Intermediate I Canoe 4-Day - Solo/ Tandem

Develop confidence and grace in your canoe on Class II-III whitewater.

Our experienced instructors will lead you through established skill progressions to help you build confidence and the skills necessary to enjoy Class II-III rivers with more power and grace. We'll start by reviewing the necessary balance and stroke skills and include several new skills to your repertoire. Throughout the week we'll progress into building competent river skills either in solo or tandem canoes.

Itinerary
Although each class varies with the needs and desires of the group, the following is a sample itinerary:

Sunday
Sunday evening starts with dinner at Relia's Garden Restaurant where you will meet your instructors and the others in your group. After dinner, you'll get a chance to review the activities of the week.

Monday
After breakfast, you'll head to our equipment area where we'll outfit you with high-quality canoeing gear. The next stop will be a nearby lake for practice of the basic strokes and techniques. You'll work on proper body posture, forward strokes and steering techniques. After a break for a deli-style lunch, most groups head to a Class I-II section of river to feel the exhilaration of their boat in motion, while other groups continue practicing their new skills on flatwater. Finish the day with dinner and the chance to share stories at the Paddler's Pub.

Tuesday
Enjoy another hearty breakfast before returning to the lake for more practice in preparation for a day on the river. After a short time on the lake, you'll move onto the exciting Class II rapids of the Tuckasegee River. You'll spend time learning to read and successfully negotiate the rapids, cross the river with "ferries" and gracefully move in and out of eddies using "eddy turns" and "peel outs."

Wednesday
Wake up early on Wednesday and travel to a nearby river for a full day of fun and skill development. A favorite run is part of the Chattooga River. Usually the group will choose to work on the 3-mile "Earl's to Sandy Ford" section. Challenging rapids like War Woman, Land of 1,000 Eddies, Rooster Tail, Dick's Creek Ledge excite just about every paddler. After a long day on the river, you will sleep really well.

Thursday
Some groups return to the lake to learn more complicated strokes before heading to a stretch of the Nantahala River. Most groups go straight to the river for an 8-mile paddle. At the end of the paddling day, you'll have the chance to run Class III Nantahala Falls more than once and take home a picture as a trophy of your adventure. Finish the day with a delicious farewell dinner and receive one of our coveted NOC Paddling School t-shirts before saying goodbye to your new friends. There's no need to rush home because lodging is included for the night!

We focus on your safety while teaching you how to manage unforeseen challenges on the water. During our river time over the weekend, we'll have the opportunity to paddle on Class II-III rapids. If you are not sure how rapids are classified, visit the AW International Scale of River Difficulty page.

Contact Us
Call the Guest Relations Office at 800-232-7238 for information regarding availability and options.

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