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Paddling the French Broad Paddle Trail

The French Broad Paddle Trail is a series of campsites along the French Broad River connecting over 140 miles of river. It was created by MountainTrue, a non-profit in Western North Carolina that houses the French Broad Riverkeeper, who works…
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Paddling the Pigeon River

Primarily a popular whitewater rafting destination, the Pigeon River is a dam controlled river that winds its way through North Carolina and Eastern Tennessee before emptying into the French Broad River.What Makes It Great Situated along…
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A Guide to 15 of the South's Best Places to Paddle

Southern author Eugene F. Walter once wrote, "summer in the deep South is not only a season, a climate, it's a dimension. Floating in it, one must be either proud or submerged." Perhaps this explains why the waters here are so well-explored…

5 Women's on the Water Essentials

Asheville’s easy access to the French Broad River and other great waterways make it an ideal spot for watersports, as the increasing popularity of kayaking and paddleboarding can attest. As these activities gain in overall popularity, more…

Paddling Safety for All Levels of Boating

Safety on the water is one of the least exciting aspects of paddling, but it’s also the most important. Water is a powerful force, it doesn't matter if you are on flat water, gentle rivers, or raging rapids, every paddler should respect it’s…

High & Low Angle Paddles: The Long & Short of It

For a new paddler, there are dozens of (often complicated) gear decisions to make, one of the most mystifying is paddle selection. When it comes to recreational kayaking, one of the most important factors is paddle angle. Paddle angles classifications…

Picking Up Paddling (Without Blowing Your Budget)

As one of America’s best river towns, it’s not surprising that paddlesports are one of the largest growing forms of outdoor recreation in the Asheville area. With new breweries and other hangouts popping up along the riverfront, a relaxing…

Women's Specific Gear Shakedown: Astral PFD's

Not too long ago women who loved the outdoors had to make do with (often ill-fitting) unisex gear. Now, women’s specific gear is one of the fastest growing segments in the outdoor gear industry. Just about any piece of gear that you can imagine…