Spring Whitewater Rafting: Five Reasons to Paddle Before Summer

"Spring rafting!" Words that should energize whitewater lovers everywhere. Think farmer john-style wetsuits, pushy, strong whitewater, flowering trees, fresh air and—more than anything—getting outside and back in nature. Yet, there's a relatively low amount of interest in spring rafting.

Sure, summer is when people have time off, it’s warmer outside, the kids are out of school and there's more free time. Unfortunately though, rivers are usually at their most adventurous early in the season, and all of us at NOC would love to see more river lovers on the water in March, April and May. So, to inspire more spring adventures, here are five reasons why this is a great time to hit the water:

Seven Foot Falls, Chattooga IV

1) “When the Rain Comes…” Historically spring rains provide the best water levels of the year. We’ve had a pretty wet month so far here in Wesser, but we’re still just over half of our average six inches of rain. As I write this the French Broad, Chattooga and Nolichucky are running at beefy flows, and we’re getting a another good set of showers. Bottom line: This weekend, and other weekends throughout the spring, you can bet it will be splashy and exciting out there on the water.

It’s true that rivers tend to channelize water, and that summer flows are more than powerful enough to make plenty of splashes and waves, but big spring runs are the sometimes the best; they're often the stories we recall years later both as guides and paddlers.

2) Supply and Demand: You know the idea: we have less demand for spring rafting trips, which translates into savings for rafters. Interestingly, some of the best prices we offer all year are for trips when the excitement level is topping out.

Examples of savings? Well, you can save over over 10% at the Chattooga, Nolichucky and French Broad, and almost 10% on the Nantahala. The big discounts? The Ocoee and Pigeon are over 25% off full price in the spring.

3) No Need to Share: Another reason to enjoy spring rafting: you're probably going to have the river more to yourself in the spring. It's likely your rafting trip will be a bit smaller and more private, and it's almost certain there will be less river traffic outside of your trip. This means you're more likely to stumble upon wildlife or have more time to enjoy waterfalls or other riverside points of interest. See the photos below for some stops on the Chattooga and Nolichuky.

Long Creek Falls, Chattooga River

Secret Location, Nolichucky River

4) Availability: In the spring NOC rafts all seven of our rivers. Not only that, but we really offer 11 rafting trips (add Chattooga Section III, Lower Pigeon, Lower Nolichucky, and Full-Day French Broad to their better-known counterparts). This is when you have the most options to get on any NOC whitewater river. If it's late-August, we're often only running five rivers, and then only one trip on some of these. So, if there's a trip you've always aspired to do; this is the best time to book it.

5) "Because it's there." Attribute this sentiment to legendary mountaineer George Mallory or river-running Lewis Medlock from the film Deliverance, either way, it's the same idea behind all adventures and adventurers: experience the outdoors because you can. These trips are different and exciting. If you've never run whitewater at high water then you've missed one of the most exciting things you can do outdoors in the Southeast.

The rivers/trips to catch this spring:

1) Chattooga Section III: The upper section on the Chattooga is usually runnable through the season, but with spring rain we may be able to start at one of the alternate put-ins upstream like Earl's Ford, Sandy Ford or Fall Creek. This means a bit bigger whitewater and more river to see.

Bull Sluice, Chattooga III/IV

2) Nolichucky: The Nolichucky has the shortest season of all NOC rivers and because of this it sometimes gets forgotten by late summer, but this is one our staff's favorite trips. In the spring the upper part of this run can get pretty big, and Quartermile rapid becomes one of the longest and most difficult rapids we run. Even if you miss a high-water event, there should be healthy flows through the spring and the scenery here is without match in the East.

Spring on the Nolichucky
(Most major rapids are upstream of this photo.)

3) French Broad Full Day: Imagine a big Ocoee with plenty of giant splashy waves, that's the FB at high water. You can also catch the rare "Seldom Seen" wave/hole that forms at Frank Bell's rapid. This enormous river feature will certainly drench everyone in a raft. Again, even if you miss a high water event, the FB at spring flows is typically faster and a bit more action-packed.

Paddling the Ledges on the French Broad.

4) Section IV Chattooga: Running Section IV at high water provides serious Class V action, and it may be the most white-knuckle recreation you can have with NOC. At some levels we still run through the five falls (scary, but reasonable), and at the highest levels we run monster versions of Bull Sluice, Seven Foot Falls and Raven's Chute.

