Confluence Watersports, a significant Greenville, S.C., employer and leading paddlesports company, is serving as a major sponsor of the ICF Freestyle Kayaking World Championships at Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC) in Bryson City, N.C., on September 2-8, 2013. Considered the most elite freestyle kayaking event in the world, this year marks the first time since the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, Ga., that world championship kayaking will return to the United States.

More than 300 of the most skilled kayakers will head to the Nantahala River’s 2013 Wave to compete for the title of world champion in front of an expected audience of more than 10,000. Like freestyle snowboarders, freestyle kayakers perform tricks, spins, turns and flips to impress judges and spectators.

The kayaking competition will take place on a new custom-built river wave at Nantahala Outdoor Center, one of the Southeast’s most popular tourist destinations. Spectators and athletes alike will enjoy NOC’s revolutionary new paperless scoring system that will show the results immediately after each run. The real-time scoring system will help make freestyle kayaking more spectator-friendly and more suitable for a live television broadcast.

“We are incredibly proud to sponsor the 2013 World Championships, the highest level of freestyle competition in the world,” said Cheri McKenzie, chief marketing officer at Confluence Watersports. “It is a rare opportunity to have such a high caliber paddling event in our own backyard. NOC has put a tremendous amount of effort into increasing the level of professionalism and organization at this event, including developing the new real-time scoring system and perfecting the 2013 Wave. We are excited to play an integral role in making the World Championships event a huge success.”

More than just a competition, the seven-day event is truly a celebration of the outdoor recreation culture for everyone from world-class athletes to entry-level outdoor enthusiasts. Friendly competitions, demos, and events throughout the week will give kayaking enthusiasts of all skill levels a chance to participate in the action and win prizes. Live music and art exhibitors will provide entertainment, and guided raft trips, zip line tours, mountain bike rentals, and other activities will also be available through NOC.

2013 Freestyle World Championship Event Schedule:

Wednesday, 1pm: Wave Sport Wesser Falls Extreme Race

Thursday, 2:30pm: Bomber Gear SUP Race

Thursday, 5:30pm: Dagger Dash

Friday, 2:30pm: Bomber Gear Dress For Success Challenge

Friday, 7pm: Dagger 8-Ball Race

Saturday, 2pm: Wilderness Systems Challenge

Saturday, 3pm: Adventure Technology Canoe Ball

Saturday, Sunday 11am-2pm: Wilderness Systems Lake Demos

Sunday, 2:40pm, Dagger Presents: The RPM Stern Squirt Session

Sunday, all day: Competition Finals

For more information on the World Championship and the surrounding events, visit www.freestylekayaking2013.com/worlds-spectators.html. Confluence Watersports will be blogging live from Bryson City, N.C., throughout the week. Visit our live blog for details on how to win the Ultimate Swag Bag using #KayakWorldsandWIN.

In addition to Confluence Watersports, the 2013 ICF Freestyle Kayaking World Championships is sponsored by Duke Energy, another major Greenville, S.C. employer. Additional key sponsors include event host NOC, Adidas, Balsam West, Coca-Cola, Columbia, Duke Energy, Fontana Village Resort, Great Smoky Mountain Railroad, Sierra Nevada, Subaru, Teva, US Forest Service, and Watershed Cabin.

Logo and video courtesy Confluence Watersports