It’s paddler’s choice this weekend in North Carolina. Don’t like to get wet? Then make a run for the hills.
Coast
Pine Knoll Shores is the place to be along the coast this weekend is you like to paddle or pedal. The weekend’s Kayak for the Warriors highlight is a 3.2-mile kayak and paddle board race that begins in Bogue Sound, follows canals inland through town, then pops back out onto the sound at the finish. A little too intense for the kids? There’s a Family Fun Race that’s just “a few hundred yards” as well. For mellow cyclists — the beach cruiser crowd — there are family-friendly rides of 5K (3.1 miles) and 10K (6.2 miles). The event kicks off Friday evening with a reception at Town Hall, all races are Saturday. Proceeds benefit Hope For The Warriors, a non-profit whose goal “is to enhance quality of life for U.S. Service Members and their families nationwide who have been adversely affected by injuries or death in the line of duty.”
Logistics: 3.2-mile kayak/paddle board race, 10 a.m., $45; Family Fun Race, 10:30 a.m., $20; 5K and 10K bike rides, 8:30 a.m.. All events are Saturday. More info here.
Saturday forecast: Clear, high of 82.
Piedmont
In case you missed Thursday’s report, the 18-day Tour de Yadkin is advancing down a 185-mile stretch of its namesake river. Saturday’s paddle is especially attractive, starting with breakfast and a one-mile hike on some of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail’s freshest tread, in Elkin, followed by a 5.7-mile paddle to the Carolina Heritage Winery for a tour, wine tasting and bluegrass concert.
Logistics: BYOB or make arrangements for a boat through SuperFly Outdoor Sports. Shuttle available for $10. For more on the Tour de Yadkin, check out the event’s Web site.
Saturday forecast: Clear to partly cloudy late, high of 86.
Mountains
Sunday’s your chance to get in on the first-ever N.C. Outward Bound Riverbound Trail Race in Asheville. Runs of 5K and 8K are planned on trail in and around the North Carolina Arboretum.
Logistics: Both races start at 8 a.m., $35 race day for the 5K, $40 for the 8K. More info here.
Sunday forecast: Overcast, high of 75.
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Those are GGNC’s thoughts for an active weekend. Find out other ways you can get out this weekend by browsing our super calendar, a collection of events calendars from throughout the state, below.
Coast
CapeFearCoast.com
Comprehensive calendar for the Cape Fear/Wilmington/southern N.C. coast searchable by date and event name.
Coastal Guide
Comprehensive calendar including nature programs from a variety of costal conservation and research agencies that offer nature programs. Covers the entire coast.
Crystal Cost Tourism Authority
Comprehensive calendar focusing on the Crystal Coast. Good source for programs offered by N.C. Coastal Federation, Cape Lookout National Park, N.C. National Estuarine Research Reserve and other costal conservation and research agencies that offer nature programs.
NCCoast.com
Comprehensive calendar including programs for the Outer Banks and Crystal Coast.
North Carolina Coast Host
Comprehensive calendar for the entire coast that lets you search for events by day, by region, by county, by city or by event (based on key word).
This Week Magazine
Primary focus is the Crystal Coast (North Carolina’s coastal midsection).
Mountains
Asheville Citizen-Times
From the main page, click on “Outdoors,” then WNC Outdoors calendar.
Blue Ridge Outdoors
Searchable calendar lets you extend your reach to events throughout the mid-Atlantic and Southeast (or you can just limit it to North Carolina). Also lets you search a boatload of categories, ranging from Hiking, Mountain Biking and Climbing to Trail Running, Triathlon and Road Walking.
The Mountain Times
From the main page, click on “Calendars,” then Main Events.
Piedmont
Charlotte
Charlotte Observer events calendar
Comprehensive calendar searchable by category, including Nature, Recreation, Recreation & Wellness, Running
Charlotte Parent
Comprehensive calendar concentrating on things the family can do together.
Triad
GoTriad.com
Comprehensive calendar includes a Sports & Recreation category.
Piedmont Parent
Comprehensive calendar concentrating on things the family can do together.
Triangle
Triangle.com
Comprehensive calendar searchable by category, including: Birding, Boating, Cycling, Nature, Rec & Wellness, Recreation, Running, Swimming, Tennis, Yoga.
Carolina Parent
Comprehensive calendar concentrating on things the family can do together.
Statewide
Office of Environmental Education
One calendar for the numerous Environmental Education Centers statewide.
North Carolina State Parks
Lets you search for programs at the state’s parks, recreation areas and natural areas by location, by month, by topic. To reach the calendar from the home page, click on “Education,” then “Fun & Free Programs at Parks.”
National Forests in North Carolina
From the home page, click on Carolina Connections for news updates on the state’s four national forests as well as hints on recreational opportunities and a detailed rundown of recreation areas and the amenities at each.
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