With rivers criss-crossing the region, there’s a rapid for everyone. Paddlers can
        stay close to the city for a trip down the French Broad River, admire the scenery of the
        Nolichucky River an hour north of Asheville, rush through the Nantahala Gorge on the
        Nantahala River's Class II-III rapids, or tackle Class III-IV rapids at the site of the
        Summer 1996 Canoe and Kayak Competition on the Ocoee River. Whatever your skill level,
        rafting and kayaking provide great exercise and exciting adventures for river
        thrill-seekers.</p>
        <p>But the rivers around Asheville offer more than just bumpy rides. Calm-water trips
        reveal the rivers' gentler sides and give the whole family a chance to enjoy the water.
        Float trips also let you view the scenery and wildlife as you drift down the river. </p>
        <p>Fast or slow, the rivers near Asheville are the perfect excursion to cool you off
        during your visit to the mountains. </p>
        <h4><u>WHITEWATER RAFTING AND KAYAKING</u></h4>
        <dl>
          <dt><b>Blue Ridge Rafting</b> </dt>
          <dd>PO Box 127, Hot Springs, NC 28743<br>
            <b>800-303-RAFT</b> </dd>
          <dd>&nbsp;</dd>
          <dt><b>Cherokee Adventure Whitewater Rafting</b> </dt>
          <dd>Route 1 Box 605, Erwin, TN 37651<br>
            <b>615-743-7733</b> </dd>
          <dt>&nbsp;</dt>
          <dt><a href="http://www.frenchbroadrafting.com"><b>French Broad Rafting Company</b> </a></dt>
          <dd>376 Walnut Drive, Marshall, NC 28753<br>
            <b>800-842-3189</b> </dd>
          <dt>&nbsp;</dt>
          <dt><a href="http://www.nocweb.com"><b>Nantahala Outdoor Center</b> </a></dt>
          <dd>13077 Highway 19 West, Bryson City, NC 28713<br>
            <b>800-232-RAFT</b> </dd>
          <dt>&nbsp;</dt>
          <dt><a href="http://rollingthunderriver.com"><b>Rolling Thunder River Company</b> </a></dt>
          <dd>PO Box 88, Almond, NC 28702<br>
            <b>828-488-2030</b> </dd>
          <dt>&nbsp;</dt>
          <dt><a href="http://www.usaraft.com"><b>USA Raft</b> </a></dt>
          <dd>Jones Branch Road, Box 2, Erwin, TN 37650<br>
            <b>800-872-7238</b> </dd>
          <dt>&nbsp;</dt>
          <dt><b>Wahoo&#146;s Adventures</b> </dt>
          <dd>PO Box 1915, Boone, NC 28601<br>
            <b>828-262-5774</b> </dd>
          <dt>&nbsp;</dt>
          <dt><a href="http://www.wildwaterrafting.com"><b>Wildwater Rafting</b></a> </dt>
          <dd>PO Box 190, Almond, NC 28702<br>
            <b>800/451-9972</b> </dd>
        </dl>
        <dl>
          <dd>&nbsp;</dd>
        </dl>
        <h4><u>CANOEING AND FLOATING</u></h4>
        <dl>
          <dt><a href="http://www.frenchbroadrafting.com"><b>French Broad Rafting Company</b> </a></dt>
          <dd>376 Walnut Drive, Marshall, NC 28753<br>
            <b>800-842-3189</b></dd>
        </dl>
        <dl>
          <dt><a href="http://www.headwatersoutfitters.com"><b>Headwaters Outfitters Inc.</b> </a></dt>
          <dd>PO Box 145, Rosman, NC 28772<br>
            <b>828/877-3106</b> </dd>
        </dl>
        <dl>
          <dt><a href="http://www.ncobs.org"><b>North Carolina Outward Bound School</b></a></dt>
          <dd>2582 Riceville Road, &nbsp;Asheville, NC 28805<br>
            <b>888-662-1662 or toll free: 877/826-9702</b></dd>
        </dl>
        <dl>
          <dt><b>Southern Waterways</b> </dt>
          <dd>521 Amboy Road, Asheville, NC 28806<br>
            <b>828/232-1970 or 1-800-849-1970