Outfitter's Store Staff Workout: Nantahala Attainments

For fun and fitness, many NOC staff members paddle attainments on the Nantahala River on lunch break, or after hours. Doing "attainments" means paddling upstream from eddy to eddy, and like riding a bike uphill, paddling upstream is harder than floating downstream. Attainment workouts are good for both strength and overall fitness, and are especially popular among NOC staff in the winter since you can stay pretty dry, and your constant exertion keeps you warm.

In this video, NOC's retail director (and Olympic paddling coach) Chris Hipgrave demonstrates the attainment workout, beginning from the Founder's Bridge (near River's End Restaurant) all the way upstream to Nantahala Falls. Disclaimer: unless you're really interested in paddling, you may not find this very stimulating! You'll see that the workout involves navigating paths of the least resistance, and even a few up-river boofs.



This is why the staff of NOC's Outfitter's Store are known for their expertise and their passion for play. They've worn every shoe on the shelf, packed and assembled every tent we sell and paddled every boat in stock, even some of them upstream!