In the 90’s, Kent Ford (ACA Instructor Trainer Educator & Alzar School Advisory Committee member) started the Camp Cup Challenge as a way to bring together the many camps of western North Carolina. Sometime around 2001, the event fizzled, but the Alzar School was keen to bring it back to life in 2008, arranging a day of slalom and downriver races for almost 90 young paddlers. Then, in 2009, the Camp Cup became a two-day event, with guest coaches training campers in the gates and in Nantahala Falls of the Nantahala River on the first day. That year, 112 kids participated. The growth continued in 2010 and 2011, with more than 140 young paddlers converging at the Nantahala for two more great events.

The Alzar School is organizing the Camp Cup again for 2013. Would you like to involve your camp? Send them an email at info@alzarschool.com. 

2012 Write-Up:

The 5th anniversary of the Alzar School hosting the Camp Cup Challenge at the Nantahala River was a rousing success. Highlights for this year were: over 130 kids participating, with new camps! We welcomed Camps Merri-Mac and Timberlake to the 2012 event, and they had a great showing. The ice cream social at Endless River Adventures was an even bigger success, with live music from some of the camp counselors. Also, for the first time, we had a small freestyle session, with Jon Clarke from the NOC teaching students about moves and scoring systems. Jackson Kayak donated a brand new Rock Star for the free raffle at the end of the day, and the lucky winner was ecstatic to take home her very own boat. A big thanks goes out to the American Canoe Association, who provided the event with discounted insurance, to allow more campers to participate.

The ACA and the Alzar School are looking for volunteers to help with this event if you are interested please fill out an ACA Event Volunteer From online and come see paddlesports bright future in action!

2010 Camp Cup Video

Alzar School is also looking for generous sponsors for the event... these camps and companies make it possible for them to provide lunch for all the participants and volunteers, to provide a t-shirt for every paddler, and to have a great free raffle at the end of the day. In 2011, the sponsors for the event were: