For more episodes of the Sawyer On-Water Podcast ➡️ Sawyer On-Water Podcast

🔗 Episode Links:

• Sawyer Paddles and Oars
• Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC)
• Brad's Podcast → B-Flow Sessions: The Whitewater Kayaking Podcast | Apple Podcasts | Spotify

⭐️ Special Thanks

• Wild Oregon Girl: https://www.wildoregongirl.com/
• Annovation: https://annovation.io/

📝 Summary

In this episode of the Sawyer On-Water podcast, Brad Burden and Zac explore the rich history and vibrant community surrounding the Nantahala River in North Carolina. They discuss Brad's journey from a young river guide to an instructor, the economic impact of outdoor recreation in the area, and the multi-sport opportunities available. The conversation also highlights the legacy of Olympic athletes who have trained on the river, the importance of mentorship in the paddlesports community, and the life lessons learned from navigating the river. Additionally, they touch on the resilience of the river community in the face of challenges and the ongoing efforts to conserve and protect these natural resources for future generations.

🎬 Chapters

00:00 Heartbeat of The Nantahala River

01:16 Brad's Journey

03:11 From Raft Guiding to Kayaking Instructor

04:51 River Guiding is a Global Skill

06:23 Kayaking Instructor Process

08:24 Economic Impact of the Nantahala River

10:58 Multi-Sport Opportunities

12:00 Nantahala's Olympic Connection and Youth Development

14:46 History of the Nantahala River

16:23 Growing Up with the River

20:31 Life Lessons from the River

21:08 Influential Figures on the Nantahala

24:03 Nantahala Stories

27:57 Life Lessons from the River - Part 2

30:30 Conservation and Community Resilience

34:13 The Power of the River Community

37:13 See You On the Water!

38:05 The Nantahala Falls

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➡️ For paddles and oars, visit our website: https://paddlesandoars.com

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🎥 Watch more episodes of the Sawyer On-Water Podcast here: Sawyer On-Water Podcast Playlist

See you on the water! 🌊