NOC's Canoe Club Challenge
June 15, July 20, and August 17, 2013

Calling all canoe kids, clubs & friends!

In 2013, the Canoe Club Challenge will feature both downriver and slalom components, offering something for every paddler's palate. There's no better event in the southeast to meet friendly, like-minded folks, have some laughs on the river, and improve your paddling to boot.

Following the Canoe Club Final, we will raffle off a new 2013 kayak as a grand prize. Clubs will accumulate points over the course of three Canoe Club Challenge slalom and downriver races, and each point will count towards one raffle ticket, so the club with the most points has the biggest chance of winning.

See below for more information about Canoe Club Challenge NEW & REVISED points system and scoring.

2013 NOC's Canoe Club Challenge Events Schedule

2013 Events Schedule Coming Soon!

Volunteer!

As in years past, we will need volunteers at all times throughout the day to help with scoring. Organizers will have a sign-up board at registration, so please put yourself down for a time-slot that will work for you, and help us keep this a free event!

Each completed 2-hour volunteer slot will earn you a raffle ticket for the prize drawing following the event!

Registration

• Race registration is FREE!
• In June and July, competitors will register at the Event Tent at NOC for both slalom and wildwater components.
• In August, competitors will register for the GCA Southeastern Downriver Championships at the Wayah Forest Service put-in. August slalom registration will remain at the event tent at NOC.
• All competitors must complete an NOC waiver and registration form, and are limited to participation in two classes. Classes are subject to a minimum of three athletes. Registration will be followed by a mandatory pre-race competitor's meeting.
• Due to the large number of competitors, we cannot take any late-registration. Everyone is welcome to paddle the course, but only paddlers wearing an NOC race bib will be scored.

2013 Slalom Info

Slalom Race Rules:

• The slalom course will be set the day before, and paddlers are welcome to take as many practice runs as they wish leading up to the race.
• Once the race starts, the course will be closed to practice runs.
• Competitors get two race runs in each class, and can compete in a maximum of two classes. The goal is to negotiate the course with a fast, clean run - clean means making it through each of the gates without touching any poles.
• Each completed run earns the paddler one raffle ticket.
• Each clean run earns the paddler two raffle tickets.
• Following each event, we will hold a raffle for prizes. Individuals win prizes when their name is drawn out of the Canoe Club Challenge hat.
• Following the Canoe Club Challenge Championships in August, we will hold a drawing for the Grand Prize - a boat donated by our 2013 presenting sponsor! (2013 sponsorship is yet to be determined.) The winner of the Grand Prize will be the canoe club whose member is drawn.

Note that you need not be an official member of a paddling club to participate. Boaters can "team up" with clubs at the event, or make up their own club just for the Canoe Club Challenge.

Finally, remember that the Canoe Club Challenge is more about having having a good time, meeting other boaters and improving your paddling skills than winning runs. Come prepared to have fun on the water with friendly area paddlers.

Class Order and Logistics:
Kayaks and C1s will race first, OC classes will follow once they have finished. There will be no start list, and competitors in each class are welcome to start whenever they're ready. All competitors must wear their assigned bib to start. Each competitor can run the course two times during the race.

Practice runs:
The course will be open for training prior to the event, and competitors are encouraged to take a couple practice runs.

Prizes:
Everyone has a chance to win at the Canoe Club Challenge, because we'll be awarding raffle prizes rather than awards for top finishers. However, paddlers who negotiate the course with a clean run will be recognized for their finesse by earning two raffle tickets, increasing their chance of winning.

We'll also have special prizes for our youth competitors, so be sure to bring your youngsters!

2013 Downriver Info

• JUNE: Sprint - Concrete Beach above Nantahala Falls to Old Hwy Bridge below 2013 Wave
  
• JULY: Classic - Ferebee Part to NOC Founder's Bridge
• AUGUST: GCA Southeastern Whitewater Championships - Wayah Forest Service Put-in to NOC Founder's Bridge

• Logistically, it is possible for competitors to race in one downriver class only.
• Downriver race results will count as one point towards Canoe Club Challenge Final Scores
• Times will be posted on the events page following the event.

Music:
The event will end around 6pm, giving paddlers plenty of time to change, eat and relax before the raffle at 7:00 pm. Then, stick around to hear the band; free live music will start at The Pourover Pub around 8pm.