Ocoee River Rafting Action High Water Middle Ocoee Action and Carnage at Grumpy's Ledge

[@ShannonCoty]

I just went rafting at the Kern River and now I can't stop watching these videos 🤣

[@FastFredRuddock]

Come visit me in the south east. Lots of fun whitewater. I spend winters chasing endless summers in South America.

[@emilyedwards6167]

I could watch these all day 😂 the commentary is the best! I did this run about 6 years ago w/o a hitch but we had a fantastic guide. If I had seen these videos beforehand I may not have done it haha

[@sanansa4567]

5:00 "Don't Forget to Tip Your Guide, We Work For Gratuities"... You should ask for the tip before the trip begins...just tell them it will impact the lines you take. LOL

[@FastFredRuddock]

LMAO! I have been tipped at the put-in at the beginning of the trip several times. I think that ads stoke to the guides mental attitude. Makes you want to go the extra mile for them.

[@redshifteightpoint6]

"The river gods were not appeased!!!" - LOL

[@sivayamsiva9343]

Really great, thrilling experience, please take care 👍

[@waltrobinson407]

Killer footage, killer commentary Fast Fred.... we'll be down there soon!

[@besteversaw]

I had my PDF on the middle ocoee in a kayak during paddle school the other weekend. My biggest water yet but lots of fun I saw you a few times out there.

[@FastFredRuddock]

besteversaw, looking forward to seeing you out there. I plan to private boat tomorrow; you are welcome to join the run.

[@flanee25]

Hey Fred. I watch your videos religiously and love your commentary. Just subscribed which i haven't done in a long time. been dealing with chronic pain for a few yrs now and its been tough especially without a diagnosis. But, maynnn, your commenting along with the carnage have really made me genuinely laugh & smile in a long time. love whitewater rafting, only have done it 3 times (all in the smokies), but am looking forward to coming there and rafting with you. Much Love from Florida! Keep doing what you're doing

[@mightyhiker7865]

Your videos have put the ocoee on next year's trip list for sure.

[@FastFredRuddock]

Right on! If you would like to come rafting with me visit fastfreds.com/raft for details.

[@mightyhiker7865]

Awesome. Me and my four sons are kayakers but I do love the videos.

[@willgarcia83]

Great stuff Fred!!!

[@FastFredRuddock]

willgarcia83 thank you for the kind words.

[@sijosijo8280]

VERY GOOD

[@FastFredRuddock]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@ezymus234]

Awesome commentary

[@GoProMotions]

Fred your commentary is awesome and the footage is epic. Keep these videos coming!

[@FastFredRuddock]

Thank you for the kind words! I try to make videos whenever I am moved and have time.

[@lucywitt1972]

I tipped my guide !

[@Adamtfrank]

That warmer water makes all the difference . Come do that in colorado 😂

[@FastFredRuddock]

It could happen. Ecuador is like Colorado on steroids however.

[@sijosijo8280]

GOOD

[@FastFredRuddock]

I am glad you liked this video.

[@Murdant]

What happens to all those paddles that end up in the water?

[@FastFredRuddock]

Murdant, the paddles generally come to rest in the brush and rocks river right of Roach Motel.

[@lucywitt1972]

That was good , didn't see our raft but still real entertaining. Anything from 6/10/2017?

[@FastFredRuddock]

I was busy working trips most of the 10th.

[@lucywitt1972]

Darn !!! Oh well . I wondered how I even got out of that hole , 3 rocks licked my Butt

[@jtsarby]

We did the upper and middle this year. I am addicted. Next time I want to watch from the rocks near Godzilla and Humongous. Just curious as to why they call the next section roach motel?

[@FastFredRuddock]

My friend Rick Covington name Roach Motel during a run at flood level many years ago. Raid had a tv commercial back in the day. Punchline is "Roches check in but they don't check out." The product was called Roach Motel.

[@Daruma_Studio]

Also, how many paddles are left in that river? Are they collected downstream?

[@FastFredRuddock]

It is not uncommon to see paddles lost at the two big holes on the Upper Ocoee. Most paddles and lost gear collects river right of Roach Motel. Guides occasionally collect the lost paddles.

[@Daruma_Studio]

Why do so many people have life jackets on but look like they have never seen water before? They look like they can barely keep their heads above water. Is there something Im missing? Undercurrents or pulls?

[@FastFredRuddock]

Some people foolishly loosen their PFD - personal flotation device after the guide checks them. Others can't swim. Additionally the frothy backwash of a hole or hydraulic is not very dense hence it is hard to float to the top.

[@Daruma_Studio]

@@FastFredRuddock Great information thank you for clearing that up

[@FastFredRuddock]

@@Daruma_Studio it is not wise for non-swimmers to attempt paddling class IV and above.

[@olingecko]

Man, when was the surge? I clearly missed some fun.

[@FastFredRuddock]

It happens when the upper shuts off. Or when conditions change.

[@mattstratton3481]

6:52.. Grumpy's?

[@FastFredRuddock]

High water day at Grumpy's. About 3k CFS near the upper limit for commercial rafting.

[@willhoskins1311]

What's green water

[@FastFredRuddock]

Green water is the stronger current going downstream! The foam is often running back upstream and not helpful for escaping holes. Experienced guides know!

[@stephenedwards5567]

@@FastFredRuddock the 2 thwart trib raft - why don't Outfitters run them as high adventure trips?

[@FastFredRuddock]

@@stephenedwards5567 Good question. Could be a micro-economics driven decision. Regulations require the raft to be at least 11' feet long and 5' wide. Here is a link publications.tnsosfiles.com/rules/0400/0400-02/0400-02-10.20100912.pdf

[@Lea99Jones]

Do any of the "tourist" boats NOT flip?

[@Lea99Jones]

Somebody's paddling.

[@FastFredRuddock]

Less than 1% flip. This is the NASCAR cut

[@keldaris8625]

I wanna run this on an inner tube... would be fun as hell.

[@FastFredRuddock]

You will need to be sneaky, well prepared, and quick. The rangers will confront tubers as soon as possible. Safety gear is required on the river and fines are possible. I have seen a few rapids tubed on the Ocoee by experienced kayakers.

[@FastFredRuddock]

Consider this annual event it might be your thing too kzbin.info/www/bejne/lXPSk6lvotWrp5I

[@Lea99Jones]

Bali surfing vid are more relaxing.

[@FastFredRuddock]

This video is about adventure not a relaxing video.

[@Lea99Jones]

@@FastFredRuddock Seems to me it's more about carnage and ineptitude, which is why I watched 20 minutes' worth! As a former ww kayak instructor, I can only take so much "adventure" like this.

[@FastFredRuddock]

@@Lea99Jones well training has improved greatly since these videos were shot. So many owners and river managers aren't on the river to see what's going on... Until a light is shined upon it

[@jpmcmullan8666]

We work for gratuities!!!

[@FastFredRuddock]

Truth we river guides work for gratuities. What little the company pays us is for the handling and care of the equipment. More senior guides are expected to inspect the rafts and equipment and the loading of the busses. This is especially true in the Southeast. It's a dog eat dog world; we rely upon the generosity of our guests. I typically just barely exceed the federal poverty level each year. Thankfully I spend most of my year wandering in Latin America where the cost of living is much lower.

[@FastFredRuddock]

¡Guías del ríos necesitan propinas!