General Participant Eligibility and Recommendations 

Adventuring outdoors is exciting and rewarding. It is one of the reasons so many people are attracted to outdoor recreation. HOWEVER, THERE ARE INHERANT RISKS AND DANGERS THAT EXIST THAT CANNOT BE CONTROLLED OR REMOVED. Some of those risks include encounters with wildlife, changing weather, hot and cold environments, changing water levels, objects under the surface of the water like wood and rocks, strong currents, uneven and slippery terrain, falling objects like trees and branches, and many other hazards that can neither be removed nor controlled.   

Nantahala Outdoor Center works very hard to set some of the highest standards in our industry for guide training, risk management, and safety. HOWEVER, NO ONE, INCLUDING THE NANTAHALA OUTDOOR CENTER, CAN PROMISE OR GUARANTEE THAT PARTICIPANTS WILL BE PROTECTED FROM ALL RISKS AND DANGERS. EVEN WHEN REASONABLE DECISIONS ARE MADE BY ALL PARTIES INVOLVED, RISKS AND DANGERS EXIST THAT CAN RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.  

By voluntarily participating in these activities, you are doing so with the knowledge that these and many other dangers are present, many of which cannot be controlled or removed, and that you are assuming these risks.    

Nantahala Outdoor Center strives to offer access to outdoor activities to the widest range of people with varying levels of abilities. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodation so long as those modifications do not fundamentally alter the nature of the trip, and if the accommodation is within our means to do so. If you have physical or mental limitations and wish to participate, we ask that you call in advance to discuss your participation with our staff. If you have a pre-existing physical or mental disability, or serious medical condition, we encourage you to speak to your treating physician/healthcare provider to determine if our trips are appropriate for you.  

Due to the inherent risks involved in adventure activities and for many other risk & safety reasons, we reserve the right to deny participation to anyone, remove anyone from a trip, and to split groups. These criteria are not meant to discriminate and are applied uniformly to all potential guests. These criteria exist for your safety, the safety of the other participants, and the safety of our guides. 

It is the responsibility of each participant to adequately assess themself and the other members in their group against these criteria. Much of this is personal and private knowledge that our staff will not have access to without your prior communication. You should not assume that the Nantahala Outdoor Center can evaluate each participant against all criteria.  

IMPORTANT: Please read the ‘Requirements’ section on the webpage for the activity in which you are interested in for any trip specific eligibility requirements (examples: age, height, weight, etc.).

1. Ability To Wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):

Ability to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) during activities when it is required. Including, but not limited to:

• Helmets  
• Personal floatation device (PFD) for water activities 
• Harnesses and gloves for zipline/aerial activities 

• Other protective equipment as required  

Original equipment manufacturer (OEM) set the guidelines for PPE fit. Participants must meet those guidelines in order to participate. Most rafting and inflatable rentals trips have a maximum chest size of 58 inches at the largest point. This limit is set by the OEM for the largest adult type 5 commercial whitewater lifejacket/personal flotation device (PFD) currently available.

2. Ability To Follow Instructions:

Ability to follow instructions, both verbal and non-verbal, in stressful situations.

3. Ability To Walk:

Ability to walk and maneuver unassisted in wilderness terrain for at least 200 yards – including but not limited to environments with rocks, slippery/wet surfaces, uneven surfaces, trees/branches/vegetation, routes near drop-offs and ledges, and up & down steep sloped surfaces.

4. Ability To Swim:

For water activities – it is recommended to have the ability to swim and actively participate in your own rescue if you become an involuntary swimmer. For rivers that are listed as challenging, it is strongly recommended to have the ability to continuously swim unassisted for 100 yards while wearing a PFD.

5. For Zipline And Aerials Activities:

For zipline and aerials activities – it is recommended to have the ability to walk one mile unassisted, to hold both hands overhead for more than a minute at a time, to be capable of climbing 3+ flights of stairs. For zipline specific activities it is also recommended to have the ability to pull oneself along a zipline cable unassisted and to use a gloved hand to create friction on zipline cables to slow oneself down.

6. Biking Activities:

For biking activities – it is recommended that you have relevant experience and health for the level of the activity for which you are participating. If renting bikes, it is strongly recommended to stay on trails with a difficulty rating that matches your current skill level and experience. If unsure, please speak to an NOC staff member.

7. Ability To Manage Your Health Needs And Personal Care Independently:

Ability to manage your health needs and personal care independently including but not limited to avoiding cold and heat related injuries and staying well fed and hydrated.

8. If Taking Medications:

If taking medications, ability to maintain proper dosage by medicating independently, or with the assistance of a friend or family member.

9. Respect And Courtesy:

Ability to treat others with courtesy and respect. Bad behavior and/or inappropriate language can be causes for immediate removal from an activity.

10. Participants That Are 17 And Under:

Participants that are 17 and under should be accompanied by an adult with decision-making authority – parent, guardian, teacher, camp counselor, etc.

11. You Should Not Participate If:

Participants should not participate in adventure activities if they:

• are pregnant or may be pregnant 
• are under the influence of alcohol, illegal drugs, or prescription medications that may impair their abilities and/or decision making 
• have a known health condition that requires immediate advanced medical intervention in the event of an emergency