» 2013 ICF Canoe Freestyle World Championships

Event Info
Discussion

The ICF Canoe Freestyle World Championships are coming to Bryson City, North Carolina in September 2013. This premier international athletic event will be hosted in the Nantahala Gorge, and has been brought to Swain County through the efforts of the Nantahala Gorge Organizing Committee (NGOC), a community organization comprised of the Swain County Chamber of Commerce, the Golden Leaf Foundation, VisitNC, and a number of local businesses. NGOC’s objective for the event is to deliver a superior quality freestyle kayaking event and establish a legacy for the region as the premier, world-class outdoor recreation destination in the southeastern United States.

September 2-8, the 2013 ICF Canoe Freestyle World Championshisp are coming to the Nantahala River. This ultimate whitewater event will feature top freestyle athletes from around the world, as well as plenty of activities, competitions and events for spectators and fans. Live music, arts and crafts, and a festival atmosphere with Appalachian flair round out the weekend. Don’t miss this premier international event in Bryson City, the heart of the North Carolina Smokies!

The event is slated to attract up to 300 of the world’s top freestyle athletes to compete on the new 2013 Wave, which has been modified to create an optimal freestyle feature. A revolutionary digital scoring system, unveiled for the 2012 ICF Canoe Freestyle World Cup Series by Nantahala Outdoor Center, will allow for real-time results, athlete info, and play-back potential, resulting in unprecedented spectator engagement in the competition.

Spectators can also expect an Appalachian Heritage Festival, both at the event venue in the Nantahala Gorge, as well as in nearby Bryson City, highlighting traditional Cherokee and Appalachian folk arts, crafts, dances and music. The festival will also feature an assortment of family activities, including rafting and float trips, bicycle contests, rock climbing, storytelling and hands-on crafts.

PROVISIONAL EVENT SCHEDULE
The schedule below will grow and evolve leading up to the event as we think of more fun athlete and spectator activities.

Wednesday, August 14
Cascades & Upper Nantahala Recreational Release

Monday, August 26
Nations Training begins
Accreditation Pick-up begins
Youth Programming begins

Friday, August 30
Accreditation Check begins in Athlete Village

Saturday, August 31
Cheoah River Special Release
1700: Volunteer Meeting

Sunday, September 1
1200 – 1600: Boat Control
1800: Team Leaders’ Meeting

Monday, September 2
1700 – 1900: Opening Ceremonies in Bryson City
1900: VIP & Team Leaders’ Reception
2000: Big Air Show in Bryson City
1900 – 2200: Live Music

Tuesday, September 3
0800: Technical Control
0900: Judges Meeting
0930 – 1000: Emergency Control
1000 – 1400: Competition: Preliminary Rounds
1400 – 1500: Break
1500 – 1700: Competition: Preliminary Rounds
1900 – 2200: Live Music

Wednesday, September 4
0800: Technical Control
0900: Judges Meeting
0930 – 1000: Emergency Control
1000 – 1300: Competition: Preliminary Rounds
1300 – 1400: Wave Sport Wesser Falls Extreme Race – Cash Event; Invitational and Athletes
1400 – 1700: Competition: Preliminary Rounds
1900 – 2200: Live Music

Thursday, September 5
0800: Technical Control
0900: Judges Meeting
0930 – 1000: Emergency Control
1000 – 1200: Competition: Quarter Finals
1200 – 1300: Bomber Gear SUP Head-to-Head Race in partnership with Badfish Boards
1300 – 1500: Competition: Quarter Finals
1700 – 2100: Appalachian Heritage Days in Bryson City
1900 – 2000: Dagger Dash – Competitors’ Race in Bryson City – Cash Event; Invitational and Athletes
1900 – 2200: Live Music in Bryson city

Friday, September 6
0900: Technical Control
1000: Judges Meeting
1030 – 1100: Emergency Control
1100 – 1500: Competition: Semifinals
1500 – 1600: US Wildwater Nationals Sprint Race
1600 – 2300: Live Music
1900 – 2000: Dagger presents 8-Ball Competition thru 2013 Wave
2000 – 2200: Competition: Semifinals

Saturday, September 7
0900: Technical Control
1000: Judges Meeting
1000 – 1200: US Wildwater Nationals Classic Race
1030 – 1100: Emergency Control
1200 – 1500: Competition: Semifinals
1100 – 1400: Wilderness Systems Lake Demos
1400 – 1500: Wilderness Systems Challenge
1500 – 1600: Bomber Gear Dress for Success Challenge
1630: Rubber Duckie Race
1600 – 1700: VIP Raft Race
1700 – 1730: Cherokee Tribal Dance
1600 – 2300: Live Music
1900 – 2000: AT Mini-polo
2000 – 2200: Competition: Semifinals

Sunday, September 8
0800: Technical Control
0900: Judges Meeting
0930 – 1000: Emergency Control
1100 – 1300: Competition: Finals
1100 – 1500: Wilderness Systems Lake Demos
1300 – 1400: RPM presents The Stern Squirt Session
1400 – 1600: Competition: Finals
1500: Awards Ceremony
1530: Closing Ceremonies
1600 – 2300: Live Music
2100 – ????: Athlete & Teams Party

TEAM AND ATHLETE INFORMATION
Download the Teams Bulletin (pdf) for detailed information regarding:

• Team travel
• Meal plans
• Training sites
• Area information
• Lodging
• Event details

ACCREDITATION
All athletes and team staff must be registered by their National Federation via the ICF ISIS system. More information Register

TEAM TRANSPORT
The recommended airport for international athlete travel is Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL):

• Relative proximity to event venue
• Accepts kayaks
• Affordable rates from many international destinations
• For directions from the Atlanta Airport to the event venue (Nantahala Outdoor Center – NOC) click HERE.
• Athlete shuttles available. See Teams Bulletin for shuttle schedule. Please email the Organizer to reserve your spot.
• Free team transport will also be provided from the event venue to certain events in Bryson City.

TEAM LODGING
Some onsite lodging is still available (see bulletin). Offsite lodging is available through our regional lodging partners.

VISAS
For those athletes, teams, and support staff who need to obtain visas to travel to the USA, please contact Gerald Babao with USA Canoe/Kayak for assistance with this process.

TRAINING INFORMATION
• Free training is available at the feature every day
• Nantahala River Scheduled Release calendar is available HERE. (Reflects minimum daily flows. Athletes should be aware that it takes the water approximately 2.5 hours to get to the feature after the start of the release. It will begin to visibly subside approximately 2 hours following the end of the release.)
• Accurate three-day actual release forecast available HERE
• Official Nations Training begins on August 26th. Please see Teams Bulletin for details on how to register your team for Nations Training.

YOUTH PROGRAMMING
Participate in the 2013 Freestyle Adopt an Athlete Program! Get local youth interested in your sport, share your travel and training experience, and explain your passion for Freestyle, and create bonds across cultures. Please email the Organizer to get involved!

OTHER INFORMATION
Athletes are advised that ICF may institute In-Competition Drug Testing at this event.

via: http://www.freestylekayaking2013.com/

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Date & Time

September 2, 2013 - September 8, 2013
Opening ceremonies take place at 5:00 PM on Monday, September 2. Events run throughout the week with finals taking place on Sunday, September 8.