Women’s Kayak Retreat
Price: $490 - $650
Dates: May 15 - 17, August 14 - 16
Sign up to kayak with a supportive group of ladies under the guidance of NOC rockstar instructor Anne Sontheimer!
The Women's Kayak Retreat is open to female kayakers of all skill levels. Lodging on Friday and Saturday, breakfast and lunch for Saturday and Sunday, dinner on Saturday and a meet and greet with Anne on Friday night are all included. Plus, enjoy a one-hour yoga session to stretch out your limbs during a fun weekend of paddling!
Cost varies based on lodging type selected - click "Book Now" to explore your options! Below is a sample itinerary; stay tuned for a finalized weekend schedule.
About NOC Instructor Anne Sontheimer
Anne joined team NOC in 1994 as a Chattooga River guide, joined the ranks of our Paddling School team in 1996, and became a full-time NOC Paddling School Instructor in 2000 when she moved to Bryson City full time. Anne has led NOC Adventure Travel trips to Chile, Brazil, Jamaica, Costa Rica, and Panama. She also has her ACA Level 5 Whitewater Kayak Instructor Certification and is an ACA Instructor Trainer Educator (ITE) for Level 4 Whitewater Kayaking. Additionally, Anne is certified as a Wilderness First Responder and is a previous instructor with SOLO Southeast Wilderness Medicine, also housed on NOC's campus.
If that wasn't enough to convince you of the amazing time you'll have taking a course with Anne, we'll also add that she loves to mountain bike and ski in her free time, has won 2 Enduro Mountain Bike races, and is involved in tons of other local women's events including the Green River Takeover and Women's Paddlefest at NOC.
Sample Itinerary - All Times & Locations are subject to change.
| Friday | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Lodging Check-In | 3PM | General Store |
| Meet & Greet with Anne Sontheimer | 5:30-7PM | Big Wesser |
| Saturday | Time | Location |
| Breakfast | 8AM | Relia's Garden |
| Gear & Boat Selection | 9AM | Paddling School |
| Paddling Assessment | 10AM | Lake |
| Lakeside Lunch | 12PM | Lake |
| Paddling Assessment Cont. | 1PM | River |
| Wrap Up Day 1 | 4:30PM | PaddlingSchool |
| Dinner | 6PM | Relia's Garden |
| Sunday | Time | Location |
| Breakfast | 8AM | Relia's Garden |
| Meet & Leave | 9AM | Paddling School |
| Review | 9:30AM | Lake |
| Skills Building | 10:30AM | River |
| Lunch | 12PM | Riverside |
| Skills Building Cont. | 12:30PM | River |
| Wrap Up Day 2 | 4:30PM | Paddling School |
Outpost Overview
NOC's 500-acre adventure center is located at the intersection of the Nantahala River and Appalachian Trail.
Guest amenities include:
- Outdoor recreation activities including rafting, kayaking, zip lines, and mountain biking
- Three restaurants, including two on the riverfront
- Four retail stores, including NOC's flagship Outfitter's Store
- Rustic cabin and bunkhouse lodging for over 200
- Terminus for the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad
- One mile of Lake Fontana frontage with lake kayak and SUP program
- Host to over 30 annual events, from world championships to music festivals
