U.S. National Whitewater Center

The U.S. National Whitewater Center is the world’s premier outdoor recreation and environmental education center offering activities such as Rafting, Biking, Climbing, Ziplines, Eco Trekking and more.

Whitewater Kayaking

The world’s largest man-made whitewater river is just minutes of Downtown Charlotte. A major advantage of paddling the whitewater course at the USNWC is the consistent quality of rapids and the limited amount of flatwater.

What to do if you are an experienced kayaker:

(Experienced kayakers own all their own gear: helmet, boat, paddle, personal flotation device and spray skirt.)

  1. Choose a Passthat is right for you:
    • QuickSport Pass: $25. Single day pass for whitewater kayaking only.
    • AllSport Day Pass: $54. Single day pass for whitewater kayaking plus AllSport activities.
    • AllSport Season Pass: $169. Water time for whitewater kayaking and AllSport activities for the year ending in December 31, 2012.
  2. Check the Activity Schedule for water times
  3. Print and sign the waiver form to bring with you (or you may fill one out when you arrive)
  4. Report to the Kayak Center.

What to do if you aren’t an experienced kayaker:

(If you do not have previous experience in Class III whitewater, we offer professional instruction.)

  1. Review our whitewater kayaking instructional packages.
  2. We recommend for a beginner to enroll in the 4 Lesson Package or the Introduction Package before paddling on the course.
  3. Print and sign the waiver form to bring with you (or you may fill one out when you arrive).
  4. Report to the Kayak Center.

What to do if you are a slalom paddler training at USNWC?

  1. Purchase an AllSport Season Pass for to secure public water time through December 31, 2011.
  2. On the Activity Schedule, under Water Times, check to see when exclusive slalom sessions are available.
  3. Exclusive slalom sessions cost $10 per session, per paddler, regardless of ownership of an AllSport Season Pass or staff member status.  A select handful of U.S. Team athletes are permitted into the slalom sessions at no cost.
  4. For more information, check out the Slalom Page or contact the Kayak Center at 704.391.3900.

Notes on whitewater kayaking at the USNWC:

  • Whitewater kayaking is an inherently risky activity and all paddlers are required to have previous experience in Class III whitewater.
  • If you do not have experience in Class III whitewater and would like to learn to kayak, we offer professional kayaking instruction.

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Qualifiers

Qualifier
Prior experience in Class III rapids
8 years old and above

Reminders
Must have whitewater specific boat and gear.

What to do

Check the pass activities schedule.
Print and sign the waiver form to bring with you (or you may fill one out when you arrive).
Buy from the following:
Report to the Kayaking Center.