Learn To Canoe 2-Day - Solo/Tandem

Learn the Fundamentals of whitewater canoeing - Guaranteed!

Spend a relaxing weekend padding a solo or tandem canoe on the waterways of the majestic Smoky Mountains. Experienced NOC instructors help you develop basic techniques and guide you along Fontana Lake and the beautiful Class I-II Little Tennessee River. We use the trademarked Rapid Progressions teaching system, the only whitewater instruction program that guarantees your success.

Itinerary
Although each class varies with the needs and desires of the group, the following is an example of your itinerary:

Friday
Start with a 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 weekend.

Saturday
After breakfast, you'll head to our equipment area to get outfitted with high-quality canoeing equipment. The next stop will be at a nearby lake for practice of the basic strokes and techniques. We will work on developing solid fundamentals of canoe strokes and maneuvers. A short, afternoon river trip will be devoted to communication skills and team building. Finish the day with dinner and the chance to share stories of the day's adventures at the Paddler's Pub.

Sunday
After breakfast, the group will go to an easy section of river like the Tuckasegee. If water levels allow, we'll travel to the nearby Little Tennessee River for a full day of fun in moving water and Class I rapids. This is a great way to enjoy the thrill of moving water combined with the natural beauty found in the protected Needmore Tract of the Little Tennessee watershed. We'll paddle through the 4600-acre Needmore Tract that buffers one of the best remaining examples of what Southern Appalachian rivers should look like. This section of river still contains its full complement of original species - the only major river in the Blue Ridge to do so. You'll find that these river miles go surprisingly quickly! Finish the day with a delicious dinner and receive one of our coveted NOC Paddling School t-shirts before saying goodbye to your new friends.

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 Class I and Class II rapids. If you are not sure how rapids are classified, visit the AW International Scale of River Difficulty page.

Look here to see the full list of Canoe Rapid Progressions Guaranteed Skills (PDF format).

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

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