Gold Rush
By Caroline Wilbert

(FORTUNE Small Business) – The Nantahala Outdoor Center is in Bryson City, N.C., about three hours north of Atlanta. Kayak options range from a $95 paddling sampler to a six-day course for $1,100, meals and gear included. It also has hiking and mountain bike rentals. noc.com; 800-232-7238

If you find yourself inspired by the run-up to the Athens Games this August, here are two other small businesses that offer instruction by current or former U.S. Olympians.

FENCING

At the NorthWest Fencing Center in Beaverton, Ore., you can learn from the best: Cody Mattern, who trains and teaches here and who will compete in Athens this summer. NorthWest has twice-a-week classes for kids ($60 a month) and adults ($80 a month). Believe it or not, you can have Junior's birthday party here too. nwfencing.org; 503-277-2237

CYCLING

High Gear Travel offers high-end packages such as ski trips with ex-Olympians Phil and Steve Mahr and cycling excursions in Europe and the U.S. Davis Phinney, who won a cycling bronze medal in the 1984 Games in Los Angeles, is a guide. Coming this July: a nine-day trip to the Tour de France, including daily rides on the Tour course and entry in Stage 10, which is open to amateurs. Cost: $2,495 to $4,595. highgeartravel.com; 781-431-2403 --C.W.