Nantahala Outdoor Center facts for kids
The Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC) is a famous outdoor adventure company. It's located in western North Carolina, near Bryson City. This area is close to the beautiful Great Smoky Mountains and right on the Nantahala River. The Nantahala National Forest surrounds the center, making it a perfect spot for outdoor activities. The Appalachian Trail, a very long hiking path, even crosses the Nantahala River right next to NOC!
NOC started in 1972. It was founded by Payson and Aurelia Kennedy, along with Horace Holden Sr. They took over an old motel and turned it into the amazing outdoor center it is today.
Contents
Exciting River Adventures
NOC is well-known for its thrilling whitewater rafting trips. They offer adventures on six different rivers in the Southeastern United States. These rivers include the Chattahoochee, Chattooga, French Broad, Nantahala, Ocoee, and Pigeon.
Learning to Paddle
If you want to learn how to paddle, NOC has a great school for canoes and kayaks. They teach people how to safely navigate rivers and enjoy the water. NOC also cares a lot about protecting these rivers and the land around them. They work with groups like the Forest Service to help keep these natural areas clean and safe. Sometimes, they are even the first to report problems happening on or near the rivers.
More Outdoor Fun
Besides water sports, NOC offers many other exciting activities. You can rent mountain bikes and explore trails. They have ropes courses where you can climb and challenge yourself. There are also restaurants, outdoor gear shops, and special programs for groups.
Ziplining and Tubing
NOC also offers fun ziplining at their main location in Bryson City. Imagine soaring through the air above the trees! They also have tubing trips down the Chattahoochee River, which is a relaxing way to float and enjoy the water.
Learning New Skills
NOC provides many outdoor education courses for everyone. Beyond their paddling classes, they teach important skills like wilderness medicine. These classes include wilderness first aid and wilderness first responder training. They also offer swift water rescue classes, which teach you how to help people in fast-moving water. These courses can even lead to special certifications in wilderness medicine.
Exploring the World with NOC
Since 2022, NOC has offered amazing international trips. These trips take people to exciting places all over the world. Some past destinations include British Columbia, Argentina, Iceland, and Africa.
Adventures for Everyone
NOC's international trips are designed for different ages and skill levels. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced adventurer, there's a trip for you. These expeditions go to incredible places like Mount Kilimanjaro, Machu Picchu, and even to see the Northern Lights in Iceland.
Olympic Connections
The Nantahala Outdoor Center has a strong connection to the Olympic Games. Many talented athletes have trained there. John Burton, a former NOC president, was on the first U.S. Olympic slalom team in 1972. His teammate, Angus Morrison, also competed in the Olympics multiple times.
Training Future Champions
Many other Olympians have trained at NOC on the Nantahala River. These include famous paddlers like Lecky and Fritz Haller, Horace Holden Jr., Wayne Dickert, Joe Jacobi, Scott Strausbaugh, and Scott Shipley.
Joe Jacobi and Scott Strausbaugh made history in 1992. They won an Olympic gold medal in whitewater canoeing at the Barcelona Games. They are the only Americans to have won gold in whitewater. NOC continues to be an important training site for whitewater athletes from all over the United States.
