2014 NOC Special Events Sneak Preview

After a year like 2013, when NOC hosted US Freestyle Team Trials and the ICF Canoe Freestyle World Championships, it would be easy to write off 2014 as a gap year before the 2015 Wildwater Junior World Championships. However, that's not the case. The 2014 NOC events schedule offers a strong variety of revitalized on-the-water events and some all-new land-based races that we're excited to announce.

River Races and Competitions

NOC is excited to renew our commitment to the Nantahala Racing Club and to hosting more youth paddling events in 2014. With the help of our partners, we'll be rolling out new ways to get young paddlers involved in slalom, wildwater, and freestyle competitions and clinics, as well as hosting casual weekend paddling sessions run by professional instructors and coaches.  The highlight of the season will be the 2014 Junior Olympics (August 9th – 11th). Sponsored by USA Canoe/Kayak, this event features serious competition in all three whitewater disciplines alongside lighthearted games and social events.

Making friends and racing kayaks is what the 2014 Junior Olympics is all about.

In June, July and August, expect more clinics, quicker results, and of course a new 2014 T-shirt as Carolina Canoe Club, Georgia Canoeing Association and Nantahala Racing Club step up to help us expand and improve the Canoe Club Challenge. Best of all, Canoe Club Challenge proceeds will be donated to the partner paddling clubs for use in their programming and outreach.

NOC's biggest freestyle event of the season will take place September 4-6, as we once again host the international freestyle community, this time for the ICF Canoe Freestyle Pan-American Championships. The best paddlers from the Western Hemisphere return to show off the results of another year of training, and amp up for the 2015 Worlds.

New and Improved Events

Of course we’ll also be looking hard at the classic events like GAF and NOCtoberfest. Last year we listened to popular opinion and brought the GAF Used Gear Marketplace back to river left, which meant more space, more booths, and a better time had by all. Send suggestions for 2014 our way on NOC's Facebook page or by emailing events@noc.com.

Searching for sweet deals in the Guest Marketplace at GAF 2013

And runners take note, on April 5th, we're also debuting new races like our first half-marathon, the Nantahala Hilly Half & 5K in partnership with Run Bum Tours. And this Memorial Day, don’t miss NOC’s Adventure Dash – a fun 2K obstacle race suitable for the whole family, hosted right here at NOC’s Wesser Campus, featuring plenty of fun elements to shake things up.

Participants will enjoy challenging climbs, scenic views, and great singletrack at the Nantahala Hilly Half & 5K.

Stay tuned for the full 2014 Event Schedule! Check out noc.com/events to download the final events calendar and for more details on how to get involved.

2013 Frosty Foot Fest: 50k, 30k and 8k Trail Races at Tsali

Foot Rx Asheville presents the 2013 Tsali Frosty Foot Fest on January 12th and 13th. The event will include 50k, 30k and 8k running races on the world famous Tsali Trail System, which includes over 40 miles of trails winding along scenic Fontana Lake. Click here to register!

NOC's Erika Brock registered for the 30k race because she was "looking for a new challenge close to home." Erika has run three half-marathons, but the Frosty Foot 30k will be her longest race yet. She is fortunate, she says, to be able to do about half of her training at Tsali. Last weekend's nine-mile run on Tsali's Right Loop was her longest training run for the Frosty Foot so far. "I did a couple of variations to make it work out to nine miles," Erika said. She chose the run because it happens to be the very beginning and the very end of the 30k race. Erika, who does much of her training on her own, enjoys listening to head phones while on the trail, mostly "fast-tempo music," she said, "for motivation." She confessed that the music she listens to while running is much different from what she listens to when driving or just hanging out. When I pressed her for band names, she blushed and ended the interview. For the record, NOC is cool with whatever is on your I pod, so long as it gets you up and out and training for sweet races like this!

Go Erika! Go Michigan State!

Tsali Frosty Foot Trail Race Details

50k (Jan 12): 200 runner limit - registration is $60 before December 12, $75 thereafter
30k (Jan 13): 200 runner limit - registration is $40 before December 13, $60 thereafter
8k (Jan 13): 100 runner limit - registration is $25 before December 13, $30 thereafter

What comes with your race registration:

1. A sweet Mountain Hard Wear Race Shirt and swag bag. Guaranteed to beat any race shirt you ever received! 
2. A solid run through some of the best trails in Western North Carolina.
3. Aid stations stocked with GU & Bonk Breaker Bar products and some other tasty treats!
4. FREE tasty treats from Flat Rock Village Bakery and chili from Green Sage Cafe at the finish-line celebration
5. Awards Ceremony at Nantahala Brewing Company - enjoy awesome beer, swag, and raffle items, including a Timex GPS watch for each of the 3 races.
6. Memories of a great race you'll never forget!