Thank you to those of you who attended Women’s Paddlefest at the Nantahala Outdoor Center and raised close to $3000.00 for charity! High water, mudslides and rain days before the event didn’t stop you from joining in community, empowering yourselves and having fun.

Instead of canceling we went ahead with the event modifying programming to Lake Fontana and the Nantahala, and consolidating the event to one day. We had 30 women on the lake and Anne Sontheimer from the NOC and I split the group and gave instruction on strokes and edge control/rolling.

At the end of the lake session we challenged women to shout out one word that described what they were taking away from their time on the water. Words included power, confidence, comfort, strength and ease. Who knew you could have so much fun and learn so much at the lake! (Well, we instructors did for sure!).

Laura Farrell from the Green River Takeover lead a group of 17 more advanced paddlers down the Nantahala that was running at 1700 cfs. All had fun and came back with big smiles!

After the river we headed to Endless River Adventures for a wine and cheese and then returned to the NOC for some down time relaxing, enjoying adult beverages by the water, playing cornhole, shopping in the store and socializing.

A delicious taco dinner was served for us at Big Wesser with cakes by Chris Port, followed by the big raffle! Congrats tothewinners of our big prizes gear from NRS, a paddle from Werner and a Dagger kayak of choice! All proceeds (close to $3000) are on their way to the Shannon Christy Memorial Fund that supports charities that empower girls and women.

Thanks to all of our sponsors Dagger, Werner, NRS, Mind Body Paddle, ERA, NRC, and especially the Nantahala Outdoor Center who hosted and provided

logistics. Mark your calendars for May 31st – June 2nd, 2019 for the 2nd Annual Women’s Paddlefest! See you there!

Enjoy a few more photos below, including from the morning yoga for paddling class that I taught to start the day off right!