Corkscrew, Chattooga IV

5) Cheoah: The main reason to raft the dam-fed Cheoah in the spring is because that's just Cheoah season—over half the river's few releases take place before June. Extra rain flowing in from the Cheoah's feeder creeks will certainly make an intense trip even more intense though.

Photo Wave, Cheoah River

By the way, our dam-controlled rivers like the Nantahala, Ocoee and Pigeon can have high flows too, though these tend to be mitigated by the dam. To book an exciting spring rafting trip call 888.905.7238 or visit noc.com.

NOC Announces Sponsorship of 2011 Smoky Mountain Relay

We are excited to announce our title sponsorship of the 2011 Smoky Mountain Relay – a running event beginning in North Mills River, NC and ending at NOC’s campus in Wesser, NC.

The Smoky Mountain Relay offers breathtaking views, challenging terrain and a memorable adventure for intermediate and advanced runners. Covering 205 miles of trails, forest service and rural county roads, runners will experience beautiful Southern Appalachia from its best viewpoint - on foot. Teams consisting of 12 runners will cover the course in 36 legs, or sections, with each runner completing three legs each. Teams are responsible for supplying two vans in order to shuttle their runners to various exchange points along the course. Each leg ranges from 2.5 miles to 10 miles, varying in difficulty from easy to very hard terrain.

Teams, generally completing the course between 24 and 34 hours, will descend into the Nantahala Gorge to finish at NOC. Food, drinks and live music at NOC’s Pourover Pub will greet racers at the finish to celebrate the completion of an epic adventure. Racers can enjoy NOC amenities such as hot showers, on-site restaurants and lodging, and an athlete’s ice bath in the Nantahala River

NOC teams up with SMR in its second year, coming on board to show its support of the trail and long distance running community. As the community of local trail runners continues to grow by leaps and bounds, we want to provide the opportunity for these folks to participate in the sport they love. Not only does NOC have many dedicated trail runners on staff, our Outfitter’s Store carries a wide selection of trail running gear, apparel and power foods to service the trail running community.

The race will take place Fri., May 13 through Sat., May 14, ending at NOC’s Outfitter’s Store. Individuals looking for a team to join can visit the Smoky Mountain Relay Online Forum to find teammates and stay up to date on SMR news. For registration information, volunteer guidelines, course and leg descriptions and more visit smokymountainrelay.com or NOC's events page.

Bike Shop and Trail Updates 2011

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Ready for warmer weather and anxious to be back on two wheels, I headed to NOC’s Bike Shop for a glimpse of what’s new in 2011 for mountain and road bikers alike. I met with Bike Shop Manager and avid rider Nathan Brock for a preseason update. A long-time member of the NOC team, Nathan has plenty of expert advice and trail knowledge to offer for all experience levels. Whether riders are looking to hit the windy and fast roads of the Nantahala Gorge or the rugged off-road terrain of the WNC region, the Bike Shop crew is always excited to lead them in the right direction as a full service facility offering rentals, repairs and tune-ups. It’s always a good idea to ask questions and learn from the guys who live and breath the two-wheeled lifestyle, and the shop has plenty of resource materials, trail maps and guidebooks to share.

All New 2011 Demo Fleet

According to Nate, the NOC Bike Shop has beefed up the demo fleet with 40 new Specialized Mountain Bikes. The entire fleet now consists of 24-speed mountain bikes ranging from 13”-23” including 12 new full-suspension bikes. All models boast the latest in braking technology with disc brakes, lighter frames and powerful suspension components to make your trail ride the most fun you’ll have all season.

The 2011 Specialized Hardrock Disc is the core of the new fleet this season. This model is suitable for everyone and every experience level. The larger tires, solid braking and durability will prove to enhance the trail experience for first-time riders and experts alike. A smooth ride and solid reliability make the Hardrock Disc the most versatile and fun on and off the trail.

The more experienced and adventuresome mountain biker will enjoy the all-new full suspension addition to NOC’s demo fleet. NOC’s Bike Shop has focused on the Specialized Camber Expert and the Elite 29er, boasting 6 of each model, plenty for a whole group of riders. Specialized has made these lighter and tougher than their predecessors, and they’re now two of the most hard-core and technical off-road bikes offered. The Camber Expert boasts the latest in suspension design and a focus on superior handling capabilities and trial performance. With the FSR M4 alloy frame and RockShox Reba fork, the Expert offers lightweight performance ready to stand up to the most rugged trails. The Elite 29er is the more “plush” design according to Specialized, with RockShox Ario rear shocks and the Recon Gold TK air-sprung fork. This is the Cadillac of technical mountain biking. Utilizing the same frame as the Expert, this super lightweight model can handle the challenging terrain with unwavering capabilities.

