ACA Open Canoe Slalom Nationals &
North American Championships
October 5-7, 2012

American Canoeing Comes to the Nantahala to Decide its Champion

NOC welcomes open canoe athletes and enthusiasts to the Nantahala River for three days of racing that will decide not only the National, but the North American Champion. Some of the country's best paddlers will test their skills at the technical Nantahala Falls course, and will also compete in a downriver event, starting at Feribee Park, and finishing at the NOC Founder's Bridge.

Open canoe slalom requires the same level of skill and precision as the Olympic discipline, but at heart it's still America's favorite family pass time, and many competitors come with family and friends. This year, to promote youth involvement, event organizers are offering free registration to any participant under 16 paddling tandem with a paying adult. All event registration includes 2 classes, and competitors are encouraged to compete in as many classes as they can.

This event is open to participants of all ages and ability levels, so come out and join the fun, and meet like-minded folks from around the country and beyond! Did you have fun at the Club Cup Challenge? The OC Nationals is a great opportunity to try your hand at some harder whitewater and support canoeing on a National level.

ACA Open Canoe Nationals 2012 Event Schedule

Preliminary Race  Schedule

Registration forms and information to follow. Please stay tuned for more details as this event approaches.

Spectator Information

In whitewater slalom, competitors navigate through a series of gates set on a technically challenging stretch of whitewater. Athletes must negotiate these gates in the correct order, incurring a 10 second penalty for touching a gate, or a catastrophic 50 second penalty for missing one. Each competitor gets two runs down the course, and the faster of the two counts as the final result.

The exciting Nantahala Falls course promotes convenient spectator viewing, particularly from the river-right platforms and sidewalk. Parking and event-site amenities, including restaurants, restrooms, convenience store and NOC's Outfitter's Store are located within easy walking distance from the competition.

For those who aren't interested in racing but would like to get out on the water, our expert guides will be on hand throughout the weekend and will have you splashing around in no time. Visit  NOC's Nantahala rafting and Paddling School pages for more information.

Lodging

Open Canoe Nationals participants will receive a special group rate at NOC's basecamp. To book your lodging, contact NOC reservations and tell them you are with the Open Canoe Nationals group. Please visit our Lodging page for information on cabins, Nantahala Inn and Basecamp.

No camping on NOC property is available for this event, however, numerous local campsite rentals, cabins, hotels and bed-and-breakfasts are available just a short walk (or drive) from NOC's Wesser Campus. A few local options include:

• AT Shelters: Rufus Morgan Shelter (0.8 mile South of NOC), Sassafras Gap Shelter ( 6.9 miles North of NOC)
• Camping: Lost Mine Campground, Nantahala Wesser Campground, Tsali Recreation Area
• Hotels: Bryson City Microtel, Bryson City Sleep Inn
• Cabin Rentals: Watershed Cabins

Please visit our Area Accommodations page for a full listing of local lodging and camping options.

Sign up!

Visit the ACA Open Canoe Slalom Committee's page for up-to date race info, registration forms, updates, and to register NOW!

For answers to your ACA Open Canoe Slalom Nationals related questions, please contact the Race Director at: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . For Nantahala Outdoor Center related questions, please write to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Thanks for your interest, and we hope to see you on the water!