Attaining upstream is about the easiest social distancing type of whitewater paddling we can do right now. No shuttle needed and no contact with others. But it’s a heck of a great physical and technical workout. Learn the attainment lines on the Nantahala River as I walk you up stream in my Pyranha Kayaks 12R […]
Tag Archives: nantahala outdoor center
November
18
Beginning the Antarctic Adventure
posted by Chris Hipgrave
In 1982, Argentina invaded a tiny, inhospitable island in the South Atlantic I’d never heard of. Soon there after, the British Task Force was dispatched to sail south and deal with the situation and as an impressionable teenager growing up in the UK, I spent the next 74 days glued to the TV as our […]
August
10
Paddle Grapple – Fontana Lake
posted by Chris Hipgrave
Nestled at the southern foot of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, Fontana Lakes cool emerald green waters offer a unique venue for a race. While most of the east coast is sweltering in heat, the mountains provide cool respite and an attractive venue for recreationialists, enthusiasts and expert paddlers looking for a mid […]
July
28
Gorge Downwind Championships
posted by Chris Hipgrave
With incredible scenery, almost guaranteed perfect daily downwind conditions, simple fast shuttles, great organization, abundant support from almost all the industry and a well contested competition … you are probably thinking of somewhere in Hawaii, South Africa or Australia. But no … this is the Gorge Downwind Championships in Hood River, Oregon and it is […]
June
23
Celebrating the 2016 Olympic Day
posted by Chris Hipgrave
Today we celebrate Olympic Day. Olympic Day was introduced in 1948 to commemorate the birth of the modern Olympic Games on 23 June 1894 at the Sorbonne in Paris. Every year the International Olympic Committee encourages everyone – regardless of age, gender or athletic ability – to get active on 23 June. Olympic Day is […]
June
16
Back to the Chattahoochee
posted by Chris Hipgrave
The “Back to the Chattahoochee” is an incredibly well executed race and festival organized and presented by Chattahoochee Riverkeeper (CRK) in partnership with the National Park Service and the city of Roswell. The event is organized to celebrate the Chattahoochee and foster a sense of community around the river that serves 3.5 million Georgians and […]
March
28
Winter Downriver Racing Series
posted by Chris Hipgrave
As the Winter comes to a close, so does the Winter series of whitewater races across the southeast. Each of the events wouldn’t be possible without the dedication and support of the host organizations that invest countless hours in the pursuit of delivering these massively successful events. They are a tribute to the health of […]
February
11
FIRST LOOK: DAGGER NOMAD (L)
posted by Chris Hipgrave
After a 12 year run, the tried and trusted Dagger Nomad has finally been replaced by the new Nomad (aka Newmad). During those 12 years, what we paddle and how paddle has evolved, so it’s only fitting that this benchmark creek legend finally get to evolve too. Production versions of the large Nomad started rolling […]
December
14
VIDEO: ECUADOR WHITEWATER
posted by Chris Hipgrave
Click on that “HD” button to capture all the action in vivid detail.
August
12
ICF Jr & U23 Wildwater World Championships
posted by Chris Hipgrave
The fastest whitewater paddlers in the World converged on the Nantahala River last week to participate in the 2015 International Canoe Federation, Junior and Under 23 Wildwater World Championships. Nearly 150 athletes from 13 nations made the pilgrimage to western North Carolina to test themselves against the river and each other, all in the pursuit […]
Chris Hipgrave 