The Best Trails of the Appalachians

The surrounding area offers some of the best off-road mountain biking trails. NOC’s Flint Ridge Trail and Tsali Recreation Area are two of the most popular mountain biking trails in the area.

The Flint Ridge Trail is the latest addition to the off-road scene in the Nantahala Forest. Located on NOC’s 500+ acre preserve, the Flint Ridge Trail now covers over 4.7 miles of terrain along the Nantahala Gorge. This trail is open daily to the public year round. Flint Ridge offers some of the most amazing views of the Nantahala River and Gorge. Flint Ridge Riders can also take a break and a short walk down to Townhouse Waterfalls. These magnificent falls are only accessible by foot and rarely seen by the public, so don’t forget the camera. Inquire at the Bike Shop about the Flint Ridge Afternoon Special where you’ll receive a three-hour bike rental at half price.

The new Flint Ridge Trail system is yet to be completed. While there are already over 4 miles of excellent trail ready to ride, NOC is planning an additional 8+ miles of single track on rugged and easily accessible terrain. While the anticipated completion of the entire Flint Ridge Trail system is 2013, NOC is making the current section of trail even better with new signage, a more convenient trail head and extra parking to start off the season. Also, the International Mountain Bicycling Association’s Trail Assessment Crew will be visiting next month to officially map out the existing Flint Ridge Trail and aid in the development and planning of the projected addition. IMBA is a non-profit organization whose mission is to “create, enhance and preserve great trail experiences for mountain bikers worldwide.” To expedite the additional trails NOC is planning a handful of Flint Ridge Trail Days this season. At these events the whole family can learn more about trail maintenance, planning and development and meet fellow mountain bike riders and experts.

The famous Tsali Recreation Area is claimed by some to be the best trail system on the East coast. This nearby system is a great family-friendly and advanced option offering four main loops that span over 40 miles. These trails were well designed and very popular, especially on summer weekends. While riding deep in the Nantahala Forest at Tsali expect to see a variety of terrain through pine forests and thick mountain laurel. The trail ventures out to open vistas with magnificent views across Fontana Lake to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Look for the occasional wildlife spotting too. Most common are the white-tailed deer, though bald eagles are sometimes a special treat. Tsali Recreation Area is open daily, year round and has ample parking at the trail head. Don’t forget the $2 park entry fee.

Whether you are looking for area ride info, simply wanting advice or in need of a tune-up or repair, NOC’s Bike Shop is the place to be. If you’re considering an upgrade this year, or have some friends in the area, come out and demo the new fleet on some of the best trail systems around. The bike shop is also offering an extended rental special: rent the same bike for 3 consecutive days and receive a 15% discount. This offers plenty of time to familiarize yourself with local mountain biking and still have plenty of time to kick back and relax on your visit.

Transforming NOC's Outfitter's Store: Expanding Beyond Paddling

With a storied paddling history, former Olympians on staff and a thriving rafting business, you might make the mistake of thinking NOC’s Outfitter’s Store is just your run-of-the-mill paddling establishment.

Think again.

This spring our Outfitter’s Store is prepped for its own extreme makeover. The store recently underwent new wall construction that increases the strength of the walls, enhancing merchandising capabilities and resulting in a completely redesigned layout. With the expansion of all departments and the introduction of multiple new product lines, the store will confidently dive deeper into markets like backpacking and trail running.

NOC’s new Outfitter’s Store General Manager Doug Wright thinks they’re poised for a season unlike any other in Wesser. “It’s exciting. We’re headed in a new direction that builds on our paddling background, but allows us to service a wider range of customers participating in all kinds of activities available in this area.”


Backpacking / Camping / Hiking

This spring NOC reintroduces a comprehensive camping department, catering to the unique needs of thru-hikers, while also supporting and servicing the many day hikers and casual campers utilizing local trails. With a focus on better service, Wright’s staff has greatly increased the quantity of camping products and consolidated them into one functional area.

