7-Days Kayaking Down the Petawawa River | Special Director's Cut

[@datapro007]

Hi Ken, I just finished watching your video end-to-end. It did take me several days, a few minutes at a time. As a long-time kayak tripper, I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed your in-depth insights. I think this format is excellent for folks that want more than a cursory view. I can only imagine how much work you put in to produce the video. Many thanks.

[@KenWhitingAdventures]

Don't blame you... it's a LOT to take in all at once. I had to edit the video the same way... in small chunks. Cheers!

[@r.c.drummrboy2899]

I’m really enjoying this video on my tv…puts me right in the action. On a par with Bill Mason’s videos from 40 years ago.

[@KenWhitingAdventures]

Thanks!

[@StumpyPaddler]

You are such an inspiration. I just recently had my leg amputated and this last summer I just got back on the water and watching your videos gave me the motivation to do so. Not just that I also filmed my experience with lots of tips from your instructional videos. I am hoping to move to S.S.Marie area soon and I really want to follow your adventures. I just love what you do. Keep it up!

[@KenWhitingAdventures]

That's amazing to hear! I'm actually working on a video about 'How to film your paddling adventure', and so stay tuned for that one. Likely won't release until the spring though. Enjoy SS Marie! So many great places to explore from there...

[@tranquility9325]

I'm sorry to hear about your amputation. However, it sounds to me like you have unshakable determination to do what you enjoy, and that's amazing.

[@ryanfox2488]

Loved this! The extra info about the trip was awesome! More please!

[@KenWhitingAdventures]

Glad to hear it Ryan!

[@robertblack8334]

Yes really enjoyed that. The director cut idea is great. It helps as you explain why you are doing certain things. Good job. My hats off to you ,having the confidence to be out there alone having a real adventure.

[@KenWhitingAdventures]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@RobertKueker]

I like the format…

[@KenWhitingAdventures]

Cheers!

[@robynlay3917]

I saw the other videos but loved this one. Thank you again for sharing. I wish I could go there but no whitewater for me for now..lol.. I am living vicariously thru you! I have a request for a video topic. Maybe explain your paddle strokes sometimes and why you do them. I notice you dragging the paddle sometimes and I know there is a good reason. I just don't know what it is. Yes. I'm a beginner..lol. Been loving flat water kayaking since I think July or August.

[@KenWhitingAdventures]

Glad you enjoyed it! Good idea on the paddle strokes tips. I'll think about that one...

[@flt528]

Excellent video, super interesting commentary, and wonderful trip Ken! Thanks for making this and sharing. I enjoyed the entire thing.

[@KenWhitingAdventures]

My pleasure!

[@Simon_W74]

Very enjoyable way to watch the whole trip in one video and with the bonus of your insights that you added in along with your explanations on the water or looking at a section of water and weather it was safe to solo that section. Only tried Whate Water once and in the wrong boat. Will try it again in the future,but in the correct boat for the conditions. Oh and more skill to deal with it.

[@KenWhitingAdventures]

Ha! Yeah, paddling whitewater in the wrong boat is a lesson you only need to learn once, isn't it? :)

[@Simon_W74]

@ yep. Especially when you’re told that it’s a grade one/two. Then you have massive downpours and the river is then in flood. I am just glade I took a Dagger Stratos 14.5L rather than my own Wave Sport Hydra that isn’t very manoeuvrable as it has very little rocker. My new Scorpio HV is a dream to manoeuvre. Just need to sort the seat out to make it as comfortable at the Hydra.

[@byopp100]

Thank you for sharing your adventure and providing some behind the scenes looks. Glad to hear that your shoulder is getting better.

[@KenWhitingAdventures]

Cheers!

[@THE-RIVER-RAT]

Well Ken two cups of coffee a packet of biscuit and two and a half hours later and I thoroughly enjoyed watching this again. It was so interesting with your commentary I particularly enjoyed the parts where you were telling people about what you would run what you wouldn't run and what you would run if you had somebody with you. I have to say I agree with you 100% about paddling alone so you really don't know what's coming next which makes the adventure even more exciting. However some rivers you can paddle a thousand times and you always see something new. You should do more of these videos with even more commentary. 👍👍

[@KenWhitingAdventures]

Ha! I'm glad it only took two cups of coffee to stay awake for it :) Great to hear you enjoyed it again George. I enjoyed watching it again while I was making this version. :)

[@neilmartin8143]

Really inspiring, makes my wife and I want to get back out paddling. Happy to hear you shoulder is on the mend

[@KenWhitingAdventures]

Maybe we'll see you out there one day!

