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That was an incredibly sketchy and burly swim. Its amazing how well you kept your composure, statyed calm, and made good decisions on the fly. Just astounding. Glad you're alright, and thank you for posting.
Dang Wade, I respect and appreciate you for posting this… that was a hell of a swim. I was straight cringing when I saw the rock chute coming up. Paddle hard brotha!
Yeah buddy that’s not a good spot over there because has a sieve at the bottom but considering the center and far left could have most likely been fatal at this level I knew that’s where needed to get to I feel it was instinct and luck that saved me and my gear this day
I'm glad you made it through that rock pile safely. And that's a good example of a swim. You tried to work out, knew it wasn't working, and pulled before you were too trashed to keep a clear head for the rest
Oh buddy yeah there’s a fine line do you want to just keep blowing all your energy fighting to get out then your complete dead tired now have to swim class five at high water or say fuck it I tried and only getting more tired save what you have for this rapid because there’s no safety it’s a self rescue and the bottom center and left could be fatal at this level get right immediately when I come out use the paddle as much as you can to get over there because you have one eddy and if you miss it get ready I was thinking a lot of things and continue to process everything accordingly
Wade! You have the respect of every paddler in the SE and beyond and so glad you are ok and wow that swim looked to be tough. Glad you are ok and you are an amazing paddler as you well know!
Yeah buddy got lucky didn’t get seriously injured in what’s a really bad rapid to be out the boat. Guess we are opposite now I only swim when your not running safety 🤣
Wow that hole looked nasty and the swim was brutal. Glad you got out okay Wade. Really great to see you using the paddle in a swim, you don't see this often, it's one of the first things my club teaches.. you don't want to drop your paddle!
I have always preached that to people also hold your paddle and even use it if you can to make moves across currents only let go if needed both hands like to grab something Like a rope tree rock limbs ect if you notice i ditch it when I was going into that right slot sieve I needed both hands to try to grab that rock and not slide in there but was to slippery anyway and still fell in the paddle ended up in the eddy on the right below where I got out
@@WadeHarrison Yeah, you handled it perfectly had to ditch the paddle last minute for a safe exit! Impressive how you managed to stay calm in that situation. Alot scarier than any position I'm likely to get myself in on the rivers I'm currently running. I think on that river I would have gone into a panic mode but I'd atleast be holding onto my paddle whilst doing so 😂
Holy... What a swim you had...Im glad you came out ok... I had a similar swim to that (time wise) on the Kern in high-water a few years back...My heart was about to jump through my chest... As you know, mind over matter will most likely always save us! I hope you got your boat and paddle back...
Yeah high water swimming no joke could go from bad to worse super fast even in eddy lines and yes I actually got everything back downstream which is crazy at this level paddle boat and me all came out good sometimes just good to me lucky
Beater of the day. Thanks for sharing! Actually just started to train on swimming with the paddle, great skill to have. Glad you got out OK, that swim could have ended either way. Great channel you got, learning alot by watching you.. Keep up that spirit. ✌️
Yeah so many just lay back and like wait for a rope time to practice what I preach 😂 be active swimming don’t just lay back and hope that never ends well
Exactly coming from someone else that knows how bad that bottom drop is over on the right side by the rock I was thinking that exact thing and was like get far right immediately even though it’s still a shit place to be I think center or left was so much worse I think what save me was knowing where to go and little luck
That's a fine swim. My last swim was on the most nonsense little rapid that flipped me, and the river was so shallow I was pinned to the slabs of rock and was just too weak to drag myself up, so I kicked the boat off me and stood up and walked out. Haha. It was cringe. But it woke me up for the rest of the run.
I like the fact you have grab-handles on your river banks. Very handy! Seriously though, you stayed in your bought and fought for longer than most people would, so fair play to you. There are only 2 types of boater; those who've swam and those that will.
Oh those are all over the place including underneath that’s just another thing to worry about getting hung up on in a swim. The interstate in alongside this river so those were added in a lot of spots to keep the banks from collapsing in all the rocks are blasted rocks also so there’s undercuts and road debris scattered about very dangerous to be out the boat here
Exactly I tried to explain that to a few so you know how bad that is over there my thinking was if I had to swim any of this far left and center at this level could be fatal and impossible to help if I’m there and that right side has a bad sieve pocket in there but at least can maybe jump and clear it and probably the best spot to get help if was pinned I feel it was a bit of river knowledge instinct and just luck that saved me and my gear this day
Thanks for this. Question - it looked like you pulled your skirt, but then stayed in your boat while it filled rather than immediately wet exiting to allow you and the boat to flush out of the hole. Did I see that correctly, and I assume it was on purpose so your boat didn't stay in the hole.
Actually was pulling the skirt let the boat fill up and weight and Fl drag and would in theory push me out but when the water rushed in i got pushed out
Yeah I feel 99% time can get out just overcome this week long illness and vomiting some before put on had almost zero energy to even be paddling this day especially something like this but didn’t want to flake on these guys first time needing me as a guide I knew exactly where this hole was and was just floating and flopped right in it like a dumbass and knew after few tries just save what has you gave for the swim because this is not going to be good and there’s no safety down there
Oh buddy I knew I had to get far right because center or left at that drop was most likely fatal or a broken bone which I think the paddle strokes got me over there and I knew even that slot has a bad sieve at the bottom the point where I made one last ditch to try to grab that rock where I drop the paddle I needed both hands there to try to hold on but it was very slippery and just dropped into the gap and I was like oh know I’m dead there’s a gap between these I have seen this without water before so yeah that’s why I drop it I needed to try to get through there
You get the G’Power back?!? 😮 Few ppl on river today were talking ab this video and how well you used the paddle. I had to double check you weren’t in your boat bc you were paddling so well. 😊
Actually yeah I feel holding the paddle and making those few quick strokes is what got me to the right side of that drop because the center or far left of that drop seriously could be fatal at that level out your boat there is nowhere good to go there swimming even the slot I went down has a bad sieve and metal at the bottom. And that’s the point I let go the paddle to try to hold that rock but it was like grease so slippery fell down into the slot and luckily flush out and yes the paddle was in a eddy with some trash and trees couple eddies down and the boat went like a mile and some change down on the river left I jogged down and got everything back and was all good and paddled out like nothing happened crazy everything accounted for and uninjured sometimes just get lucky which I know I did
@@WadeHarrison I just learned the sport this year. I NEVER would have thought you could use your paddle like that in a swim. Goin to be practicing that in the Gull next summer.