Building on the background of his 2006 Appalachian Trail thru-hike, Wright is bringing in a number of new product lines popular with serious backpackers. “With our store being directly on the AT, we need to be able to enhance the experience of thru-hikers and service the many backpackers coming through our store with ultralight backpacks, stoves, water purifying options and apparel.”

NOC is now carrying Ultralight Adventure (ULA) packs, becoming one of seven dealers in the US. These comfortable and durable packs are favorites among long-distance backpackers and weigh in at a mere 17 to 48 oz. In addition to the current insulation options the store carries from Patagonia and The North Face, the store is bringing in the “Light and Fast” Mont-Bell line of synthetic jackets, known for their incredible weight to warmth ratio. Alcohol stoves from Etowah Outfitters, cooking options from Anti-Gravity Gear, hydration options like Aquamira droplets and bladders from Platypus are among other ultralight offerings available at the Outfitter’s Store.

As the store gears up for the 2011 AT thru-hiker season, NOC is positioned as one of the premier backpacking and hiking shops in the Southeast.

Paddling

NOC is synonymous with paddling, but the retail staff continues to push ahead making the paddling department bigger and better. Wright notes, “We’ve re-vamped paddling, creating a well-defined department showcasing premier brands.”

NOC continues to boast the largest selection of whitewater Werner Paddles in the country. The store’s new spring offerings include a selection of stand-up paddleboards, one of the largest selections of Shred Ready helmets with a rainbow of 2011 colors, and a brand-spanking new fleet of demo boats. NOC is one of the first paddling shops in the country to carry the new Pyranha Varun whitewater boat and the new 2011 Jackson kayaks. The store will be the only dealer in the Southeast to carry the 2011 Prijon Pure kayak as well. “We remain the go-to paddling location in the Southeast, and will always be on the cutting edge when it comes to serving paddlers.”

Apparel and Outerwear
The new layout will also lend itself to a diversified apparel department. A wider selection of casual apparel and travel wear, as well as more technical outerwear perfect for backpacking, hiking and other activities will make a strong appearance. More insulation pieces like those from Mont-Bell and Patagonia will keep visitors warm in cooler seasons, and lightweight and waterproof rain shells from Marmot and Go-Lite will not only keep you dry, but the high breathability factor will keep you comfortable in winter or summer temps. A full line of Go-Lite and The North Face multi-sport apparel and a wider offering of base layers will service active customers, as well as those just looking for casual comfort.

Trail Running

Trail running opportunities in Western North Carolina are endless, and the community of local runners continues to grow by leaps and bounds. To appeal to the growing popularity NOC will carry a wider selection of trail running shoes from Brooks, Salomon and Vasque. Staples like Smartwool and Keen socks will continue to be available, along with new options like handheld hydration bottles for tackling longer miles. Runners can fuel their runs with an all-new employee-approved assortment of gels, chews and Nuun electrolyte replacement tabs.

With over $90,000 of product coming in before March, the store’s makeover will be complete in time for a busy spring filled with backpackers, paddlers and rafting guests. Wright wants to make sure all customers know this is their destination store. “We are a paddling store, but now we’re also a backpacking store, a trail running store, a gear up for bad weather store, and a casual tourist-friendly store.”

And you thought NOC was just a paddling store. Think again.

Store Winter Hours
Sunday – Friday: 11-5
Saturday: 10-6

Glacier Breaker Event Hours
Saturday, February 26: 9-6
Sunday, February 27: 9-5

Spring Hours – Beginning February 28
Monday – Friday: 9-5
Saturday: 9-6
Sunday: 10-5

Get Ready to Raft: Guide School at NOC

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So what if the average high in early March is only in the upper 50s, or if the lows reach into the 20s? When March is here, rafting season is too—at least for the aspiring raft guides and diehard whitewater lovers at NOC’s annual Raft Guide Schools.

The program is a five-day introduction to life as a professional river guide. Guides in training learn to master raft control and how to deal with the weight and momentum of large, eight-person rafts. They also get to learn whitewater features, rescue skills, how to carry rafts, the soft skills and more. Not just for aspiring guides, the program is perfect for "average" river enthusiasts who enjoy guiding their friends down the Nantahala in a rental raft and for rescue professionals looking to increase their rafting skills.

The course takes place on the Nantahala and French Broad Rivers, and the it boasts a fun “we’re all in this together” group mentality that provides built-in support and camaraderie for all participants.

