Women's Paddlefest

Description

2025 Women’s Paddlefest is FULL!

Event Information

Women’s Paddlefest 2025 is coming! Join us for an unforgettable weekend of paddling, connection, and adventure at the annual Women’s Paddle Retreat, hosted by Mind Body Paddle and NOC—all in support of the Shannon Christy Memorial Fund. For $75, your ticket includes yoga sessions, a supported Saturday River trip, an optional Sunday paddle, a delicious group dinner, motivational morning chats with Anna Levesque, a special event t-shirt, and more.  

• Please bring your own boat, but if you need a rental ducky for the Nantahala River or SUP and a flatwater kayak for Lake Fontana, let us know in advance, and we’ll get you set up.  
• If you have any dietary restrictions for Saturday’s dinner, please inform us beforehand.
• Not an experienced woman paddler? Not a problem, you can add on our Paddling School’s Intro to Whitewater Course to your weekend!

Scholarship Information

The Women’s Paddlefest Scholarship reduces financial barriers and creates more inclusive opportunities for women to participate in outdoor adventure and paddlesports. We offer three scholarships to support representation and access to the outdoors, encourage connection and empowerment, and promote diversity in paddlesports.

Weekend Schedule

Friday, May 30th

6:00 – 8:00 pm | Check-in early to grab your passes and swag in the Back Yard of Big Wesser. On your way through, enjoy a bonfire and yummy drinks! Feel free also to watch or join the Cornhole Tournament happening in the Back Yard. It’s free to enter, with prizes for winning teams. 

Saturday, May 31st      

Get ready for a wonderful Saturday packed with paddling, community, and Mother Nature! Start your day with rejuvenating yoga and uplifting coffee chats to spark inspiration. Then, hit the water for your selected group paddle before gathering for a delicious group dinner at Relia’s Garden. Cap off the evening with an exciting raffle and some community time by the bonfire! 

7:15 am | Morning Yoga on the Tennis Courts at NOC 

8:00 am | Coffee Chat with Anna Levesque of Mind, Body, Paddle at Slow Joe’s Coffee Bus 

9:00 -10:00 am | Depart for your Trips! 

Choose one of these group trips: 

• Lake Fontana – Enjoy a flatwater paddle on SUP or flatwater kayak. This is the easiest level with a capacity of 30 participants and is right on NOC’s Campus. 

• Tuckasegee River is a novice venue for inflatables, but some experience required for hard shell kayaks has a capacity of 30 participants. Guests will be shuttled from NOC to and from the local river. 

• Nantahala River is an experienced required river with a capacity of 30 participants and ends right at NOC! Guests will be asked to meet at the put-in and shuttled to their cars at the end of the trip. 

• Ocoee River is the most advanced river, with a capacity of 15 participants. This trip is meant for experienced paddlers and will be shuttled to and from the put-in and take-out. 

6:30 pm | Group Dinner at Relia’s Garden 

7:30 pm | Raffle, bonfire, and social outside of Relia’s Garden 

Sunday, June 1st 

Don’t let the final day of Women’s Paddle Fest slip away—this is your last chance to soak up the adventure and sisterhood! While attendance is optional, you won’t want to miss a peaceful morning yoga session, an uplifting coffee chat, and one last unforgettable group paddle down the beautiful Nantahala River. 

8:00 am | Morning Yoga on the Tennis Courts 

9:30 am | Coffee Chat with Anna Levesque of Mind, Body Paddle at Slow Joe’s. 

10:00 am | Optional Nantahala River Trip – Choose to gather a group for a raft or try a ducky, and let’s paddle the river together! 

Lodging is available!

Gather a group of ladies and stay right on campus! Located in the Nantahala National Forest, NOC’s campus offers various accommodations to suit every budget and group size. Please remember to book in advance.

No refunds after May 1st, 2025. All proceeds from canceled tickets go directly to the non-profit donation.
Have a question? Email our Events Coordinator at events@noc.com