@@jezusmurphy454 it’s case by case if you need to grab tree ropes rocks whatever to get out do it don’t worry about the paddle but my advice to anyone if you can use it to move across the river fast I highly recommend it because you will be surprised how well it works over just your hands especially in big water
@@rivermonkeys yeah not a good spot to swim but hey had it on video thought I would share it to show paddle enough times on stout rivers it’s going to get you eventually. Also hope people can see be a active swimmer don’t just lay back and hope for a rope because self rescue is a major part of paddling class V
I have taken some swims in 45 years of ww, but yours takes the prize.. If I have been stuck in a bad hole and can't get out the side, I have purposely flipped, move my body towards bottom and gotten pulled out of the backflow.. In retrospect, was there anything you would try to escape that hole before pulling the ripcord?
Yeah I actually pulled the skirts to let it fill and flush but was so violent when I window shades it blasted my ass right out the kayak which was not the plan so went to plan b immediately and feel 99% time I can get out this hole no problem just was not at 100% after coming off this illness really shouldn’t even been paddling this day but was thinking get through the top and can just float the rest but oh well
Glad you made it out Wade! Beginner kayaker here. How did you get stuck in the hole? If you ran this again today, would you go in with more speed and try to punch it angled left?
A couple things I have paddled this river a lot more then most ever and was fully aware of this hole even telling the guy watch for it and the spot to run this is far right or on the left close to the big rock you can run center but need to take a big power stroke and throw weight forward to get over it which I did none of those and even still I believe I can get out of this hole if was 100% myself watching the video should have turned forward and blasted the river right side and flipped and think i would have washed but just overcoming a illness and no energy I took the easy way out and decided to save what I had left for the swim
Oh I knew that missing that eddy was not good but the other side of that rock could be fatal so took a few quick paddle strokes to get even further right and it worked out
You swam right beside the siphon on the right side nowhere. That was scary. I am also sure that felt like getting kicked by a bull many times. Glad you are ok
Oh buddy trust me I know I thought I was going to make that right side eddy and when I went over that top ledge I was like oh fuck I’m way right and I’m about to drop into that broken right side which I have seen at lower water and it has a actual gap that washes through that’s the point where you see me ditch that paddle and get ready to drop in that and dam I think I got lucky in there I seriously was thinking if I drop in that gap I’m not going to survive this
Woahh that was a rough swim Wade. Glad you and your kit got out ok. Saving some energy for the swim was the right thing to do. I think that hole had you good and proper 😮
Champion swim and looks like the river knowledge really paid off this day. Not to take pleasure in your misfortune, but it's good to know the master is still human like the rest of us. Every swim I've ever had has been a valuable learning experience. Very happy you're okay and hope you are feeling all back up to snuff!
Yeah I posted this hopefully people see if you can hold your paddle can be very useful In some situations to get you across big eddy lines I don’t know if i would have done better at getting right just using my hands
@@WadeHarrison yup. My wife and I practice regularly swimming with our paddles. Makes up for all the drag created by dry suits, pfds, etc and absolutely helps you go much faster and with more power!
In 2010 I lost my closest paddling friend when he was caught in a recirculating hole. Since then I’ve struggled with my own confidence. Watching videos like this sends chills up my spine.
Dam Sorry to hear that buddy I was thinking in my head after my energy level was tanked i should stop dealing with this hole and save what gas I have left because this swimming this hole and rapid is going to be brutal there’s a fine line when knowing Your really stuck and probably not coming out in the boat and knowing when to just use what you got left for the swim
@@WadeHarrison my friend Jim was surfed a bit and window shaded. He then exited the boat. The hole would not release him. Another buddy who was with him tried twice to back his boat into the hole to pull him out. Jim’s hands were not strong enough to hold on to the grab loop. The water temp was roughly 38 degrees. On the second attempt my other buddy was flipped and now both he and Jim were getting recirculated. The hole released my other buddy but sadly before they could get a rope to him Jim passed. CPR was done for an hour to no avail. At the time Jim was one of the best boaters in New England. He was also a rep for Bliss Stick. His tragic accident let us all know the river can take the best of us. As a friend once said, the river doesn’t love you and the river doesn’t hate you, it just keeps flowing. Be safe Wade. Peace!
Yeah thanks for watching hopefully some will see this and see it’s good to be a active swimmer and not just come out and hope for a rope and float down the river everyone needs to what they can to self rescue best they can
Good god man, that looked rough. What section is this? It didn’t look familiar to me. Glad you had those good self rescue skills because that crew you were showing down wasn’t going to do you much good. I’ve gotten to the point where I make sure I have plenty of experienced back up when I’m showing people down stuff so if something happens to me I’m not the only one out there that knows the river and so I have someone that can also save me if something happens. Hopefully you got your boat back, but even if you didn’t at least you made it out of there.