This year’s course offerings begin in February and extend until mid-April. Typically guide schools receive a high percentage of college-age students looking for an exciting summer job, but there are also participants looking for an alternative spring adventure. On-campus lodging and dining are included in the price, so it’s really an easy pre-packaged spring break.

If you’re interested in learning more about this unique week of whitewater, read this discussion I had with eleven-year veteran Will Norris, an NOC Head Guide on the Class V Cheoah River. Will leads a guide school every other week during the spring (trading off with Stephan Hart—one of NOC’s only guides to be “checked out” on all seven rivers).

Will actually led my guide school four seasons ago, so I knew a few good questions to ask.

NOC guide school instructor Will Norris by the banks of the Nantahala at a 2008 guide school.

Charles: Do you prefer students to have previous whitewater experience?

Will: No, as a matter of fact many times we’ve seen students with no experience do better than avid kayakers. Sometimes kayakers have a harder time dealing with all the extra weight and momentum [of a raft], and they’re typically harder on themselves if they can’t get it right away. Sometimes a blank slate is easier to work with.

Charles: For the students seeking employment at NOC, there’s an evaluation of their skills. What are you looking for?

Will: We focus on raft control, but there are five main categories we rate; it’s not all about raft control. If we see the learning progression is happening, and that you’re working well with others—like you’ve got a great personality and that you’d be good at working with guests—well, that plays a huge part in it.

Charles: What parts of the course are the most challenging for students?

Will: One of the more challenging elements is the aggressive swim, when we’re actually getting out in the river. It’s physically demanding for many students, and it’s always cold.

Charles: That’s on the Nantahala from above the rentals take out to the pedestrian bridge, right?

Will: Right. I almost always try to do this at the end of the first day, so that students have experience with swimming if they come out of the raft the rest of the week. Here we talk about the different safety aspects of entering the water—body angle, moving through current, crossing current—we tie it in with positioning your body like a watercraft.

Charles: What else is challenging?

Will: For many folks it’s just dealing with all that weight and momentum in the boat. The flip drill is also anxiously anticipated. [This requires the guides to flip the raft to practice flipping the raft back over in moving water.] I almost always do this drill at the pool below Frank Bell’s rapid on the French Broad.

Charles: Frank Bell’s can be a class IV rapid at some water levels—is this the biggest rapid of the week?

Will: Yeah, Frank Bell’s is the biggest rapid we’ll do. Pillow, the Ledges and Kayaker’s Ledge are all in play on the French Broad, so every student in a training raft will get to guide at least one class III rapid on the FB. That’s in addition to the Fantasy Island drill on the Nantahala, where the teams do laps on Nantahala Falls. During that drill, the students carry the rafts back up each time so that each guide gets three runs on the rapid.

Charles: So the guides have to carry the rafts back up the river over ten times. I don't remember that being a major challenge.

Will: Usually students don’t know what to expect going into the drill, but they figure out an efficient system for transporting the rafts and they enjoy it. Usually several groups keep going past the three-run requirement.

Charles: What about weather? It’s still cold outside in March.

Will: Weather can be a large mental factor, usually much more than a physical factor. We let the students know what to bring and we provide necessary gear. Some of the folks you'd expect to be cold and weaker in those conditions surprise you and thrive, while the bigger and stronger participants don’t always handle them as well. We tell the students, if you can make it through this you’ll be even more comfortable in July in your Chacos, river shorts and sunglasses.

Charles: It’s good for the guides to feel the impact of weather on the rafting experience I suppose.

Will: Yes, that’s the upside of making the guides swim in cold water and in cold weather. You can feel what a guest would feel if he or she were to fall out, and it teaches you to be ready with the equipment and gear to respond.

Charles: How physical is guide school?

Will: In five days you do a physical activity every day. You don’t need to be an athlete to do it, but this course shows you what you’ll be putting your body through every day as a guide. Everything is hands on—from rope tying, to loading rafts, to rescue practice.

Charles: Do you stick to a tight schedule?

Will: We have a syllabus and a skills-progression order, but we’re flexible enough to use moments of opportunity. Pinning a raft may present the perfect opportunity to practice unpinning a raft. The first two days are the most critical learning days. By day three folks are getting dialed in, and there’s less emphasis on teaching the control skills. By then we’re fine tuning and working on other necessary skills.

Charles: Anything else you'd like to mention?

Will: We incorporate fun and keep things as light as possible. For a lot of folks it's their spring break, and we don't want them to feel like it's another day in class or at work.

