I just went rafting at the Kern River and now I can't stop watching these videos 🤣
@FastFredRuddock2 жыл бұрын
Come visit me in the south east. Lots of fun whitewater. I spend winters chasing endless summers in South America.
@emilyedwards61677 жыл бұрын
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
@sanansa45675 жыл бұрын
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
@FastFredRuddock5 жыл бұрын
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.
@redshifteightpoint64 жыл бұрын
"The river gods were not appeased!!!" - LOL
@sivayamsiva9343 Жыл бұрын
Really great, thrilling experience, please take care 👍
@waltrobinson4077 жыл бұрын
Killer footage, killer commentary Fast Fred.... we'll be down there soon!
@besteversaw7 жыл бұрын
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.
@FastFredRuddock7 жыл бұрын
besteversaw, looking forward to seeing you out there. I plan to private boat tomorrow; you are welcome to join the run.
@flanee257 жыл бұрын
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
@mightyhiker78656 жыл бұрын
Your videos have put the ocoee on next year's trip list for sure.
@FastFredRuddock6 жыл бұрын
Right on! If you would like to come rafting with me visit fastfreds.com/raft for details.
@mightyhiker78656 жыл бұрын
Awesome. Me and my four sons are kayakers but I do love the videos.
@willgarcia837 жыл бұрын
Great stuff Fred!!!
@FastFredRuddock7 жыл бұрын
willgarcia83 thank you for the kind words.
@sijosijo82802 жыл бұрын
VERY GOOD
@FastFredRuddock2 жыл бұрын
Thank you! Cheers!
@ezymus2342 жыл бұрын
Awesome commentary
@GoProMotions7 жыл бұрын
Fred your commentary is awesome and the footage is epic. Keep these videos coming!
@FastFredRuddock4 ай бұрын
Thank you for the kind words! I try to make videos whenever I am moved and have time.
@lucywitt19727 жыл бұрын
I tipped my guide !
@Adamtfrank Жыл бұрын
That warmer water makes all the difference . Come do that in colorado 😂
@FastFredRuddock Жыл бұрын
It could happen. Ecuador is like Colorado on steroids however.
@sijosijo82802 жыл бұрын
GOOD
@FastFredRuddock2 жыл бұрын
I am glad you liked this video.
@Murdant7 жыл бұрын
What happens to all those paddles that end up in the water?
@FastFredRuddock7 жыл бұрын
Murdant, the paddles generally come to rest in the brush and rocks river right of Roach Motel.
@lucywitt19727 жыл бұрын
That was good , didn't see our raft but still real entertaining. Anything from 6/10/2017?
@FastFredRuddock7 жыл бұрын
I was busy working trips most of the 10th.
@lucywitt19727 жыл бұрын
Darn !!! Oh well . I wondered how I even got out of that hole , 3 rocks licked my Butt
@jtsarby2 жыл бұрын
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?
@FastFredRuddock2 жыл бұрын
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_Studio2 жыл бұрын
Also, how many paddles are left in that river? Are they collected downstream?
@FastFredRuddock2 жыл бұрын
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_Studio2 жыл бұрын
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?
@FastFredRuddock2 жыл бұрын
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_Studio2 жыл бұрын
@@FastFredRuddock Great information thank you for clearing that up
@FastFredRuddock2 жыл бұрын
@@Daruma_Studio it is not wise for non-swimmers to attempt paddling class IV and above.
@olingecko7 жыл бұрын
Man, when was the surge? I clearly missed some fun.
@FastFredRuddock4 ай бұрын
It happens when the upper shuts off. Or when conditions change.
@mattstratton3481 Жыл бұрын
6:52.. Grumpy's?
@FastFredRuddock Жыл бұрын
High water day at Grumpy's. About 3k CFS near the upper limit for commercial rafting.
@willhoskins13117 жыл бұрын
What's green water
@FastFredRuddock7 жыл бұрын
Green water is the stronger current going downstream! The foam is often running back upstream and not helpful for escaping holes. Experienced guides know!
@stephenedwards55673 жыл бұрын
@@FastFredRuddock the 2 thwart trib raft - why don't Outfitters run them as high adventure trips?
@FastFredRuddock3 жыл бұрын
@@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
@Lea99Jones2 жыл бұрын
Do any of the "tourist" boats NOT flip?
@Lea99Jones2 жыл бұрын
Somebody's paddling.
@FastFredRuddock2 жыл бұрын
Less than 1% flip. This is the NASCAR cut
@keldaris86252 жыл бұрын
I wanna run this on an inner tube... would be fun as hell.
@FastFredRuddock2 жыл бұрын
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.
@FastFredRuddock2 жыл бұрын
Consider this annual event it might be your thing too kzbin.info/www/bejne/lXPSk6lvotWrp5I
@Lea99Jones2 жыл бұрын
Bali surfing vid are more relaxing.
@FastFredRuddock2 жыл бұрын
This video is about adventure not a relaxing video.
@Lea99Jones2 жыл бұрын
@@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.
@FastFredRuddock2 жыл бұрын
@@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
@jpmcmullan86665 ай бұрын
We work for gratuities!!!
@FastFredRuddock5 ай бұрын
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.