Yeah I knew this was 100% self rescue and also knew that the center and far left was probably going to be fatal at this level so had one chance to make the right side eddy or at least swim the right side which I know has a sieve over there but probably still the best of the worst spot and yeah it was supposed to be 5 of us but the others bailed and I was not feeling my best after overcoming a sickness all week but didn’t want to flake on these guys after talking it up how good this run is and I have more laps out there then anyone at all levels from super high to super low and felt hey make it through the top section then just float the rest out well in hindsight probably should’ve have just not went this day not feeling 100% and yeah got lucky all gear and me accounted for completely fine paddle boat everything crazy
Dayuum, that looked rough Wade. Glad that you reached shore and hope you're alright. But why the heck didn't your crew give chase? I go alone, wtf is a crew?!
Yeah during it I thought I was going to be done for especially swimming right at the bottom that’s a broken ledge over there it’s a sieve out in the bottom and to be fair the crew I was showing them down so they had know idea weather to chase or not they were already getting out on river right as I was swimming by I knew this was a self rescue situation
And no fair! I could have used some metal grab rings at cheoah. I knew you swam before I watched the video and I was still rooting for you in the hole lol
😂 99% time I can get out of that hole just overcoming this flu and my energy levels are in the tank I knew after the second back loop I was not coming out in the kayak and started thinking need to save the energy for this one because it’s stout downstream in hindsight probably should not be paddling out there today should have went somewhere chill but oh well
@@WadeHarrison Yeah, that's what goes through your head after two or three rolls. You can't spend yourself completely to fight the hole. You made the right call.
Yeah might do a breakdown at some point actually not a bad idea I stayed very calm and processed the situation and knew exactly what was about to happen down stream and how bad this rapid is used the paddle to get me further right and not center which is the best of the worst spot and surprisingly all worked out
@@WadeHarrison Yes please! Would love to hear you giving commentary about your thoughts/actions over this video while things were happening, and I'm sure many want to hear your advice about what to do in similar situations. You'll probably have to pause the video at times in order to express everything before moving the next section of video. I've been reading your comments to this video and finally realized how dangerous the situation was you went through. I'm so glad you survived.
Yeah still thinking if I was at 100% and not just coming off week of sickness i could get out this hole no problem I had no energy at all I actually vomited before we putin when getting dressed and was like just suck it up get through the top section then just float the rest probably should have went somewhere chill as first day back but yeah always a lot of should haves 😂
3 places I don’t wanna swim in there, first is Chinese, 2nd NTL, 3rd Towers, actually at that level all swims are potentially life threatening. Much respect for that stellar self rescue: For people that don’t know, that’s a very nasty section to be swimming especially at that level. Glad you’re good duder.
Spoken like someone who knows yes all those named are next level bad spots to be out the boat with no safety downstream I agree any of these could easily be fatal at high flows
Jesus dude. Brutal one. Glad your all good man. Was it on this river that you said nothing stops a Scorch? I think the river heard you and was scheming. LoL. Seriously though Wade I'm glad things worked out well considering.
Yes it is actually I have more laps out there then anyone at all levels this one had me already in a compromised state just getting over the flu and still not 100% so it threw something at me with limited energy levels and was like oh boy this is not good
River Is Dries of The Pigeon in North Caroline rapid is the longest and stoutest section on it Called Nowhere to Land because the line is to boof right on rocks at the bottom this one gets portage a lot.
Very unfortunate that episode. I think a little more speed just before the incident of getting caught in that stopper would have seen you 'dodge the bullet.' And once stuck in there, you almost cleared it on the left brace twice. I think one more positive left stroke and pull like s**t and you'd have cleared it. Great use too of the paddle after you are out of the boat, I hope many others would see there's a positive sometimes in tricky situations like this to actually hold onto your paddle as you can still possibly use it to get out of tight spots. Nice conditions though and thanks for posting. Greetings from London England. 🇬🇧 🤚 🇺🇸
All gear accounted for ✅ I made it down for week of rivers! Got my goat and some awesome pfd’s Ocoee Pigeon Cheoah Fb9 Nanty!! It’s definitely my new thing to do every year!!!!
Yeah buddy I knew I didn’t want to go over the center that could have been insanely bad those quick paddle strokes got me far right where still not good but better spot came away with few little scratches but totally fine
I liked the way you used your paddle to swim. Were you aiming to redirect away from a feature or trying to get to an eddy? Then you had to go through a manky narrow section and another insulting hole. It must have been a real struggle to get a breath in considering your mouth is 6” below the gopro view (which was under water A LOT). I try to practice the paddle swim periodically… never know when you may need it and it’s a bit tricky. There are a few different body/paddle positions.
Yeah buddy I have preached that a lot actually you can use your paddle after coming out your boat you will be surprised how well you can move around unless your need to grab a rope or something then you should ditch everything. But I knew this was 100% a self rescue And yes there’s one last chance eddy on the right I was going for I knew the center and far left of the bottom drop could be fatal at this level so do not go there so hopes was to get to the eddy or at least far river right which still has metal broken oracle and a bad sieve over there but maybe can jump and avoid the bottom that’s the point where I dropped the paddle and was trying to get up on the rock but was way to slippery and was like oh shit I’m going to drop into this rock jumble gap but was actually remembered thinking like dam glad I’m not center or left So pushed off slightly to keep from going in the sieve and flush right over and when I went over that last bit I was like oh dam I survived now swim like a fish to grab whatever and luckily a still ring was there to grab I think was a combination of knowledge instinct and luck that saved me and my gear this day
@@WadeHarrison ya know, describing your thought process is really helpful. Most paddlers scouting a section on a PFD are talking best lines and boofs. I'm thinkin' obstacle avoidance, swim strategy, most likely savior and how far downstream I gotta walk for the yard sale. Serious though, deciding to run or portage, unless you got safety set, assume self-rescue. Whatcha gonna do when the swim comes for you!