For more photos from previous guide schools see the photo gallery on the guide school page at noc.com.

I’ll leave you with a photo from my guide school in 2007. For the record, I believe we all had a blast, and I think the only time I felt cold was actually on the lake learning the basics. The rest of the time I was pretty focused on the activity.

Except for the swim drill; no doubt, that was cold.

Paddling School and Wilderness Survival School Announce 2011 Calendars

2011 Paddling School Calendar
2011 Wilderness Survival School Calendar

Two of NOC’s most popular programs, the Paddling School and Wilderness Survival School, will provide even more learning opportunities this year with expanded curriculums, new courses and more dates.

Learning to surf at a private instruction session with
NOC Paddling School instructor Anne Sontheimer.

Under the direction of Jon Clark the Paddling School (and its staff of over 30 instructors) has adapted its 2011 schedule to offer the most variety possible for all skill levels and ages. The 2011 PS Calendar is packed full of whitewater kayaking and canoe courses, women’s only sessions, kids and teen kayak programs, as well as an array of leadership courses including ACA Swiftwater Rescue, the all new Youth River Leadership course, and NOC’s famous Raft Guide School.

Paddlers should also consider affordable one-day workshops on rolling and paddling the Nantahala, and the always-popular private instruction session, where you dictate your itinerary with one of the best paddling instructors in the world. Whether you have one day, a weekend, or a week to spend on the water, NOC Paddling School has the fun courses that will develop your paddling skills.

Survival school students learn basic trapping methods
at NOC's Hemlock Ridge survival course.

It's hard to imagine that NOC's Wilderness Survival School (WSS) started this time last year! Thanks to higher-than-anticipated demand our instructors have accelerated the development of the program curriculum, which debuts this season. This program's goal is to provide participants all the tools needed to survive in challenging wilderness environments. The process involves three stages of progression and multiple skills workshops along the way to hone in on specialty areas.

The 2011 WSS Calendar offers the opportunity to complete the entire progression in 2011. Also, there are special offerings like a Father/Son Survival Weekend Retreat (mothers and daughters are encouraged to attend as well!) and an Ultimate Survival Youth Camp—the coolest summer camp for outdoor-loving kids. Our instructors' philosophy is one of advancement through experience, so expect to build your own shelter, refine your knife skills and learn to start fires with your own two hands. These courses are just as fun as they are enriching!

NOC Special Events 2011: What to Expect

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2011 NOC Special Events Calendar

While working on the new 2011 special events calendar I took the opportunity to reflect on how NOC special events have changed over the past couple of years. If you're really just interested in the events, follow the link above see the schedule on noc.com for yourself. It features a good mix of participatory and spectator events, old standbys and new trial offerings.

Be sure to note the 2011 USA Canoe/Kayak Slalom Nationals will be on the Nantahala the weekend after GAF, so we'll likely get to see the 2012 Olympic paddlers here in Wesser even though the team won't be set until next year. If you are interested in how the NOC special events schedule has evolved, keep reading. You may find the following observations interesting.

Over the past couple of years NOC has tried to bring most special events “home” to the main Nantahala property. This meant handing off longtime NOC events like the Knobscorcher and the Tsali Challenge Triathlon to race promoter Gone Riding, but the upside of this transition has been the creation of very successful new events, and a plan for future on-property bike and foot races as the Flint Ridge trail system develops into an accessible, event-worthy venue in the next few years.

The stars of the new event calendar have been the NOC Freestyle Shootout and last year’s Canoe Club Challenge. The NOC Freestyle Shootout is part of the burgeoning eleven-event USA Freestyle Kayak Points Series which will determine the 2011 freestyle team and national champions. Also, the event helped the Nantahala Gorge win the 2013 ICF World Freestyle Championships, which will be the biggest paddling event ever held on the Nantahala or in the area, bringing in paddlers and spectators from over 25 different nations. Last year’s NOC Freestyle Shootout featured eight classes from open beginner to professional, giving boaters of all skill levels the chance to compete together. Thanks to its centralized location among NOC’s facilities the freestyle event is uniquely spectator-friendly, and it gives paddlers a shot-in-the arm heading into the summer boating season.

Friday night at the NOC Freestyle Shootout offers an illuminated practice session
giving traveling paddlers pre-event time in the feature.

