Have you been to the U.S. Nat'l Whitewater Center? I'm thinking of going soon because nothing else is running.

11/15/2007 12:40:04 AM

I've been there a couple times. I haven't been rafting on it yet, but I was out there to watch the Junior Kayaking World Championships and stuff. The portion of it that they have for rafting gets up to maybe Class IV. The difficulty obviously isn't too great because of all the amateurs they have running it, most of the time the guide does all the work and no one even has to paddle. So if you're experienced rafter, you probably don't wanna do this unless maybe you can get them to let you guide .

As far as kayaking goes this is the place to be. They can do so much with the flow and alterations of its path that it creates tons of variability to challenge and train kayakers.

11/15/2007 12:41:33 PM

they have the ability to change the dynamics by moveable fake rocks

I know the moutain biking trails and rock climbing are said to be great, don't know about the white water.

11/15/2007 12:51:37 PM

I did the whitewater this summer and did not care much for it. IMO it was too expensive for what you got. I preferred even the easy lower Nantahala to this.

11/15/2007 2:35:37 PM

I did the whitewater this summer and loved it, but it all depends on who else is in your raft and your guide. You can get down all of them easily, but you can go down sideways and surf em and have some real fun and get tossed out. Would reccomend tho, try to take 5 ppl so you can have your own raft. PM me if you have any questions

11/15/2007 4:07:33 PM

I'm interested in kayaking it... rafting is just my day job.

Here's my blog entry for the day. I'm pretty sure the USNWWC can't match this.

I got really lucky today and caught the Tellico during the couple of hours that it was runnable after yesterday's rains! Despite the fact that I asked everyone I knew to ride over there with me, no one wanted to head out in the 32 degree weather with no notice to go on a wild river chase with me. I'll never understand why. Anywho I braved the blowing snow as I crossed the Tellico mountains into TN and found every solo paddler's best friend; "some guy." "Some guy" turned out to be a very knowledgeable paddler and though he deemed it crazy stupid to actually hit the river in this cold he was more than willing to help me work out my line and take pictures of the imminent carnage. The fall colors were gorgeous, and the scenery of the Tellico Gorge equally fabulous. I said a little prayer and then... well see for yourself!

First run at 13' Baby Falls on the Tellico.

11/15/2007 10:05:19 PM

bttt

11/16/2007 1:03:19 AM

I don't know what you were expecting, but yeah you're def not gonna get any of that at the WWC

11/16/2007 5:08:07 PM

i've been once...its pretty cool...didnt raft though just checked it out about a month after it opened

11/16/2007 5:13:13 PM

I expect the WWC will be a lot like masturbation... a poor but sometimes necessary substitute for the real thing.

11/16/2007 5:26:52 PM

I've been 3 times and found it pretty enjoyable each time. Get your reservations before you go.

11/16/2007 5:40:07 PM

This time of year?

11/16/2007 5:41:49 PM

Yes, any time of year. They arent exactly staffed to handle walk-ins. I have had reservations twice and they didnt have the staff to take my group out. Get reservations.

11/16/2007 6:43:42 PM

whoh this sounds awesome

I had no idea places like this existed

11/16/2007 8:45:11 PM

^^ I dont think you would need one to kayak it, but who knows... doesnt hurt to call ahead

11/16/2007 9:04:37 PM

I think I'm going this weekend.

11/20/2007 2:24:26 AM

The times I've been me and my dad just sit on the deck, drink beer, and laugh at noobs when they fall in

11/20/2007 1:05:52 PM

it's fun

11/20/2007 1:35:34 PM

Seeing n00bs pwnt is always good for shits and giggles and provides valuable training opportunities. My countless hours hanging out at Nantahala Falls are the reason why I'm better with a throw rope than anyone on the rescue squad.

11/21/2007 12:46:25 AM

bttt

5/22/2008 2:44:12 PM

WHY?

5/22/2008 2:57:47 PM

I've been 5 or 6 times. Its a great way to spend a saturday morning. They can definitely turn up the levels depending on how you like it. I would recommend it, i know you are an avid kayaker, I think you would enjoy it.

I have never been in a kayak, usually we get a group of 5 or 6 and go early and raft

5/22/2008 3:08:23 PM

I'm hoping to take my little brother on Monday after the Coca-Cola 600.

Have any of you ever seen a "duckie" or "funyak" over there? My brother's not much of a boater and I was thinking of taking one of ours if they allow them.

5/22/2008 4:17:21 PM

I bet they have a number you can call.

5/22/2008 7:09:20 PM

Yeah, but I don't like talking to "people."

5/23/2008 5:09:07 AM

I called them today and they very politely told me "we do not allow any inflatables."

I suppose they aren't worried about their $texas debt and losing money to operate.

I've talked to some other boaters who've told me they were told on the phone they could bring their Shredder (an advanced whitewater cataraft), or Aire Puma (a pro-grade raft) only to be turned away at the gate. I can understand not allowing the K-Mart coffins people show up at the Nantahala with, but these are sophisticated and expensive craft. People have run the Cheoah, the Green River Narrows, and even Oceana on the Tallulah in a Shredder, I think it can handle the whitewater center.

Here's a good carnage video of a Shredder on Oceana.

5/23/2008 2:10:36 PM