Yeah all good and because held on to the paddle it went right and got wedged on some trees over there the boat was about mile and some change downstream I jogged down until I found it and paddled out everything was good which is crazy at that level gear is almost always gone
@@WadeHarrison definitely! That kinda flow will take your gear to the next town! Lol Nothing sucks more than losing your shit! Swims are bad enough but losing $$$ on top of that really hurts your feelings!
This video scares the crap out of me. I don't think a lot of people realize how much your mouth and nose were underwater in this clip. I've never had a swim this violent, but I've had a few that scared me and beat me up pretty bad. I also use my paddle to swim and it does seem to really help. Thanks for showing that as it seems a lot of the commenters have never tried it. Be careful out there.
Actually yes I was getting gassed way to fast and was like pull the skirt let water in and should blast me out but when I window shaded it blasted my ass right out the boat and immediately I knew that was a bad idea get ready because this is a long rapid
Yeah not the ideal way to run the longest stoutest rapid there and I knew that right side has a bad sieve and was like oh know I’m going in there surprisingly got lucky over there
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Thanks for actually posting that- good reminder that we're all between swims.
Yeah for sure paddle long enough and on stout enough it will happen
That was an incredibly sketchy and burly swim. Its amazing how well you kept your composure, statyed calm, and made good decisions on the fly. Just astounding. Glad you're alright, and thank you for posting.
Yeah it worked out pretty good considering the level and that rapid
Dang Wade, I respect and appreciate you for posting this… that was a hell of a swim. I was straight cringing when I saw the rock chute coming up. Paddle hard brotha!
Yeah buddy that’s not a good spot over there because has a sieve at the bottom but considering the center and far left could have most likely been fatal at this level I knew that’s where needed to get to I feel it was instinct and luck that saved me and my gear this day
I'm glad you made it through that rock pile safely. And that's a good example of a swim. You tried to work out, knew it wasn't working, and pulled before you were too trashed to keep a clear head for the rest
Oh buddy yeah there’s a fine line do you want to just keep blowing all your energy fighting to get out then your complete dead tired now have to swim class five at high water or say fuck it I tried and only getting more tired save what you have for this rapid because there’s no safety it’s a self rescue and the bottom center and left could be fatal at this level get right immediately when I come out use the paddle as much as you can to get over there because you have one eddy and if you miss it get ready I was thinking a lot of things and continue to process everything accordingly
Legend for showing this, thank you. There’s no shame in a swim, ever ❤
Oh yeah I been out and seen a lot of swims and crashes lately figured I do my part also
Wade! You have the respect of every paddler in the SE and beyond and so glad you are ok and wow that swim looked to be tough. Glad you are ok and you are an amazing paddler as you well know!
Yeah buddy got lucky didn’t get seriously injured in what’s a really bad rapid to be out the boat.
Guess we are opposite now I only swim when your not running safety 🤣
Wow that hole looked nasty and the swim was brutal. Glad you got out okay Wade. Really great to see you using the paddle in a swim, you don't see this often, it's one of the first things my club teaches.. you don't want to drop your paddle!
I have always preached that to people also hold your paddle and even use it if you can to make moves across currents only let go if needed both hands like to grab something Like a rope tree rock limbs ect
if you notice i ditch it when I was going into that right slot sieve I needed both hands to try to grab that rock and not slide in there but was to slippery anyway and still fell in the paddle ended up in the eddy on the right below where I got out
@@WadeHarrison Yeah, you handled it perfectly had to ditch the paddle last minute for a safe exit! Impressive how you managed to stay calm in that situation. Alot scarier than any position I'm likely to get myself in on the rivers I'm currently running. I think on that river I would have gone into a panic mode but I'd atleast be holding onto my paddle whilst doing so 😂
@@craigparkin1912 exactly
Holy... What a swim you had...Im glad you came out ok... I had a similar swim to that (time wise) on the Kern in high-water a few years back...My heart was about to jump through my chest... As you know, mind over matter will most likely always save us! I hope you got your boat and paddle back...
Yeah high water swimming no joke could go from bad to worse super fast even in eddy lines and yes I actually got everything back downstream which is crazy at this level paddle boat and me all came out good sometimes just good to me lucky
Beater of the day. Thanks for sharing! Actually just started to train on swimming with the paddle, great skill to have. Glad you got out OK, that swim could have ended either way. Great channel you got, learning alot by watching you.. Keep up that spirit. ✌️
Yeah buddy thanks for watching
Man! So so close to getting outta there before the swim. Amazing self-rescue! Wish more people were that self aware.
Yeah so many just lay back and like wait for a rope time to practice what I preach 😂 be active swimming don’t just lay back and hope that never ends well
So glad to see you missed that heinous sieve in the center right of the main drop, impressed you were able to make it into the right channel. Scary!
Exactly coming from someone else that knows how bad that bottom drop is over on the right side by the rock
I was thinking that exact thing and was like get far right immediately even though it’s still a shit place to be I think center or left was so much worse I think what save me was knowing where to go and little luck
Damn Wade!! Everything you do is extreme! Even your swims!!! 😂
😂 yeah I don’t like running rapids without a kayak it sucks I tried to paddle the top part briefly
That's a fine swim. My last swim was on the most nonsense little rapid that flipped me, and the river was so shallow I was pinned to the slabs of rock and was just too weak to drag myself up, so I kicked the boat off me and stood up and walked out. Haha. It was cringe. But it woke me up for the rest of the run.
