But that’s not necessarily true!

You can overcome fears with simple activities like whitewater rafting, ziplining, canyoneering, or climbing.

Let’s take a look at a few ways adventure can grow your confidence:

Helps You Connect With People 

People who lack confidence usually struggle to connect with others: 

And this is where adventure comes into play.

It’s incredible how quickly you get to know someone after taking an adventure with them. You almost instantly become in tune with them, and it’s a beautiful feeling.

Before you start the adventure, you might not even know the person’s name, but by the end of the experience, it feels like you’ve known them your whole life. 

The important thing here is that you learn what makes people tick, how they manage stress and adapt. Being able to notice these things in people will help increase your confidence when you meet new people.

Teaches You Fear Management

If you often feel yourself becoming overran with fear, don’t worry; it is something that everyone struggles with from time to time. 

Luckily, adventure sports can help you learn to manage your fear. But, you’re probably wondering how taken part in scary activities helps you learn to manage your anxiety. 

People that take part in adventurous activities learn to turn their fear into positive experiences. The first time someone leads a climb or even seconds a climb, they are full of nerves, and worry settles in their stomach. 

But the sense of getting to the top of the cliff and seeing what the reward feels like at the end helps you reduce the fear.

You Learn More About Yourself

Learning more about yourself is an essential factor in gaining more confidence. Adventure sports help you learn you manage crises and fear. It enables you to understand how to address your concerns and challenges in the future.

After taking part in adventure sports, many people say that they have a better understanding of their passions and where they want to be in life.

Boost Your Self-Confidence

Due to adventure sports being about overcoming challenges and getting out of your comfort zone, it can massively increase your self-confidence. 

Studies have shown a considerable link between people involved in adventure sports and a high level of self-confidence.

And when you think about it, it kind of makes sense. You have to physically and mentally overcome daunting tasks, and it can really make you feel good about yourself.

The best thing is:

Boasting your self-confidence can have a profound effect on your day-to-day life and relationships. 

Final Thoughts

If you’ve been looking for ways to overcome your fear and grow your confidence, there’s no better way than taking an adventure.

As mentioned earlier, you don’t have to go jumping out of planes… unless you want to; walking up a mountain or through the forest can provide all the adventure you need to find yourself.

When you’re ready to go on that next adventure, give us a holler and we will get you on the adventure of your life!

The post Overcoming Fears: How Adventure Can Grow Confidence appeared first on French Broad Adventures.

Congratulations to FBA staff; Dan Stillman, Jim Hampton, Marti King, Michael Hampton, Richard McDonald, and Mitch Hampton, for successfully completing the course and becoming ACA Instructors in these skills.

For more information on French Broad Adventures accreditation’s, training’s and history, contact us today.

The post French Broad Adventures Completes New ACA Certification appeared first on French Broad Adventures.

The Association for Challenge Course Technology (ACCT) is an international trade association dedicated to standards, government relations, credentialing, and professional development for members of the aerial adventure industry, such as ziplines, canopy tours, aerial adventure parks, and challenge courses, as well as the companies that design, build, inspect, train, and review those aerial adventure courses. The ACCT accredits and certifies companies and individuals that demonstrate their competence and commitment to the ACCT standards. Up until 2020 though, accreditation was just available for those that built, inspected, and trained in our industry. But in July the ACCT launched the Operation Accreditation program, opening the door for operations like French Broad Adventures to demonstrate, prove, and be recognized for their adherence to the standards.

The process included a structural inspection of the zipline canopy tour course, a review of our training program, and a thorough review of our operations practices including: company philosophy and ethics, administrative policies (such as risk management, course operation plans, insurance coverage, qualifications of persons making operational decisions, and inspection and maintenance strategies), human resources management, and staff competencies. In a nutshell, it was a VERY in-depth process designed to evaluate all of the aspects of our zipline canopy tour business, and make sure that we were meeting internationally recognized standards for all of them.

