Races, Competitions, Freestyle, Slalom, 2012 Whitewater Kayak Events, Southeastern rivers, Nantahala River

Locust Fork Invitational
February 4th & 5th, 2012

The Alabama Cup Races bring together three of the favorite events of the southeast: the Locust Fork Invitational, Mulberry Cup Race and Locust Fork Classic. The Locust Fork Invitational, since 1991, is the first of the three events to be held in the spring of 2012.

Nantahala Racing Club Glacier Breaker
February 25-26, 2012

The Glacier Breaker, hosted by the Nanhahala Racing Club (NRC), is the season-opener for two competitive whitewater disciplines: wildwater and slalom. A complete schedule of events and details can be found at NRC Events page.

National Paddling Film Festival
February 24 & 25, 2012

For 30 years the National Paddling Film Festival has been hosting a competition to determine the best in paddle sport videos and images. This competition has provided the paddling community with a fun and profitable event to support American Whitewater and river conservation. Check out the website for more on the 2012 event.

Mulberry Fork Canoe & Kayak Race
March 3rd & 4th, 2012

The second event in the Alabama Cup Races, the Mulberry Fork Race has been held on Alabama's Mulberry Fork River since 1981 and has hosted the likes of Olympic slalom athletes and local recreational boaters paddling side-by-side through the slalom gates.  See the Alabama Race Club Events page for more information.

Bank of America US Whitewater Open
March 24-25, 2012

Watch world-class paddlers compete in both downriver and slalom competitions in the season’s first major competitive event. The 2012 slalom events are of great interest because this year will narrow down the field to the top five slalom athletes who will represent the United States at the 2012 Olympics in London. A complete schedule of events and details can be found at on the Nantahala Race Club's NRC Events Page.

Locust Fork Classic
March 24th & 25th, 2012

Finishing up the Alabama Cup Series and determining the winners of the combined events, the Locust Fork Classic is a great way to finish out the series.  See the Alabama Race Club Events page for more information.

The 8th Annual Nanthala Open
April 21st, 2012

The Nantahala Open has gained the reputation as the number one favorite fun competition on the Nantahala River. The event happens at Nantahala Falls and is open to all boaters no matter the experience or ability, consisting of categories for every skill level--and the prizes that go along with them! The event is sponsored by Endless River Adventures and Wave Sport kayaks. Highlight this weekend on your calendar to participate in the Nantahala Open and the fun following the river.

NOC Freestyle Shootout
April 20-22, 2012

The 2012 NOC Freestyle Shootout will be the first official Freestyle event to be held at the newly enhanced Nantahala Freestyle Wave, designed for the upcoming 2013 ICF Canoe Freestyle World Championships. The first formal cometition on the Nantahala Freestyle Wave, The event is open to competitors of all ages and ability levels.  For more information check out NOC's events page.

Ocoee Hometown Throwdown
May 26, June 23, July 21, August 18 2012

Sponsored by Worldkayak.com the Ocoee throwdowns have been added to the 2012 schedule.

Nantahala Hometown Throwdowns
June 17, July 22, August 19, 2012

Sponsored by World Kayak, the Hometown Throwdowns are held on several venues througout the southeast, three of the events happening on the Nantahala River this summer. The event is open to all and every freestyle boater with classes from junior on up. This year the Nantahala events will be held at the newly re-designed Nantahala Freestyle Wave--host of the upcoming 2013 ICF Canoe Freestyle World Championships. Check out the World Kayak website for more beta on the throwdowns.

The Camp Cup Challenge
July 23-24, 2012

The Nantahala River is a highlight for summer campers who come to whitewater raft, canoe and kayak.  A long-time favorite event for summer campers, the Camp Cup Challenge was revitalized four years ago by Sean and Kristin Bierle of the Alzar School. The event brings together over 100 summer campers from the multitude of summer camp programs in western North Carolina who boast whitewater kayak and canoe programs.  Event highlights include a downriver race through Nantahala Falls in canoes, kayaks and C-1s, a slalom race at the Nantahala Bridge Gates, with campers being supported by a host of guest coaches including our own Juliet.

ICF Canoe Freestyle World Cup Final
September 7-9, 2012

The 2012 World Cup FInal will bring international paddlers to the Nantahala Gorge to test out the new Nantahala Freestyle Wave--site of the 2013 International Freestyle Event. Confused about Freestyle Competition events? Check out Bryan Kirk's interview on the world of freestyle competition.

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

Join a host of both canoe athletes and canoe enthusiasts for a three day competition that will decide both the National and the North American Canoe Champions in OC-1 and OC-2.  For more information answers on the ACA Open Canoe Nationals related questions, contact NOC events manager Zuzana Vanha at zuzana.vanha@noc.com.