Dam that sounds brutal
I like the fact you have grab-handles on your river banks. Very handy!
Seriously though, you stayed in your bought and fought for longer than most people would, so fair play to you.
There are only 2 types of boater;
those who've swam and those that will.
Oh those are all over the place including underneath that’s just another thing to worry about getting hung up on in a swim.
The interstate in alongside this river so those were added in a lot of spots to keep the banks from collapsing in all the rocks are blasted rocks also so there’s undercuts and road debris scattered about very dangerous to be out the boat here
That was quite the swim. Your experience and knowledge of aggressive self rescue amazed me once again. Thank you for the excellent content.
I feel knowledge instinct and luck saved my gear and me this day
Knowing what that right side looks like at low water, I was holding my breath watching you go through there! Glad you're alright!
Exactly I tried to explain that to a few so you know how bad that is over there my thinking was if I had to swim any of this far left and center at this level could be fatal and impossible to help if I’m there and that right side has a bad sieve pocket in there but at least can maybe jump and clear it and probably the best spot to get help if was pinned I feel it was a bit of river knowledge instinct and just luck that saved me and my gear this day
Welcome to the swim club Wade, I'm the team captain. ;< )
Hahah I already been in it just my time between them had got longer
Y’all crazy and I love it! So fun to watch. Thanks for sharing.
Yeah seen a lot of crashes and swimmers lately in my past few videos figured I do my part
That was a monster swim! Great self rescue. Did I read that you were recovering from the flu? Even more impressive. Glad you are ok.
Yes I was still slightly sick probably should have not even paddled that day but was like make it through the top section and just chill the rest
Wow, that was a good one. I am glad you are ok.
Thanks buddy I was lucky on this one
Holy crap! What a ride & swim. Glad you're ok.
Yeah was a ride only got slightly nervous when I was dropping into that right slot I knew that had a bad sieve under it but guess got lucky
Thanks for this. Question - it looked like you pulled your skirt, but then stayed in your boat while it filled rather than immediately wet exiting to allow you and the boat to flush out of the hole. Did I see that correctly, and I assume it was on purpose so your boat didn't stay in the hole.
Actually was pulling the skirt let the boat fill up and weight and Fl drag and would in theory push me out but when the water rushed in i got pushed out
Been in that same hole at about same level and got lucky and surfed out river left. Glad you are alright.
Yeah I feel 99% time can get out just overcome this week long illness and vomiting some before put on had almost zero energy to even be paddling this day especially something like this but didn’t want to flake on these guys first time needing me as a guide I knew exactly where this hole was and was just floating and flopped right in it like a dumbass and knew after few tries just save what has you gave for the swim because this is not going to be good and there’s no safety down there
Wade, you're taking these dry suit reviews a little too far man!
😂 good testing
Glad you made it out ok brother. Looked rough when you washed thru that Boulder garden. Sheesh
Yeah it was all good
Beat down!!! Glad you’re alright!
Yeah found the hole 😂
What made you ditch your paddle at the last minute? It looked like you were making good progress with it.
Oh buddy I knew I had to get far right because center or left at that drop was most likely fatal or a broken bone which I think the paddle strokes got me over there and I knew even that slot has a bad sieve at the bottom the point where I made one last ditch to try to grab that rock where I drop the paddle I needed both hands there to try to hold on but it was very slippery and just dropped into the gap and I was like oh know I’m dead there’s a gap between these I have seen this without water before so yeah that’s why I drop it I needed to try to get through there
Maybe take the Romeo paddle next time. 😂
@@chriswinns407 Hahha just paddling that with the Romeo would be more scary then that swim
Dang Wade! Glad your okay. Definitely humbling.
Yeah me too buddy
I need to self medicate after watching that! Glad you’re safe bro. Way scary man.
😂 I had a bottle after this one to self medicate I got lucky
You get the G’Power back?!? 😮 Few ppl on river today were talking ab this video and how well you used the paddle. I had to double check you weren’t in your boat bc you were paddling so well. 😊
Actually yeah I feel holding the paddle and making those few quick strokes is what got me to the right side of that drop because the center or far left of that drop seriously could be fatal at that level out your boat
there is nowhere good to go there swimming even the slot I went down has a bad sieve and metal at the bottom. And that’s the point I let go the paddle to try to hold that rock but it was like grease so slippery fell down into the slot and luckily flush out
and yes the paddle was in a eddy with some trash and trees couple eddies down
and the boat went like a mile and some change down on the river left I jogged down and got everything back and was all good and paddled out like nothing happened crazy everything accounted for and uninjured sometimes just get lucky which I know I did
@@WadeHarrison I just learned the sport this year. I NEVER would have thought you could use your paddle like that in a swim. Goin to be practicing that in the Gull next summer.
@@jezusmurphy454 it’s case by case if you need to grab tree ropes rocks whatever to get out do it don’t worry about the paddle but my advice to anyone if you can use it to move across the river fast I highly recommend it because you will be surprised how well it works over just your hands especially in big water
Happy you are ok, first and foremost. That being said, I’m happy you posted a swim. Showing us that everyone swims
@@rivermonkeys yeah not a good spot to swim but hey had it on video thought I would share it to show paddle enough times on stout rivers it’s going to get you eventually.
Also hope people can see be a active swimmer don’t just lay back and hope for a rope because self rescue is a major part of paddling class V
I have taken some swims in 45 years of ww, but yours takes the prize.. If I have been stuck in a bad hole and can't get out the side, I have purposely flipped, move my body towards bottom and gotten pulled out of the backflow.. In retrospect, was there anything you would try to escape that hole before pulling the ripcord?
