Every October, Headwaters Outfitters offers its ever popular fall series of guided paddle trips on the French Broad River. Our “Colors of the Fall” guided paddle trips balance nature observation with the quiet relaxation of a canoe or kayak outing. You will paddle 8 miles, approximately 3 hours down Section 1, a very peaceful yet lively section of the historic French Broad River. Participants begin arriving at Headwaters Outfitters around 9:15 am to complete check-in, meet the river guide and organize gear for their canoe trip. At 10:00 am we begin our trip with a short 2 mile shuttle to the launch point. Your guide will review and demonstrate paddling tips and techniques before launching. Along the way you can listen to historical stories of the French Broad and our community, discover wildlife, flora, fauna, and waterfowl that make their homes along this beautiful river. ADVANCE RESERVATION & DEPOSIT REQUIRED Our Color of Fall Guided Canoe Trips fills up rapidly and months in advance. Each river trip is limited to 10 people max per Guide. Prior paddling experience is helpful, but not necessary. The Details Arrive by 9:15 am, dressed in river attire, organized & ready to paddle. Trip rates include your canoe, paddle, lifejacket, river shuttle, and guide service. Trip rates do not include personal items, drinks, snacks, lunch or gratuities. Reservations are secured with 50% non-refundable deposit. Reservations can only be made by phone. 828-877-3106 Review our River Trip Tips for a list of suggested items & gear to bring Summer has come to an end along a peaceful southern Appalachian... Read More
The French Broad River Clean up remains the best volunteer gig in town: a free canoe ride down the river, along with a complimentary breakfast, lunch, and all the garbage bags you can fill. Since the inception of “The Upper French Broad River Clean Up Day” in 1992, volunteers have gathered year after year collecting tons of trash, old tires, microwaves, and more! Many of the volunteers returning year after year! Volunteers show up at Headwaters at 9:00 am and will be treated to a light hearted breakfast before being shuttled to a launching area in Rosman. Everyone will be assigned canoes (no kayaks please), paddles, life jackets, and garbage bags. We have limited work gloves and trash grabbers, we recommend bringing your own Participants should bring sturdy gloves, river shoes and tools such as long-handled barbecue tongs to grab trash with. We also have Roadside volunteer positons available, for access points and a few dump off locations. Its always a good idea to bring a change of clothing for afterwards! After the clean-up wraps up, volunteers are served a sponsored lunch at Headwaters. Lunch is a casual affair, with volunteers swapping tales of creatures hitchhiking in garbage bags and unusual finds excavated from the riverbed. Though support for the clean-up has remained steady, new donations of cash or food are always welcome. Feeding 70 hungry trash collectors can get expensive. We could not do this event without the gracious help of local businesses and sponsors. I think they... Read More
Join Headwaters Outfitters and the Whitewater Community for the First Annual North Fork Fest! A celebration of history and heritage of the North Fork of the French Broad River. Saturday, March 28th we will gather at Headwaters Outfitters with whitewater community enthusiast and locally active vendors (TBA/More Info Coming Soon). We will be conducting an organized Riverside Clean Up along the North Fork of the French Broad! (More Info Coming Soon) On site we will have Vendor Booths, Gear Swap, Clinics, Boat Demos, Film Showing of Southern Fried Creekin, History Presentation/Discussion Panel/Q&A, Raffles, Taproom, Food Truck, Live Music by West Fork Fiasco, Camping, and more! (Reach out if you have gear or would like to support this event) We will also have our Private Hannah Ford Campground open to those who would like to camp-out that evening, $10 per person. (Please reserve with Headwaters Outfitters) *If NFFB Water Level is runnable, Headwaters will offer shuttles from 10am-3pm* For more information, questions, or interest please email... Read More
The purpose of this class is to learn to use the computer-based program, CalTopo to explore, plan, and create custom routes and maps. Then, access those maps, navigate, record your hike, and add data on-trail using the CalTopo phone app…..even on Airplane mode. Never wonder if you’ve made the right turn again! Bring your laptop. 4703 Island Ford Rd, Brevard, NC Note: The Navigating with Map and Compass workshop is highly recommended as a... Read More
Headwaters Outfitters is excited to host a collaborative workshop with Bear Traditional Kayaks, offering a Make Your Own Canoe Paddle Workshop this winter! This is a 3 Day (Canoe Paddle Only) workshop from 12/13/19 – 12/15/19 (9:00am-5:00pm each day), $235 per person. Space is limited! No woodworking skills needed prior to workshop. All materials and tools needed are included in the cost. For registration or questions email... Read More