[@NovaScotiakayaker]

Yeah welcome back

[@KenWhitingAdventures]

Thanks! Now it's time to get back in a boat! Just got the thumbs up from physio, but also just 4cm snow. :)

[@NovaScotiakayaker]

It's been raining here for a month ​@@KenWhitingAdventures

[@intrnst]

As already said, beautiful footage. And answering your questions: more long videos, more director's cut. I think you manage to put a good balance between the footage, "let it run", and meaningful infos -- options and decisions (what, why and how). Thank you.

[@KenWhitingAdventures]

Thanks for the feedback!

[@beckynankivell8639]

I watched the previous set of videos before I went on a September whitewater rafting trip on the Green River in Colorado & Utah, which I mostly did in a tandem or solo inflatable kayak (a much more forgiving craft, of course!). It was really useful preparation to follow along as you chose your lines. And I also really found your "no need to paddle hard into that next rock you're trying to miss" approach to feel right -- I was paddling stern in the tandem and I definitely passed that word to my bow paddlers. 🙂 Thanks for taking us along on this beautiful river and providing the additional commentary as well.

[@KenWhitingAdventures]

Great to hear the 'stop paddling' tip was helpful. I'm jealous of your trip down the Green River. It's been on my list for a while. Cheers!

[@GerardRosso]

Loved and I would love to see more.

[@KenWhitingAdventures]

Thanks Gerard!

[@TheNcs126]

Great video! The petawawa has been on my bucket list but you may have moved it up a few spots.

[@KenWhitingAdventures]

:). You might see me on the river when you go. This is a trip you can do again and again...

[@Big_Renfrew]

I like the director cut. Do one for Superior too.

[@michellemccurdy3062]

Thank you for this great video !! I have to ask what the tortilla/bread you keep eating. Looks so good for camping! It’s winter here in Colorado . These are inspiring!!!!

[@GerardRosso]

What backup paddle do you use, I checked out your great video but didn't see it.

[@KenWhitingAdventures]

I had an Aquabound 4-piece manta ray paddle stowed inside the stern of the kayak. Fortunately, I never had to pull out.

[@GerardRosso]

@@KenWhitingAdventures I like to be ready for everything and that's the one thing I don't have a backup for.

[@dc9mm2]

How in the world did you get all that gear into a XP10. Did you stuff some dry bags in front past your feet? It looks like you have as much gear as I get in my Tiderace Pace tour 17. lol.

[@KenWhitingAdventures]

Ha! Yes. I had the front of the kayak filled with dry bags as well. It was my lighter stuff (sleeping pad, camp chair, camp shoes, etc...)

[@datapro007]

Such a great video Ken, thanks. My buddy has a Jackson Karma RG. It's a couple of feet longer than your boat. Would it make life easier for this kind of trip?

[@KenWhitingAdventures]

I'm dying for a whitewater tripping kayak with that extra length. The XP10 was nice, but I would have preferred another 1-2 feet in length... and a few other changes too. I haven't found the ideal whitewater tripping kayak yet. In fact, I don't think it exists yet. Hopefully it does soon!

[@wildernesscanoeassociation]

I gotta say that, mostly I just wanted to find out what you did at Crooked Chute and The Temptations.

[@KenWhitingAdventures]

:). Understandable. Two great sections of whitewater. The Temptations in particular... that's one of the most beautiful sections of whitewater in the world.

[@datapro007]

What year was this filmed?

[@KenWhitingAdventures]

This was June, 2024.

[@jerrys576]

Aqua-Bond- Best paddle money can buy. My Mata-Ray fiberglass reinforced ABX. That paddle has gotten me into & out of place where no kayak has been.6yrs! Scratched,discolored & nicked. I would never part with it.