Yeah I actually pulled the skirts to let it fill and flush but was so violent when I window shades it blasted my ass right out the kayak which was not the plan so went to plan b immediately
and feel 99% time I can get out this hole no problem just was not at 100% after coming off this illness really shouldn’t even been paddling this day but was thinking get through the top and can just float the rest but oh well
Glad you made it out Wade!
Beginner kayaker here. How did you get stuck in the hole? If you ran this again today, would you go in with more speed and try to punch it angled left?
A couple things I have paddled this river a lot more then most ever and was fully aware of this hole even telling the guy watch for it and the spot to run this is far right or on the left close to the big rock you can run center but need to take a big power stroke and throw weight forward to get over it which I did none of those and even still I believe I can get out of this hole if was 100% myself watching the video should have turned forward and blasted the river right side and flipped and think i would have washed but just overcoming a illness and no energy I took the easy way out and decided to save what I had left for the swim
@@WadeHarrison Thanks for the full explanation!
Glad you’re okay. Thanks for posting.
Yeah actually shocked came away from this with just a few small scratches
Thanks for posting, helpful to everyone to know we can all swim. I thought you had made it out if the hole at one point. Hope you are safe and ok
I almost did
Dude! You handled that like a champ!
Yeah hung in there this was a self rescue situation.
That was tough swim!! Glad you’re ok.
Thanks buddy worked out ok
Glad you are ok 😊
Thanks buddy
Gosh dang. Way to hang in there! Swimming the right side looked rough.
Oh I knew that missing that eddy was not good but the other side of that rock could be fatal so took a few quick paddle strokes to get even further right and it worked out
Bro that's was a long swim glad you was ok.
Brilliant video.
Yeah got lucky was all good and had it on film might as well share it
You swam right beside the siphon on the right side nowhere. That was scary. I am also sure that felt like getting kicked by a bull many times. Glad you are ok
Oh buddy trust me I know I thought I was going to make that right side eddy and when I went over that top ledge I was like oh fuck I’m way right and I’m about to drop into that broken right side which I have seen at lower water and it has a actual gap that washes through that’s the point where you see me ditch that paddle and get ready to drop in that and dam I think I got lucky in there I seriously was thinking if I drop in that gap I’m not going to survive this
Epic swim, and glad you’re ok! One question, where’s the bootie beer?!
Hahah I had a bootie vodka bottle
Woahh that was a rough swim Wade. Glad you and your kit got out ok. Saving some energy for the swim was the right thing to do. I think that hole had you good and proper 😮
Yeah all good everything accounted for boat paddle and me at this levels good to be lucky
man...could only watch once...just glad you are good...
Well hopefully I only do it once…
Champion swim and looks like the river knowledge really paid off this day. Not to take pleasure in your misfortune, but it's good to know the master is still human like the rest of us. Every swim I've ever had has been a valuable learning experience. Very happy you're okay and hope you are feeling all back up to snuff!
Yeah I posted this hopefully people see if you can hold your paddle can be very useful In some situations to get you across big eddy lines I don’t know if i would have done better at getting right just using my hands
@@WadeHarrison yup. My wife and I practice regularly swimming with our paddles. Makes up for all the drag created by dry suits, pfds, etc and absolutely helps you go much faster and with more power!
Been there.. Time stands still when you're in the hole..helpless and at the mercy of the river
It sure does
Ohhh. Where is that? Iron net that happened to be there helped. I'm glad you are fine
It’s dries of the pigeon in North Carolina one the best around when it’s high like this
In 2010 I lost my closest paddling friend when he was caught in a recirculating hole. Since then I’ve struggled with my own confidence. Watching videos like this sends chills up my spine.
Dam Sorry to hear that buddy
I was thinking in my head after my energy level was tanked i should stop dealing with this hole and save what gas I have left because this swimming this hole and rapid is going to be brutal there’s a fine line when knowing Your really stuck and probably not coming out in the boat and knowing when to just use what you got left for the swim
@@WadeHarrison my friend Jim was surfed a bit and window shaded. He then exited the boat. The hole would not release him. Another buddy who was with him tried twice to back his boat into the hole to pull him out. Jim’s hands were not strong enough to hold on to the grab loop. The water temp was roughly 38 degrees. On the second attempt my other buddy was flipped and now both he and Jim were getting recirculated. The hole released my other buddy but sadly before they could get a rope to him Jim passed. CPR was done for an hour to no avail. At the time Jim was one of the best boaters in New England. He was also a rep for Bliss Stick. His tragic accident let us all know the river can take the best of us. As a friend once said, the river doesn’t love you and the river doesn’t hate you, it just keeps flowing. Be safe Wade. Peace!
Glad you're ok Wade, really enjoy the channel and all you do for promoting ww. I had flashbacks of swims watching this.
Yeah thanks for watching hopefully some will see this and see it’s good to be a active swimmer and not just come out and hope for a rope and float down the river everyone needs to what they can to self rescue best they can
Good god man, that looked rough. What section is this? It didn’t look familiar to me.
Glad you had those good self rescue skills because that crew you were showing down wasn’t going to do you much good. I’ve gotten to the point where I make sure I have plenty of experienced back up when I’m showing people down stuff so if something happens to me I’m not the only one out there that knows the river and so I have someone that can also save me if something happens.
Hopefully you got your boat back, but even if you didn’t at least you made it out of there.
Yeah I knew this was 100% self rescue and also knew that the center and far left was probably going to be fatal at this level so had one chance to make the right side eddy or at least swim the right side which I know has a sieve over there but probably still the best of the worst spot and yeah it was supposed to be 5 of us but the others bailed and I was not feeling my best after overcoming a sickness all week but didn’t want to flake on these guys after talking it up how good this run is and I have more laps out there then anyone at all levels from super high to super low and felt hey make it through the top section then just float the rest out well in hindsight probably should’ve have just not went this day not feeling 100% and yeah got lucky all gear and me accounted for completely fine paddle boat everything crazy
Where!?
