The Nantahala River with Brad Burden | Ep 20

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 ThanksWild Oregon Girl: https://www.wildoregongirl.com/Annovation: https://annovation.io/📝 SummaryIn 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.🎬 Chapters00:00 Heartbeat of The Nantahala River01:16 Brad's Journey03:11 From Raft Guiding to Kayaking Instructor04:51 River Guiding is a Global Skill06:23 Kayaking Instructor Process08:24 Economic Impact of the Nantahala River10:58 Multi-Sport Opportunities12:00 Nantahala's Olympic Connection and Youth Development14:46 History of the Nantahala River16:23 Growing Up with the River20:31 Life Lessons from the River21:08 Influential Figures on the Nantahala24:03 Nantahala Stories27:57 Life Lessons from the River - Part 230:30 Conservation and Community Resilience34:13 The Power of the River Community37:13 See You On the Water!38:05 The Nantahala FallsSawyer Paddles & Oars. High-quality handcrafted paddles and oars since 1967 🛶➡️ For paddles and oars, visit our website: https://paddlesandoars.com➡️ For all your river gear needs, visit our retail store: https://sawyerstation.com🎥 Watch more episodes of the Sawyer On-Water Podcast here: Sawyer On-Water Podcast PlaylistSee you on the water! 🌊