Guest Appreciation Festival
Description
We look forward to seeing everyone in 2024!
Snag great deals from the Outfitter’s Store, the Guest Used Gear Marketplace, and shop handmade crafts and goods from local artisans. Play riverside games or participate in a race, grab a cold beverage and burger, and dance the evening away with live music.
The Used Boat sale will begin online a week before GAF! Used boats and gear will be available onsite at both the NOC Paddling School and the Outfitter’s Store so be sure to check them out when you visit!
Currently accepting waitlist vendors for both Artisan & Used Gear Marketplaces. Register using the buttons below and someone will contact you if space opens.
Schedule of Activities
| Friday, 9/15 | ||
| 8am | GAF Demo Pre-boat sale | Online sale starts at 8am. The sale at the NOC Outfitters Store starts at 9am |
| Friday, 9/22 | ||
| 8am-8pm | Paddleports Apparel and Used Boats On Sale | The Outfitters Store & the NOC Paddling School |
| 12-7pm | Used Gear Marketplace & Artisan Village | River Left at NOC |
| 5-8pm | Live Music by Wyatt Espalin | Riverside Stage |
| Saturday, 9/23 | ||
| 8am-8pm | Paddleports Apparel and Used Boats & Apparel Sales | The Outfitters Store & the NOC Paddling School |
| 8am - 7pm | Used Gear Marketplace & Artisan Village | |
| 10am-5pm | Upper Nantahala / Cascades Release | 300 CFS |
| 12-3pm | NRC Race | Nantahala Slalom Course |
| 12-3pm | Macon Faces Kids Facepainting & Henna | Free until 3pm! |
| 12-3pm | Magic Tom | Balloon art & Magic |
| 3pm-6pm | Live Music by Christina Chandler Trio | Riverside Stage |
| 5pm | Check Presentation to American Rivers | Riverside Stage |
| 7pm-10pm | Live music by The Get Right Band | Riverside Stage |
| Sunday, 9/24 | ||
| 8am-4pm or further(pending participation) | Paddleports Apparel | The NOC Paddling School |
| 8am - 6pm | Apparel and Used Boats Sales | The Outfitters Store |
| 10am-3pm | Upper Nantahala / Cascades Release | 425 CFS |
| 3-5pm | Upper Nantahala / Cascades Release | 250 CFS |
GAF MAP AND SCHEDULE CAN BE FOUND HERE
NRC Slalom Race
Come join us for a fun fall citizen’s slalom race on the Nantahala River! The race is open to paddlers of all ages and the course difficulty will be novice – intermediate.
The slalom course will start just above the NOC Founder’s Bridge and end upstream of the highway bridge. The course will consist of 18-20 slalom gates and will run through the 2013 Worlds Hole. Racers are encouraged to use slalom-specific or plastic “half-slice” boats and have at least class 2 river running skills.
Signup by emailing nantahalaracingclub@gmail.com or same day registration will be available Saturday morning by the NRC Trailer. A start list and information will be provided by email.
2022 GAF was a Blast! ⬇️
