The French Broad River Race: US Wildwater Eastern Team Trials

Dates: Saturday, November 17 - Sunday, November 18, 2018

River Section: French Broad Section 9 (Barnard to Stackhouse)

Race Organizer: Alessia Faverio

Race Organizer Contact: amfaverio@gmail.com

Race Description/Overview: The French Broad River Race is open to all crafts and participants, plastic or composite, canoe or kayak, come on out November 17th and 18th to test your mettle against some of the fastest paddlers in the United States. A weekend of fun, fast and family friendly racing is planned. Come race some quality class II-III whitewater in a classic race and two sprint races. If paddling in a wildwater boat, this event will also select the US Senior Wildwater Team for the 2019 season. For more information on team selection, visit the USA Wildwater website (www.usawildwater.com). Over the two days, there will be a classic race and two sprint races. The classic race is a downriver race that is approximately 12-20 minutes long. Each sprint race will be made up of two runs. The winner of the race will be decided by the best of the two runs. The overall winner of the sprints will be determined by a combination of the results of both sprint races. This is an Nantahala Racing Club sponsored event. 

General River information: French Broad - Section 9 is a class II-III run by Marshall, NC. It is characterized by a relatively wide river and technical rapids. For more specific rapid descriptions and information, please visit the American Whitewater page (https://www.americanwhitewater.org/content/River/detail/id/1074/). Because this is a natural river, the courses are always open for practice. 

River Level Range: 1500 cfs to 4000 cfs

Safety Overview: Participants are required to follow all ICF and USA Wildwater rules and regulations. Simply, you are required to wear a functioning PFD, helmet and footwear that has a sole. Boats must have bow and stern flotation. There will be safety boaters present below most major rapids.

Indoor Lodging:

Hot Springs Resort and Spa

315 Bridge Street, Hot Springs, NC 28743

828.622.7676

Marshall House Inn

100 Hill Street, Marshall, NC 28753

828.649.6445

Bon Paul and Sharky’s Hostel

816 Haywood Road, Asheville, NC 28806

828.775.3283

Multiple Asheville Hotels

Camping:

Hot Springs Campground

315 Bridge Street, Hot Springs, NC 28743

828.622.7676

Creek Ridge Camping

660 Henderson Drive, Hot Springs,NC 28743

828.622.9955

Mill Ridge Campsite - Free

Google Maps - Mill Ridge Trailhead, Marshall, NC28753

French Broad Sec. 9 Campsite - Free

Across from Put-In

Camp Driftwood

2300 Old Marshall Hwy, Alexander, NC 28701

828.230.4422

French Broad River Campground

1030 Old Marshall Hwy, Asheville, NC 28804

828.658.0772

Bon Paul and Sharky’s Hostel

816 Haywood Road, Asheville, NC 28806

828.775.3283