Nantahala Gorge
Nantahala, in the Cherokee language, means “Land of the Noon-day Sun.” Over the course of centuries, the river here has carved out an eight-mile gorge that is so deep that many parts of it see direct sunlight for only a short time each day. It is an area beloved for its natural beauty and its outdoor recreational opportunities, and is located within the Nantahala National Forest, approximately five miles south of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Building the 2013 Wave
In 2011, the Golden Leaf Foundation awarded the Swain County Tourism Development Authority a grant of $195,000 to fund construction of the 2013 Wave. The construction of this in-stream enhancement will create a world-class competitive freestyle kayaking feature in the Nantahala Gorge, making the Nantahala an attractive venue to host national and international events in this quickly-growing sport. The concrete and rock structure allows for fine-tuning for a variety of uses, and is being conducted with the support of the NC Department of Natural Resources, Swain County, NC, the US Forest Service, Duke Energy, and through the efforts of the Nantahala Gorge Organizing Committee.
Read more about the wave shaper in this article: New feature on the Nantahala river.
Website 2013 ICF World Championships Freestyle: www.freestylekayaking2013.com
Website Nantahala Outdoor Centre: www.noc.com
Event Venue
Nantahala Outdoor Center
13077 Hwy 19 West
Bryson City, NC 28713
GPS Coordinates: 35.331048, -83.591843
Driving Directions
www.noc.com/whitewater-rafting/nantahala-river/driving-directions