The Nantahala's Premier Slalom & Wildwater Competition
Elite slalom paddlers strive for precision and speed on the legendary Nantahala Falls course in this southeastern classic hosted by the Nantahala Racing Club. Wildwater racers compete in both sprint and classic components. Spectators are invited to enjoy the show from the Forest Service walkway along the Nantahala Falls, which affords excellent views of both races. Bring a cup of fresh coffee or hot cocoa from River's End Restaurant, located just downstream of the race course, and warm your hands as you enjoy US whitewater racing at its best!
The Bank of America US Whitewater Open offers two days of action, excitement and above all, beautiful racing. In the slalom event, athletes are polishing their racing plans in preparation for the USA Canoe/Kayak Slalom Team Trials, just a couple of weeks away, and tension is high as athletes vie for their spot on the podium. An elimination race-format will ensure drama to the very end.
Arrive early to nab a good view by the Nantahala Falls and cheer on our hometown favorites, NRC paddlers Scott Mann, Michal Smolen, and others! Don't miss your chance to watch them compete before they head overseas for the 2013 World Cup series.
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 2 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.
Wildwater
Wildwater athletes compete in two events, a short, dynamic Sprint, through the Nantahala Falls, and a Classic endurance race of about 3.5 miles. The US Open is an important early-season race for athletes training for the 2013 ICF Canoe Wildwater World Championships. These paddlers have put in a lot of long, cold hours on the water this winter; come out and support them as they put their training to the test! Nantahala Falls will provide for some spectacular viewing, or help cheer them into the finish line from the Founder’s Bridge near River’s End Restaurant.
2013 Event Schedule Slalom
Friday, March 22
Time
Location
Check-In / Late Registration
3:00-5:00pm
Slow Joe's Cafe
Open Practice
12:30-2:30pm
Nantahala Falls
Course Construction
2:00-5:00pm
Nantahala Falls
Demo Runs
5:30pm
Nantahala Falls
Saturday, March 23
Time
Location
Competitor's Meeting / Bib Pick-Up
9:00am
Slow Joe's Cafe
Foreruns
9:45am
Nantahala Falls
Slalom 1st Runs
10:00am
Nantahala Falls
Lunch Break
11:30am
N/A
Slalom 2nd Runs
12:30pm
Nantahala Falls
Demo Runs
5:00pm
Nantahala Falls
Banquet Dinner
6:00pm
Slow Joe's Cafe
Sunday, March 24
Time
Location
Competitor's Meeting
9:00am
Slow Joe's Cafe
Foreruns
9:45am
Nantahala Falls
Slalom 1st Runs
10:00am
Nantahala Falls
Lunch Break
11:30am
N/A
Slalom 2nd Runs
12:30pm
Nantahala Falls
Awards Ceremony
3:30pm
Slow Joe's Cafe
2013 Event Schedule Wildwater
Saturday, March 23
Time
Location
Registration
8:00-9:00am
River's End Restaurant
Competitor's Meeting
10:00am
River's End Restaurant
Sprint Start
11:00am
Patton's Run
Sunday, March 24
Time
Location
Competitor's Meeting
10:00am
Ferebee Park
Classic Start
11:00am
Ferebee Park
Awards Ceremony
1:00pm
River's End Restaurant
Event Store Specials
Nantahala River Forest Service Passes will be available for sale during the week prior to the event, and are required by the US Forest Service for all river users. They are $5.00 for the season, or $1.00 for the day. After the action, come check out what’s new for the season, including boats and paddles at the NOC Outfitter’s Store. The Outfitter’s Store is proud to feature the largest selection of Werner paddles in the country. Slalom racers, come check out our premier selection of neoprene socks and river shoes, admit it, you know your feet are cold.
