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.
We come together this weekend to empower each other and share in the joys of being part of the paddling community. 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.
Paddlefest Scholarship
NOC and Mind Body Paddle want to make a more equitable outdoors for all. We would like to offer scholarships for this event to support a more accessible outdoor community where all are welcome. Three BIPOC women will be chosen to receive the following scholarship:
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
Festival Schedule
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Check in around Tree Top Nets by Big Wesser at Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC)
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.
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
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Check in around Tree Top Nets by Big Wesser at Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC)
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.
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.
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:
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, domestic violence services
Our Voice, rape crisis center
American Whitewater
Ascend (sponsored 2 young Afghan girls who resettled in Western North Carolina in 2021)
The American Canoe Association Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Program fund
GALS NC
French Broad River Academy Girls School
Live Like Maria Fund
Sarah Ruehlen Memorial Fund
Thank you to our generous sponsors!