The Canoe Club Challenge is a short gate race spanning the bridges on the Nantahala behind the Outfitter’s Store. While prizes are awarded for individual classes, the real competition in the Canoe Club Challenge is not speed, but participation. Paddling clubs compete for total “starts” and encourage members to get out and paddle together. The result was the largest paddling event in the United States last year, with over four hundred recorded starts. The short course and convenient location afford paddlers a fun, social event where they can work on technique and speed, as well as goof off and meet new paddling buddies. Non-club boaters are welcome at the event, and are actually heavily recruited by clubs looking for representatives to log some additional starts. The Canoe Club Challenge will again consist of three rounds throughout the summer.

Canoe Club Challenge paddlers waiting for the queue to start their runs
through the race gates.

Also new in 2010 was the Duck N’ Run race, a light-hearted “adventure race for everyone” consisting of a five-mile whitewater duckie paddle on the Nantahala (including Nantahala Falls), and a five-mile run on NOC’s Flint-Ridge Trail. This race and the new-for-2011 Nantahala River Raft Race give everyone, not just competitive athletes, opportunities to participate and win cool events. (By the way, our 2010 Duck N’ Run training videos were a big hit on the NOC Facebook page, and are worth a peek.) The new downriver raft race will present teams of four a chance to claim the official “fastest crew on the Nanthala” title.

Duck N' Run participants await the start signal at Ledges Rapid on the Nantahala River.

Another new event that established itself in 2010 is the Great Pumpkin Pursuit at NOCtoberfest. Our costumed race hosts chunked over 50 numbered pumpkins from rafts in Nantahala Falls for boaters to collect and redeem for prizes, including a new kayak. In 2011 we expect to toss over 100 pumpkins in the river from multiple rafts and to see the costume component of the event grow.

The 2010 Great Pumpkin Pursuit unfolds as paddlers chase pumpkins through
Nantahala Falls.

As for more serious events, NOC is working with the Smoky Mountain Relay to put on a 200+ mile relay running race extending from the Asheville area to Wesser. Teams of six and twelve runners will complete the course in just two days.

There’s also the Blue Ridge Breakaway bike race sponsored and supported by NOC (but organized by our friends at the Haywood Chamber of Commerce), that offers riders 24, 40, 66 and 105 mile ride options. Last year over 300 riders rode in the inaugural Blue Ridge Breakaway, and with the ride’s stellar organization, location and routes there’s every reason to expect this one to grow. We do have plans to introduce a new NOC-run cycling event in 2011, but we haven't received required permits yet. More details to come as our planning pans out.

New in April 2011 is an Appalachian Trail celebration we’re calling the Founder’s Bridge Festival, recognizing the bridge where the AT bisects NOC and crosses the Nantahala River. Expect vendors from leading gear producers, representative from area hiking clubs, free workshops, survival skills courses, speakers, book signings and live music—all focused on celebrating the nation’s most beloved footpath.


NOC’s popular retail events—spring’s Demo Days and summer’s Sizzling Sales Days—will return offering the best deals on new gear and the best savings of the year—short of GAF, of course. GAF 2010 was widely hailed as the “best GAF ever” (click here to see why), but we’ll do our best to make GAF 2011 even better.

Throngs of outdoor enthusiasts swarm the Used Gear Marketplace at GAF 2010.

All of these events will be supported with nighttime entertainment at The Pourover beside the banks of the Nanthala—one of the coolest places to see live music and enjoy being away from workaday responsibilities. We'll be returning our “Rock and Raft” music series and rafting promotion, which offers discounted 4pm trips that end in time for dinner and featured bands from Asheville, NC—a hotbed of cool, funky music.

As we look beyond 2011 we plan to develop Flint Ridge into a trails system that will accommodate competitive events for athletes of all skill levels. To this end, we also will be holding a Spring and a Fall Trail Days (to be announced), where we'll invite guests to help us do some work on this trail system. Once finished, Flint Ridge will be accessible (and free!) to riders and runners year round, with all the conveniences of being located at NOC. (No permitting issues or closures either.)

So, that’s the deal with NOC special events moving forward. I hope you plan on joining us at some of these in 2011. We’re open to feedback and suggestions about the kinds of events our guests want to see, so feel free to comment here, on NOC's Facebook page or send an email to info@noc.com. It’s never too late to add another event to the calendar—just keep in mind that there’s only so much we can do, especially in the summer!

Thanks for supporting NOC and best of luck in the new year.

Charles Conner
NOC Marketing