure Collective can cater to one person’s desire to paddle around on the Tennessee River to the corporate group who wants a team-building bike experience on the Greenway. Patrons can schedule a sunset or full-moon paddle, a guided fishing trip, or kayak session with an instructor. When it’s all said and done, they can enjoy a pint in the bar, which boasts local craft beers.
Knoxville Adventure Collective makes space for both beginners and regulars, those looking for solace as well as those looking for a good time with friends. Jon credits the Appalachian Mountain Bike Club, Legacy Parks, and other local organizations for laying the groundwork for Knoxville’s growing outdoor community. He’s happy to come alongside them and offer another space for those looking to go outside and play.
Learn more at KnoxvilleAdventure.com.