Admission to the weekend of events
Event T-shirt
Group lake paddle with all equipment provided (if applicable)
Saturday Evening Dinner
Friday and Saturday Lodging Accommodations in NOC’s Basecamp
Women’s Paddlefest
Connect, paddle and build community May 29th - 31st, 2026 at the Nantahala Outdoor Center
Join Anna at the Nantahala Outdoor Center for a fun weekend of paddling trips, yoga, mental agility and connection.
Women’s Paddlefest is a community event that celebrates the legacy of Shannon Christy, a dear friend and paddler gone too soon.
Suitable for all skill levels.
Your registration includes:
Shuttle and safety boaters for paddling trips on the Tuck Gorge, Nantahala, Ocoee or on Fontana Lake.
Coffee talk with Anna - let’s talk courage and confidence over coffee!
T-shirt.
2 morning yoga classes.
Dinner on Saturday night.
Chance to win door prizes.
Proceeds from registration benefit the Shannon Christy Memorial Fund, that supports charities that empower women and girls.
Paddlefest Scholarship
NOC and MBP are happy to offer three equity-based scholarships for Women’s Paddlefest. Scholarship recipients will receive complimentary admission, a group paddle with equipment provided, dinner on Saturday night, and shared Basecamp lodging on Friday and Saturday nights.
Festival Schedule
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Friday
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Check in around Tree Top Nets by Big Wesser at Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC)
Saturday
7:15 AM – 8:15 AM
Yoga for Paddling with Anna (limited to 15)
8:30 AM – 9:30 AM
Last chance to check in!
9:30 AM – 10:00 AM
Mandatory meeting of all festival participants
10:15 AM
Shuttles to leave for Ocoee, Nantahala and Tuck Gorge and the Lake Fontana. Paddle, enjoy, make friends and return back to NOC in the afternoon. Bring your own lunch and snacks for the river and lake trips!
6:30 PM
Dinner provided by NOC
7:30 PM
The BIG RAFFLE!! This is your chance to win big. We’ve got a Dagger boat of choice, a Werner Sherpa, NRS gear and more to raffle off! More prizes will be announced as we get closer to the date!
8:30 PM
Campfire hosted at Gorgeous Stays.
Sunday
8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Yoga for Paddling with Anna
9:15 AM – 10:45 AM
Coffee talk in the shop! Let’s talk confidence, community and leadership for women in whitewater paddling.
11:15 AM
Shuttle up the Nantahala for our last informal community paddle.
Festival Schedule
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Friday
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
6-8pm | Check in early to grab your passes and swag in the Outfitter’s Store. On your way through enjoy yummy Fruit Smashes from New Belgium and enjoy a Women’s Paddlefest ONLY discount at the store! Saturday
7:15 AM – 8:15 AM
Yoga for Paddling with Anna on Tennis Courts
8:30 AM – 9:00 AM
Last chance to check in!
9:00 AM
Mandatory meeting and Group Photo at Relia’s
10:00 AM
Shuttles to leave for Ocoee, Nantahala and Tuck Gorge and the Lake Fontana. Paddle, enjoy, make friends and return back to NOC in the afternoon. Bring your own lunch and snacks for the river and lake trips!
6:30 PM
Dinner provided by NOC
7:30 PM
Raffle, social and bonfire outside of Relia’s This is your chance to win big. We’ve got a Jackson Kayak boat of choice, a Werner Fiberglass paddle, NRS gear and more to raffle of
Sunday
8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Yoga for Paddling with Anna
9:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Coffee talk outside of Relia’s with Anna. Let’s talk confidence, community and leadership for women in whitewater paddling.
11:00 AM
Shuttle up the Nantahala for our last informal community paddle
Make A Tax Deductible Donation
The Shannon Christy Memorial Fund lives at the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina. Donations are tax-deductible and support organizations and grants that empower women and girls.
Make your tax-deductible gift to the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina. Checks can be sent to the following address:
CFWNC
4 Vanderbilt Park Drive, Suite 300
Asheville, NC 28803
4 Vanderbilt Park Drive, Suite 300
Asheville, NC 28803
Please include ‘Shannon Christy Memorial Fund’ in the memo.
The following non-profits are supported through the Shannon Christy Memorial Fund:
Outdoor Afro
Helpmate
Our Voice
American Whitewater
Ascend: Leadership through Athletics
The American Canoe Association
GALS NC
French Broad River Academy Girls School
Live Like Maria Fund
Sarah Ruehlen Memorial Fund
The H2O Life Kilimanjaro Expedition
Rios to Rivers
Western Carolina University Foundation
Beloved Asheville
Mountain True
Cherokee Historical Foundation
Bright Shadow
Diversify Whitewater
Nantahala Racing Club
Thank you to our generous sponsors!