Dayuum, that looked rough Wade. Glad that you reached shore and hope you're alright. But why the heck didn't your crew give chase? I go alone, wtf is a crew?!
Yeah during it I thought I was going to be done for especially swimming right at the bottom that’s a broken ledge over there it’s a sieve out in the bottom
and to be fair the crew I was showing them down so they had know idea weather to chase or not they were already getting out on river right as I was swimming by I knew this was a self rescue situation
sweet name
@@ObsidianMoonstone My name is Shackleford, Rusty Shackleford.
Nasty swim dude. That last bit with the shute on the right was no fun at all. Glad you made it!
Yeah buddy that rock jumble on the right I was thinking oh no this is bad and flush right through
@@WadeHarrison yeah man. I'd have been crossing myself there...
Glad you're alright!!
Yeah all good
And no fair! I could have used some metal grab rings at cheoah. I knew you swam before I watched the video and I was still rooting for you in the hole lol
😂 99% time I can get out of that hole just overcoming this flu and my energy levels are in the tank I knew after the second back loop I was not coming out in the kayak and started thinking need to save the energy for this one because it’s stout downstream
in hindsight probably should not be paddling out there today should have went somewhere chill but oh well
@Wade Harrison for sure...almost like getting worked during a race lap. Way to hang!
@@RiverKingsKayak being gassed then getting ass kick is just next level
@@WadeHarrison Yeah, that's what goes through your head after two or three rolls. You can't spend yourself completely to fight the hole. You made the right call.
Glad you’re ok !!
Yeah all
All Good sometimes better to be lucky then good
Woh! That did NOT look like any fun at all. SO glad you’re safe!
Yeah was not the ideal line there but worked out ok
I'd like to run that river, but I think I might walk that rapid. That swim looked horrible. Glad you are ok.
Yeah it actually gets portage a lot I have never walked it
But now I can say I did not “paddle down it” for one trip 😂
Glad you're OK man, love watching your videos
Hey thanks guess everyone needs some self carnage here and there I have posted a lot of others so time to share 😂
Nasty swim, glad you got through it safely!
Yeah sometimes good to be lucky
Really glad, that you made it, without any further problems. How about a video about, how to behave correctly in such a Situation.
😎👍
Yeah might do a breakdown at some point actually not a bad idea I stayed very calm and processed the situation and knew exactly what was about to happen down stream and how bad this rapid is used the paddle to get me further right and not center which is the best of the worst spot and surprisingly all worked out
@@WadeHarrison Yes please! Would love to hear you giving commentary about your thoughts/actions over this video while things were happening, and I'm sure many want to hear your advice about what to do in similar situations. You'll probably have to pause the video at times in order to express everything before moving the next section of video. I've been reading your comments to this video and finally realized how dangerous the situation was you went through. I'm so glad you survived.
That's a gnarly swim.
Definitely not a good spot to be out the kayak
@@WadeHarrison You handled it like a boss, though. I hope to get as good at kayaking as you are someday.
@@benjamindbailey thanks buddy yeah it’s like anything just time spent doing it
Hey glad ur ok! What was the level that day?
Thanks it worked out ok and I’m thinking it was 3200 this day
U looked close to getting out of the hole a couple times. Good reminder that everyone swims!
Yeah still thinking if I was at 100% and not just coming off week of sickness i could get out this hole no problem I had no energy at all I actually vomited before we putin when getting dressed and was like just suck it up get through the top section then just float the rest probably should have went somewhere chill as first day back but yeah always a lot of should haves 😂
Wow glad you’re ok!!! That’s a brutal swim!
Yeah got lucky I think could have been worse
3 places I don’t wanna swim in there, first is Chinese, 2nd NTL, 3rd Towers, actually at that level all swims are potentially life threatening.
Much respect for that stellar self rescue: For people that don’t know, that’s a very nasty section to be swimming especially at that level. Glad you’re good duder.
Spoken like someone who knows yes all those named are next level bad spots to be out the boat with no safety downstream I agree any of these could easily be fatal at high flows
Wade that’s probably one of the best swim videos I’ve ever seen WOW scary
😂 well glad got it on film
Jesus dude. Brutal one. Glad your all good man. Was it on this river that you said nothing stops a Scorch? I think the river heard you and was scheming. LoL. Seriously though Wade I'm glad things worked out well considering.
Yes it is actually I have more laps out there then anyone at all levels this one had me already in a compromised state just getting over the flu and still not 100% so it threw something at me with limited energy levels and was like oh boy this is not good
Brutal! Glad you're OK brochacho!!
Yeah buddy all worked out
How do you even start finding your paddle after that?
Luck was on my side on all my gear it was gone but I actually recovered everything downstream
If whitewater swimming ever becomes an olympic sport, that swim gets you qualified for the national team, no questions asked
Hahah I take that
"Watch for big holes" - hold my beer! Wow that hole was grabby!
Haha yeah that was too perfect not to put in there
That was pure combat!
Oh yeah
Brutal swim Wade, glad you are OK!
Yeah all worked out
God damn that looked like a sketchy ass swim too, glad you're good man
Yeah it was and i got lucky
This was a scary swim to watch. What river and rapid was this?
Not that bad until I got to the bottom then I got slightly worried and the river is the pigeon dries in North Carolina
Whoa! That looked brutal!
It was when it was happening but flushed through that right side I just knew I was going into a sieve over there but got lucky 🍀
Which river/rapid is this?
