Highlights of the Carolina Outdoors

Highlights of the Carolina Outdoors


NRS Green Race with Hammer Factor’s John Grace

October 27, 2023

Segment 3, October 28th, 2023


The first Saturday in November is an exciting day in the Kayaking World & it happens right her in the Carolinas.  The Green River Narrows Race is the largest extreme kayak race in the world.


The race takes place in the Green River Gorge within the Green River Game lands near Saluda, NC.  It is organized and produced by Hammer Factor.


In the segment of the show we speak with Race organizer, Hammer Factor’s John Grace, who speaks to host Bill Bartee while preparing for the 28th Year now called the NRS Green Race.


Things You’ll Learn by Listening:


Show Highlights:



  • The Course is made up of 0.6 miles of back-to-back-to back Class V Rapids with racers taking off every minute




  • Although celebrated as the Greatest Show in all of Sports it is still community minded & locally friendly.




  • The best kayakers in the world for every single minute you will see world champions, gold medalists, whose qualifications are verified before they are accepted as a racer.




  • The river drops 225 feet over the the length of the course including Gorilla, Pencil Sharpener, Go Left & other plunges and rapids.




  • Participants age from teenager to paddlers in their fifties including a mother & son.




  • The hike into the Green River Gorge is a treacherous, challenging scramble for two miles that make 1,000 feet of up & down, round-trip. The good news is it is free to watch.




  • It’s Extreme but the experience of the paddlers helps negate the danger




  • The theme this year is Hurts So Good



More Insights from the Outdoor Guys: 


The Carolina Outdoors is brought to you by Jesse Brown’s.  Check out this Charlotte outdoor store located in the Southpark-area.