This is a very big deal, and a very big honor for us at French Broad Adventures. We are, as always, committed to combining experienced guides, excellent customer service, and exceptional outdoor adventures to create incomparable memories for our valued guests. Now we can say that we stand out as literally the first company to be recognized on an international level for operational excellence. We would like to thank all of our amazing staff, guides, and managers, because they are the reason that we are so good at what we do.

Learn more about our zipline canopy adventures in Western North Carolina today, and come see us in Marshall.

The post FBA Leads the Way with ACCT Accreditation appeared first on French Broad Adventures.

Just when you thought LaZoom and French Broad Adventures couldn’t get any more fun, we did! How? By joining our good time powers in a partnership.

The LaZoom Room is now helping us book our tours, and we are basing our Saturday canyoneering trips out of their bar (and gorilla)!

For the rest of the season, we are joining in on the Saturday special events at the LaZoom Room. We’ll meet there in the morning, and after the canyoneering trip, our guests get to kick back at a tiki party! We’ll have fancy champagne and rose slushies for the adults (ooh la la!), and snow cones for the kiddos. We have the LaZoom Room to ourselves (it’s exclusive!) if you want to hang inside with your group while enjoying a cold drink. LaZoom has also set up an outdoor courtyard for the public, so feel free to enjoy the sunshine too.

Not to brag, but it’s kind of the best thing ever. You should book now before all of our VIP Saturday trips fill up! (For real, give us a call. When the word gets out, these Saturday events at LaZoom are going to disappear faster than a champagne and rose slushie on a hot day.)

The post LaZoom and French Broad Adventures – Partners in Fun! appeared first on French Broad Adventures.

French Broad Adventures has been recognized as a 2020 Travelers’ Choice award-winner! Based on a full year of Tripadvisor reviews, prior to any changes caused by the pandemic, award winners are known for consistently receiving great traveler/diner feedback, placing them in the top 10% of hospitality businesses around the globe.

“Winners of the 2020 Travelers’ Choice Awards should be proud of this distinguished recognition,” said Kanika Soni, Chief Commercial Officer at Tripadvisor. “Although it’s been a challenging year for travel and hospitality, we want to celebrate our partners’ achievements. Award winners are beloved for their exceptional service and quality. Not only are these winners well-deserving, they are also a great source of inspiration for travelers as the world begins to venture out again.”

We are so thrilled to have won this award and hope we can continue to provide excellent adventures for all who want to raft, zipline, climb, and canyoneer! Thank you to everyone who rated us so high. Your good opinion means the world to us.

The post French Broad Adventures Wins 2020 Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Award! appeared first on French Broad Adventures.

We’ll give you 9 reasons.

1.  Proximity to Asheville

We are the closest whitewater rafting to Asheville! Our outpost is only a 25-minute drive from Asheville, NC.

2.  Support small local businesses!

We are a local, family-owned business.

3.  Safety

We put safety first so that you can have FUN. Learn more about our safety practices here.

4.  We welcome beginners to experts

Choose your level of adventure. We have Calm water float trips and rentals as well as 5 and 9-mile whitewater trips.

5.  Experience

We always put a guide in every whitewater raft & our guides are some of the most experienced on the river.

6.  Learn something new!

Our guides talk about the history of the river, river safety, as well as basic paddling techniques. You can also learn the names of all the rapids!

7.  We have FUN!

Our guides are funny, entertaining, and great with people. They love what they do and want to be sure that you have the best experience possible. When you raft with us you get so much more out of your trip than just simply making it down the river. We even made our own beer!

8.  Warm water

French Broad River rafting is much warmer and less crowded than other area rivers.

9.  Covered pavilion

FBA is the only whitewater outfitter on the French Broad River with a covered pavilion for lunch or snack.

The post 9 Reasons To Whitewater Raft in the Blue Ridge Mountains with French Broad Adventures appeared first on French Broad Adventures.

Recently, two amazing women celebrated their birthdays with us by going on a canyoneering trip. There was a lot of laughter as we slid down natural waterslides, hopped from boulder to boulder, explored canyons, and rappelled down waterfalls. Oh, and did we mention the tiara affixed to the top of one of the birthday girl’s helmets?! We had a blast!