Join Headwaters Outfitters Paddling Guides David Whitmire and Danielle Matthews Ennis, along with Wenonahs Canoe Boat Rep Brandon, for a Wenonah Demo Day on the lake; at The Greystone Inn located in Lake Toxaway, NC! This FREE event will take place Sunday April 7th, from 1pm-4pm. Brunch and Lunch Menu available for dining at The Greystone Inn before or after the demo, YUM YUM! *Food not incuded in Free Event* Afterwards join Headwaters and Wenonahs staff for a social hour (down the mountain) at our Forks of the River Taproom from 5pm-6pm (swag, good times, and more!). *Drinks not included in Free Event* Headwaters Outfitters and Wenonah Canoe staff will offer a formal introduction to canoeing, expert advise on design and selection, and demo boats to paddle. If you are looking to purchase a canoe, or are curious about the design, material, and quality of Wenonah Canoes; this is a great chance to get up close and personal with these quality boats. Unlike big box stores, we have a demo site for you to get in the boats and feel how they paddle! Boats to Demo: (Subject to Change on Availability) -Prospector 15 -Prospector 16 -Aurora -Spirit II -Wilderness -Fisherman -KingFisher -Prism -Wee Lassie Call 828-877-3106 or email danielle@headwatersoutfitters.com for attendance and more info! *Similar demo models will be available to purchase at Headwaters Outfitters. *Canoe Buyers receive 15% off paddling accessories. *Headwaters can special order any Wenonah Canoes. *Sale prices on select models. *Attendees recieve 10% of all... Read More
Join Headwaters Outfitters for a presentation that goes over the ins-and-outs of the French Broad Paddle Trail. Have you ever wanted to do a overnight paddle trip? Do you want to get a taste of a river expedition? Learn the secrets behind using the FB Paddle Trail. Whether you’re looking to do one night or 14, we’ll tell you how. Get all your questions answered – from what gear to bring, to how to reserve campsites, and where to stock up on... Read More
CRUISE THEN BOOZE $30.00 Per Person EVERY FRIDAY EVENING JUNE THROUGH AUGUST. START YOUR SUMMER EVENING OFF RIGHT WITH A 2 HOUR PADDLE TRIP DOWN THE FRENCH BROAD AND END AT OSKAR BLUES BREWERY FOR A COLD CRAFT BEER (Drinks Not Included In Cost). HEADWATERS OUTFITTERS WILL MEET YOU AT OSKAR BLUES BREWERY AT 5:30 PM WITH BOATS, LIFE-JACKETS, AND PADDLES. A QUICK 2 MINUTE SHUTTLE TO PISGAH FOREST ACCESS WILL PUT YOU AT THE LAUNCH SITE OF YOUR PADDLE TRIP. END YOUR PADDLE AT THE PENROSE BOATING ACCESS. THE SHUTTLE (APPROXIMATE 10 MIN.) WILL TAKE YOU BACK TO OSKAR BLUES AND THE TAPROOM IS OPEN TILL 10:00 PM. ENJOY GREAT BEER AND LIVE MUSIC……..PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY! COST- $30.00 PER PERSON **GUEST DO NOT HAVE TO BE 21 TO PADDLE** **DRINKS ARE NOT INCLUDED IN... Read More
Every October on Saturday and Sunday morning’s, Headwaters Outfitters offers its ever popular fall series of guided canoe trips on the French Broad River. Our “Colors of the Fall” guided canoe trips balance nature observation with the quiet relaxation of a canoe or kayak outing. You will paddle 8 miles, approximately 3 hours down Section 1, a very peaceful yet lively section of the historic French Broad River. Participants begin arriving at Headwaters Outfitters around 9:15 am to complete check-in, meet the river guide, and organize gear for their canoe trip. By 10:00 am guest begin the trip with a short 2 mile shuttle to the launch point. Your guide will review and demonstrate paddling tips and techniques before launching. Along the way you can listen to historical stories of the French Broad and our community, discover wildlife, flora, fauna, and waterfowl that make their homes along this beautiful river. ADVANCE RESERVATION & 50% DEPOSIT REQUIRED Our Colors of Fall Guided Canoe Trips fill up rapidly and months in advance. Each river trip is limited to 10 maximum guest. Prior canoeing experience is helpful, but not... Read More
Headwaters Outfitters will be hosting a series of Paddling 101 classes in 2019. The focus is to promote paddling skills an safety practices for beginner paddlers. This event is FREE to the public with reservations. Spaces are limited. Head Paddling Guide Danielle Mathews Ennis will go over entry level strokes for canoeing, kayaking and Stand Up Paddling Boarding along with safety tips, how to utilize your PFD’s, and more. This is a great chance to work in a small group and meet other paddlers in the... Read More
Headwaters Outfitters will be hosting a series of Paddling 101 classes in 2019. The focus is to promote paddling skills an safety practices for beginner paddlers. This event is FREE to the public with reservations. Spaces are limited. Head Paddling Guide Danielle Mathews Ennis will go over entry level strokes for canoeing, kayaking and Stand Up Paddling Boarding along with safety tips, how to utilize your PFD’s, and more. This is a great chance to work in a small group and meet other paddlers in the... Read More
Headwaters Outfitters will be hosting a series of Paddling 101 classes in 2019. The focus is to promote paddling skills an safety practices for beginner paddlers. This event is FREE to the public with reservations. Spaces are limited. Head Paddling Guide Danielle Mathews Ennis will go over entry level strokes for canoeing, kayaking and Stand Up Paddling Boarding along with safety tips, how to utilize your PFD’s, and more. This is a great chance to work in a small group and meet other paddlers in the... Read More
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