River Is Dries of The Pigeon in North Caroline rapid is the longest and stoutest section on it Called Nowhere to Land because the line is to boof right on rocks at the bottom this one gets portage a lot.
Very unfortunate that episode. I think a little more speed just before the incident of getting caught in that stopper would have seen you 'dodge the bullet.'
And once stuck in there, you almost cleared it on the left brace twice. I think one more positive left stroke and pull like s**t and you'd have cleared it.
Great use too of the paddle after you are out of the boat, I hope many others would see there's a positive sometimes in tricky situations like this to actually hold onto your paddle as you can still possibly use it to get out of tight spots.
Nice conditions though and thanks for posting.
Greetings from London England.
🇬🇧 🤚 🇺🇸
Yeah some more fighting would have probably got me out just was thinking save some energy for the swimming because it’s going to be a bad one
Glad your okay man that looked like a rough swim
Yeah all good
How was the yard sale?
😂 I got lucky 🍀 the paddle was right there with me but the boat was mile downriver pinned on some rocks
All gear accounted for ✅
I made it down for week of rivers! Got my goat and some awesome pfd’s
Ocoee
Pigeon
Cheoah
Fb9
Nanty!!
It’s definitely my new thing to do every year!!!!
You OK? great presents of mind !
Yeah buddy I knew I didn’t want to go over the center that could have been insanely bad those quick paddle strokes got me far right where still not good but better spot came away with few little scratches but totally fine
I liked the way you used your paddle to swim. Were you aiming to redirect away from a feature or trying to get to an eddy? Then you had to go through a manky narrow section and another insulting hole. It must have been a real struggle to get a breath in considering your mouth is 6” below the gopro view (which was under water A LOT). I try to practice the paddle swim periodically… never know when you may need it and it’s a bit tricky. There are a few different body/paddle positions.
Yeah buddy I have preached that a lot actually you can use your paddle after coming out your boat you will be surprised how well you can move around unless your need to grab a rope or something then you should ditch everything. But I knew this was 100% a self rescue
And yes there’s one last chance eddy on the right I was going for I knew the center and far left of the bottom drop could be fatal at this level so do not go there so hopes was to get to the eddy or at least far river right which still has metal broken oracle and a bad sieve over there but maybe can jump and avoid the bottom that’s the point where I dropped the paddle and was trying to get up on the rock but was way to slippery and was like oh shit I’m going to drop into this rock jumble gap but was actually remembered thinking like dam glad I’m not center or left
So pushed off slightly to keep from going in the sieve and flush right over and when I went over that last bit I was like oh dam I survived now swim like a fish to grab whatever and luckily a still ring was there to grab I think was a combination of knowledge instinct and luck that saved me and my gear this day
@@WadeHarrison ya know, describing your thought process is really helpful. Most paddlers scouting a section on a PFD are talking best lines and boofs. I'm thinkin' obstacle avoidance, swim strategy, most likely savior and how far downstream I gotta walk for the yard sale. Serious though, deciding to run or portage, unless you got safety set, assume self-rescue. Whatcha gonna do when the swim comes for you!
@@macfawlty exactly
That looked like a scary swim to me
Yeah was not fun
That didn't look fun. Glad you're safe! Hope you managed to find your boat and paddle!
Yeah all good and because held on to the paddle it went right and got wedged on some trees over there the boat was about mile and some change downstream I jogged down until I found it and paddled out everything was good which is crazy at that level gear is almost always gone
@@WadeHarrison definitely! That kinda flow will take your gear to the next town! Lol Nothing sucks more than losing your shit! Swims are bad enough but losing $$$ on top of that really hurts your feelings!
What river was this? Glad you’re ok!
It’s the dries of the pigeon in North Carolina one the best around when it high like this
Glad you are good 👍🏻
Yeah it worked out ok
Glad you are okay!
Yeah buddy all good
I like how I would be near death or dead, and you're just all giving a thumbs up like it was a silly lil thang lol
Hahha yup 👍
What river was this on?
It’s the dries of the pigeon in western North Carolina
@@WadeHarrison That’s what I thought! I would not want to be swimming in there! Glad you’re okay!
@@connorcoultas9629 hell no not at this rapid the worst spot long and dangerous with undercuts and holes all over
Wow buddy I'm glad your ok that was brutal 😳
Yeah was little nervous when missed the top eddy and knew I was going to drop in that gap but got lucky
This video scares the crap out of me. I don't think a lot of people realize how much your mouth and nose were underwater in this clip. I've never had a swim this violent, but I've had a few that scared me and beat me up pretty bad. I also use my paddle to swim and it does seem to really help. Thanks for showing that as it seems a lot of the commenters have never tried it. Be careful out there.
Definitely not a good place to be out the kayak
Chin up, pard.
🥷
That's a swim to be proud of. Pain is weakness leaving the body. Man points+1.
😂 oh yeah
Your single word when you got out summed it up! That looked like a pretty horrific swim.
Looked worse then it was
tsssss...beater!
Yup
@@WadeHarrison :)
Well that water looks wet.
Slightly
Wow. It looked like you were stuck in the hole and bailed to get out. Is that why you swam?
Actually yes I was getting gassed way to fast and was like pull the skirt let water in and should blast me out but when I window shaded it blasted my ass right out the boat and immediately I knew that was a bad idea get ready because this is a long rapid
That is hard to watch. Very grateful it ended well.
Yeah not the ideal way to run the longest stoutest rapid there and I knew that right side has a bad sieve and was like oh know I’m going in there surprisingly got lucky over there
Rowdy!
Yes it was
A Doctor X (DRX) would have fixed that poblem with that "BOOF"...:)
😂 I took no strokes I was floating around this day