Cheoah River || My First Descent

My personal first descent (PFD) of Cheoah river.
9.1 miles of Southeastern glory. This southern classic has a reputation for pushing paddlers to their limits… I found some of mine that day.
In the midst of beautiful, mountainous landscapes and rolling fog I found my true self. Cheoah strips away everything you think about your skills and your progression, revealing only what you really are. She let me know what my flaws and weaknesses are, the things I must work on at this next level.
Undoubtedly, this was the greatest humbling experience I've ever had on the water. From running Bear Creek Falls upside down, to rolling again in West Prong and Tapoco Rapid (both in manky chet). My will and desire were in full display. Sometimes, it isn't easy to get beat up and keep going. When you get slammed really hard and not sure whether you have the strength to keep going… When you question whether to push forward… and you dig down… you find that courage… and you keep fighting… you keep going… That's what Cheoah provided me.
I'm grateful for this river. I'm grateful for the amazing people that showed me down, and I'm grateful to share these experiences.
Big Thanks to Matthew Pratt for guiding my PFD! 🙏🏼
Big Thanks to Austin Luffman, Dylan Lytle, and Edson Huitrado for helping! 🙏🏼
🎼Intro ~ KellyValleau
• Get Lucky (2022) - Daf...
#SchaeferYaks #astral #immersionresearch #sweetprotection #nrs #jacksonkayaks #kayak #kayaking #kayaklife #whitewaterkayaking

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Talk about a tough spot to miss an eddy! Way to turn and burn! There is that moment when your plan falls apart and you have to do something... you went full send...Love it!. Just grab that flare boof to keep you on top of the suds and you will clean that thing next time! Hate your hurt your thumb...but that will add the the amazing story later!!! Congrats Ben!!

[@SchaeferYaks]

Yeah, Cheoah definitely tested my will to go forward. I plan on going back for sure. It was awesome seeing you out there! Thank you so much for the kind words, advice, and all you do for our community. You're an inspiration! 🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽

[@followingrj]

💪💪💪

[@SchaeferYaks]

🤙🏽🤙🏽🤙🏽

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Love the hugs...a team of friends...THAT is what it is all about!!

[@SchaeferYaks]

I don't think I could've pushed forward and made this run without them. All their support and beta gave me that extra something

[@RiverKingsKayak]

@@SchaeferYaks yes sir!!!!

[@IE_Tiger]

Stoked run man. Love that Nirvana!

[@SchaeferYaks]

Thanks for watching! The Nirvana is definitely my favorite. 🤙🏽

[@brianluisi7616]

I love the mental narration, running iv-v, more guys need to talk about what they see and feel, thanks

[@SchaeferYaks]

Thanks! Especially for me, anxiety is a big factor. I use everything I can to help. 🤙🏽

[@jetlag410]

Great vid! Thanks for posting. Nice run and beta from your buddy.

[@SchaeferYaks]

Thank you dude! 🙏🏼 Yeah, Matt really is an amazing guide. He made it easy on me. 💯

[@macfawlty]

Thanks for doing a nice long cut of the Cheoah. Well worth watching the whole thing. Contrasting River King Pete and a few others, you managed to avoid pins and swims. I’d love to do the Cheoah when I graduate from Beaterville U.

[@SchaeferYaks]

Thanks for watching! 🙏🏼 I did my fair share of beatering. 🤣

[@macfawlty]

@@SchaeferYaks you had a great river guide. Awesome leader.

[@justin_other_kayaker]

Respect to MP he was giving good beta.

[@SchaeferYaks]

Yes he was. He certainly made it much easier on me. He's a great guide 🙌🏽

[@trifilmer]

As a filmmaker, I loved it. After watching it, I'm exhausted! Congrats on the PFD! You pushed yourself - hard. Many thanks for making this!

[@SchaeferYaks]

Thank you so much! It was very challenging and rewarding. I'll have to watch some of your stuff! 🤙🏽🤙🏽🤙🏽

[@shannonmink7488]

Wow, super intense! Great video bro. And you have MUCH to be proud of!! An accomplishment to say the least.

[@SchaeferYaks]

Thank you so much! 🙏🏼

[@lou36heron87]

good footage and paddling, that's a great river

[@SchaeferYaks]

Thank you for watching! 🙏🏼 Definitely an amazing river. 💯

[@MrErikWilliams]

Love the big gnarly! its impressive when a river can make a nirvana look small!

[@SchaeferYaks]

Thank you dude! Been loving your edits 🤙🏽

[@KingstonKayakClub]

Looks a great river, well paddled. 👍

[@SchaeferYaks]

Thank you so much! 🙏🏼

[@pilotjt]

Sick edit dude! That’s an intense run. Congratulations on the PFD and sticking with it after four combat rolls!

[@SchaeferYaks]

Thank you my dude! 🙏🏼 I can't wait to go back and clean it up 🤙🏽

[@vivekvarmas]

Love it bro !!!

[@SchaeferYaks]

Thank you sir! 🙏🏼

[@brandonmiller5818]

Hell yeah bro killing it !!!!!! 🔥

[@SchaeferYaks]

Thank you my good sir! 🙏🏼

[@brandonmiller5818]

@@SchaeferYaks no no no thank you for making such dope boating videos!!!!

[@SchaeferYaks]

@@brandonmiller5818 🥲🙏🏼

[@jasonwalker7166]

That was intense…. Did you say you broke your thumb? Those combat rolls were badass.

[@SchaeferYaks]

Thank you dude! 🙏🏼 Yeah, that roll at Tapoco Rapid right before the lodge got me pretty bad. I slammed into a rock going into set up position.

[@justin_other_kayaker]

27:35 that’s what she said

[@SchaeferYaks]

🤣🤣🤣

[@edsonjavier5243]

Nice

[@SchaeferYaks]

Thank you my dude! 🙏🏼

[@edsonjavier5243]

1st like

[@davidsiekkinen2705]

27:45 #beatersupreme ❤️

[@SchaeferYaks]

💯💯💯🤣