NOC Spring Fling
Date: April 29 - 30, 2017
Time: All day
Price: Free
Age: All Ages
Celebrate spring in the Smoky Mountains with a free, family-friendly event in the Nantahala Gorge. Don't miss the NRC 4Fun Freestyle event, vendor fair and gear demos / specials at NOC's Outfitter's Store.
Scheduled releases of the Cascades and Upper sections of the Nantahala River round out this Bryson City weekend. Free NOC shuttles will run from the commercial Nantahala put-in from 9:30am - 3:30pm on both Saturday and Sunday.
Event Information
NRC For Fun Freestyle: A free, community event that is judged on style. Show off your moves at the Founders Wave.
Kids Surf!: Kids of all ages and ability levels are invited to play, surf, and make friends at the Founder's Bridge surf wave.
Vendor Fair: Check out the NOC’s 2017 paddling line up of Boats, Paddles, PFDS, helmets and other gear. Talk to vendor reps about hour-long boat demos to determine which boat is right for you. Reps from Jackson, Dagger, Pyranha, Astral, Werner, IR, NRS, and Kokatat will be in our parking lot helping with gear.
Cascades & Upper Nantahala Release: 250 CFS, Saturday & Sunday *Free shuttles run from the commerical put-in both days from 9:30am - 3:30pm*
Registration
- NRC For Fun Freestyle: Register on Saturday, 10 - 11 am @ Founders Bridge (River Left)
- Kids Surf!: Drop in to participate on Saturday, 2 to 4 pm @ NOC Founder's Bridge (River Left)
Retail Deals & Demos
Join us in the NOC Outfitter's Shop for deals on the industry's best whitewater products. Looking to try out a new boat -- join Jackson Kayaks, Pyranha and Dagger with demos on this years new boats, and maybe even a sneak peek at what is coming in 2018!
- 20% Off Helmets
- 20% Off Sprayskirts
- 20% Off Drysuits
- 20% Off Astral Footweat
- Up to 15% Off Select Kayaks
2017 Event Schedule
| Saturday, April 29 | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Vendor Fair & Gear Demos | 10 am - 4 pm | Outfitter's Store |
| NRC For Fun Freestyle Registration |
10 - 11 am | Bridge Wave |
| Cascades Release (250cfs) | 10 am - 4 pm | Cascades |
| NRC For Fun Freestyle START |
12 pm | Bridge Wave |
| NRC For Fun Freestyle Awards |
After Finish | Bridge Wave |
| Kids Surf! & Family Activities |
2 pm - 4 pm | Founder's Bridge |
| Sunday, April 30 | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Cascades Release (350cfs) | 10 am - 4 pm | Nantahala Cascades |
Directions
Nantahala Outdoor Center's main campus, the Nantahala River Outpost is located in far Western North Carolina on US Highway 19. 12 miles from Bryson City and on the south side of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the outpost is nestled in the Nantahala Gorge. If you are on a Rapid Transit rafting/train excursions, the meeting place is in Bryson City at the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad Depot.
From Asheville, NC: Take I-40 West towards Knoxville, TN. Take exit 27 onto US 74 West towards Waynesville. Stay on 74 West, the outpost is 50 miles down this road. 8 miles past Bryson City, the 4-lane will split into two 2-lane roads. Stay on 74, the left lane. You will enter the Nantahala Gorge and after 5-miles you see the Nantahala River and NOC's Nantahala Outpost.
From Gatlinburg, TN: Take 441 South through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and through Cherokee. Just past Cherokee, get on 74 West. After 15 miles, the road will split into two 2-lane roads. Stay on 74 W, the left lane, and continue the 5-milts to the NOC Nantahala Outpost.
From East Atlanta: Take I-85 North to I-985 North. At Gainesville, take 365 North to 441 North. Just past Dillsboro, NC, 441 merges with US 74. 8 miles past Bryson City, the 4-lane splits into two 2-lane roads. Stay on 74, the left lane. Continue 5-miles and arrive at the NOC Nantahala Outpost.
From West Atlanta: Take I-75 North to I-575 North. I-575 becomes State Hwy 5, and then Hwy 76. Stay on this road until Blue Ridge, GA where you turn left onto Hwy 60 towards Mineral Bluff, GA. In Mineral Bluff, turn right onto Hwy 60 Spur. Follow it into North Carolina to US 74 East, turning right towards Murphy and Andrews when the road ends. Stay on 74 East, NOC's Nantahala Outpost is 20-miles past Andrews. You will follow the Nantahala River for the last 8-miles.
From Chattanooga, TN: Take I-75 North towards Cleveland, TN. Take the 1st Cleveland exit, the US 64 Bypass Exit. Go 6-miles and take the Ocoee Exit onto US 64 East towards Murphy, NC. In Murphy the road number changes to US 74. Stay on 74 East, NOC's Nantahala Outpost is 20-miles past Andrews. You will follow the Nantahala River for the last 8-miles.
