The Nantahala Outdoor Center’s Canoe Club Challenge 2011 is scheduled for 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on June 18, July 16 and Aug. 13. The timed slalom course will be set up between the bridges at NOC. An awards ceremony will follow at 7 p.m. on the porch of Slow Joe’s Café.

The race is open to everyone, even beginners and first-timers. Paddlers can make as many runs through the course as they would like and only their best time will count. Each completed run will earn points toward a trophy awarded to the canoe club with the most points at the end of the event series. However, participants need not belong to a paddling club to participate; boaters can team up with clubs or start their own.

Paddlers are welcome to practice on the course all day leading up to the event, and at 2:30 p.m., 1996 Canoe/Kayak Olympian Wayne Dickert will be on hand for a demo run of the course as well as advice, tips and encouragement for the paddlers. Free live music will begin at 8:30 p.m. at The Pourover.

828.423.0158.