Enjoy the videos and the photos!

The post Celebrating Birthdays by Canyoneering appeared first on French Broad Adventures.

Before you book your trip, please read and be sure you fulfill our Participant Requirements.

On the day of your ziplining trip:

• Arrive at the designated outpost 30 minutes prior to your trip time.
• Check in at the store to complete your waivers and get geared up for your trip.
• Lock everything in your car and your lead guide will collect your car keys so that we can keep them safe in the store during your trip.

What should I wear?

• Close-toed shoes ARE REQUIRED.
• Wear clothing that is appropriate for the weather, we suggest bringing multiple layers on colder days.
• As a general rule thinner and less bulky clothing is preferable as loose or thick clothing can interfere with safety equipment.
• Normal street clothes are fine, however modest clothing is encouraged for comfort.

Every participant will be wearing a full-body harness that wraps around the legs and goes over the shoulders. Although a tee shirt or tank top is fine, a shirt with a collar may be more comfortable as it offers some protection from the possibility of the shoulder straps rubbing on your neck. Longer shorts or light pants are recommended as well to help with the comfort of the leg straps. We strongly suggest guests refrain from wearing short shorts.

What should I bring?

Please bring any medication that you may need immediate access to while on the trip such as an asthma inhaler, EpiPen or diabetic glucose.

Otherwise, we ask that you do not bring anything with you, as items dropped from the course cannot be retrieved. We will provide a secure place for you to store your keys while on the trip. Additionally, we will offer a water break during your trip.

If you wear glasses we suggest a strap for them (these can be bought in the store if you don’t have one).

If you would like to bring a small camera please make sure you have a strap for it so that you have use of both hands at all times.

I’m a little nervous about my ziplining trip. Should I be concerned about my safety?

If you’ve never been ziplining, it is completely reasonable to be a little nervous. But, let us put your worries at ease. We believe that the only thing more important than providing your family with an exciting and memorable adventure is mitigating and managing any potential risk. Your family’s safety is our number one priority!

You can read about our Zipline Safety Practices here.

If you have any other questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: (800) 570-7238

The post How do I prepare for my Asheville Zipline Adventure? appeared first on French Broad Adventures.

Asheville Vacation Food and Beer

A serious Asheville vacation plan must begin with food and beer. We are passionate about both here in our mountain town, and it shows! There are so many good places to eat and drink that it can get overwhelming. If you choose a few restaurants and breweries from the following list, you cannot go wrong. Special note: some of the restaurants take reservations, others do not. If at all possible, make a reservation to cut down on your wait time.

Restaurants

12 Bones Smokehouse

Avenue M

Biscuit Head

Chai Pani

Curate

French Broad Chocolate Lounge

The Hop Ice Cream Shop

Laughing Seed Cafe (vegetarian)

The Lobster Trap

Modesto

Posana (gluten-free options)

Red Ginger Dimsum and Tapas

Rhubarb

Sunny Point Café

Tupelo Honey Café

Zambra

Breweries

The Amazing Pubcycle

Archetype Brewing

Asheville Pizza and Brewing

Bhramari Brewing Company

French Broad River Brewery (We created our own beer with them! Read about it here.)

Ginger’s Revenge

Green Man Brewery

Highland Brewing Company

Pisgah Brewing

Wedge Brewing Company

Wicked Weed

The Thirsty Monk

Asheville Vacation Essentials

When you pack, you always include your toothbrush, right? Because it is essential for your trip. And no Asheville vacation list would be complete without the four following attractions – they are essential! You don’t have to visit each one on your trip, but you must visit them all at some point:

The Biltmore Estate

The Blue Ridge Parkway

Grove Park Inn

LaZoom Tours

Asheville Vacation – Go Outside!

We love to be outside – obviously! We are a whitewater rafting, ziplining, canyoneering, and climbing adventure provider. But we also love to experience the great outdoors in other ways – such as hiking, camping, and birdwatching. So after you book your adventure with us, consider these other awesome options.

