The World Famous GNAR!
Think you’re a fast paddler? Do you love running Nantahala Falls? Neither have to be true to participate in the GNAR. (Great Not A Race). It’s not really a race, but you do get to wear cool racing bibs to get your photo made. As a courtesy, we time your run(s) from Concrete Beach to the Viewing Stand. Jack and Ford Fleming have been timing this event for several years and have it wired. The paddler with the best time becomes the cover photo for Week of Rivers the following year.
We will have safety set at the bottom of Nantahala Falls to help you if you wreck. Rolling after sprinting for a minute is a little different from other experiences. Noon is sometimes a very busy time at the falls so there may be traffic to negotiate. Please don’t catch eddies on the way down as there are not multiple timers.
Start checking in around 1145. Practice runs are allowed. Multiple runs in different vessels is allowed. Participants must wear PFD and Helmet. Participants must still be in their craft at the finish for time to count. Upside down is okay. Successful rolls are greatly appreciated by the crowd.
Any last minute changes will be discussed at the Morning Meeting.
All participants in any Carolina Canoe Club (CCC) trip do so as common adventurers. The CCC or its individual members may coordinate paddling trips but no one is considered leader of a trip. As common adventurers, all participants take the responsibility for making their own decisions including, but not limited to, whether it is safe for them to participate on any particular water body, what equipment they need and use, the routes they may choose to paddle, whether their skill levels and abilities are adequate for the activity or whether climate and water conditions are appropriate for their participation. Participants are exclusively responsible for their own safety.
Individual coordinators for all CCC activities set requirements per their sole discretion. The CCC does not necessarily endorse or approve requirements set by coordinators.