Go on a French Broad Adventure!

Calm water rafting

Canyoneering

Climbing

Whitewater rafting

Ziplining

Other outdoor options

Birdwatching

Botanical Gardens

Camping

Fly Fishing

Hiking

Horseback Riding and Trails

Hot Air Balloon Rides

The North Carolina Arboretum

Tubing

Waterfalls

Western North Carolina Nature Center

Asheville Vacation – Fun out of the sun!

There’s plenty to do indoors if you want to balance your trip out with a little culture, relaxation, and music. In fact, after a long sweaty hike, a visit to a foot spa may be just what you need.

Asheville Art Museum

Blue Spiral 1

Grove Park Inn Spa

Isis Music Hall

Jack of the Wood

The Orange Peel

The River Arts District

Sensibilities Day Spa

Southern Highland Craft Guild Folk Art Center

Wake Foot Sanctuary

Asheville Vacation – Downtown

Downtown Asheville is full of delights, and we couldn’t possibly list all of our favorite things to do. We can, however, list a few favorites!

Asheville Bee Charmer

Asheville Drum Circle

Asheville Pinball Museum

Asheville Salt Cave

Basilica of St. Lawrence

Battery Park Book Exchange and Champagne Bar

Conundrum

LaZoom Room Bar & Gorilla

The L.O.F.T. (Lost Objects, Found Treasures)

Malaprop’s Bookstore and Cafe

Storm Rhum Bar

The Times at S&W

Asheville Vacation Tours

Art, food, history, and haunted – we’ve got lots of fun tours to take in Asheville. Tours are an easy way to get to know more about what Asheville has to offer and you’ll never know what you might learn.

The Amazing Pubcycle

Asheville Art Studio Tours

Asheville Brewery Tours

Asheville Craft Beer Bike Tours 

Asheville Detours

Asheville Farm to Table Tours

Asheville Food Tours 

Asheville Rooftop Bar Tours

Asheville Wellness Tours

BREW-ed Brewery & History Walking Tours

Eating Asheville Walking Food Tours

Hood Huggers International

LaZoom Comedy Tours 

Taste Carolina Gourmet Food Tours

Tukit Tour Co

Wild Food Foraging Tour

Asheville Vacation – Events and Festivals

Thankfully, it isn’t our job to keep an updated list of all the cool events and festivals going on in the Asheville area. The good folks over at Explore Asheville have that difficult job! And since they’ve already done the incredible legwork, we figured we would send you over to look at their calendar. Just choose the days you’ll be in Asheville, and the category you’re interested in, and click ‘search’.

Event and Festival Calendar

The post Asheville Vacation – We’ve planned it for you! appeared first on French Broad Adventures.

Asheville Wellness Tours showcases some of the things that make our area so special while pairing them with relaxing and refreshing experiences. Their goal is not for you to see every single sight in Asheville. Rather, their hope is that you leave with a deeper, more personal connection to our little mountain town.

Asheville Wellness Walking Tours

A walking tour with a wellness twist! Experience Asheville’s unique culture on a lighthearted journey through downtown. Explore surprising avenues to wellness as your local guide shares Asheville’s fascinating history along the way. Learn from experts at unique local businesses and pause to center yourself with a yoga session in the park. Leave feeling refreshed & rejuvenated with a deeper connection to what makes this mountain town so special.

Yoga on the Mountain Hikes

What’s better than a rejuvenating yoga session? How about yoga atop a mountain surrounded by incredible views of the Blue Ridge Mountains?! Yoga on the Mountain Hikes include a 2-mile round-trip hike to a mountaintop and an hour of yoga for all levels at the summit. (Asheville Wellness Tours brings the mats.) We encourage participants to reconnect with themselves, nature, and their surroundings.

All of Asheville Wellness Tours include a local guide who serves as a resource for guests.

Do the above experiences sound appealing, but you had something else in mind? Asheville Wellness Tours can custom craft a wellness itinerary just for you!

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