First Descent of the Betsiamites River (Entry #29 Short Film of the Year Awards)

The Betsiamites River, the first descent of a dried-out gem. Dammed in 1956 (and dry most of the time), Hydro Quebec, the power company in charge of the dam, had to release water in early 2018 due to the maintenance of the whole system. The Betsiamites river would be a world-class section of whitewater with a natural flow. It is one of our greatest finds, and it is such a shame that we might never paddle this gem again. This river would be a world-class section of whitewater with a natural flow. These images were captured during the first three descents of the gorge.
Images: Emerick Blanchette/ Mike Roy
Edit: Emerick Blanchette/ Quebec Connection

[@ronblume3071]

Words cannot describe the awe I feel for people capable of surviving such wild water let alone flourishing & dancing amongst it 👏👏👏

[@whitewater-video]

In the cold!

[@googlesuckscock6538]

Jesus the kayaker surfing that monstrosity of a wave at the end... that was so gnarly. Sweet river, gorgeous takes

[@neurofire]

i suppose it goes without saying - Eskimo rolls top the 'can do' list. These guys are Brilliant - Fearless - Skilled nut jobs, but I reckon every inch, submerged rock and flow pattern has been taken into account. Ya just don't jump in that river and hope for the best. Beautifully shot and edited. Thankyou for a superb video.

[@alexanderdepue9423]

Damn that was stout! The boof at ,4:11, holding it over the wave and down the drop was sick. That's some big pushy water

[@bastiencharpentier]

Meilleur vidéo de kayak session tv rivière de ouf très bon Kayakiste jolie plan 👌

[@robertalexander2141]

Brilliant videography and obviously very rare footage. The last movement showcased tremendous skills in the face of some extraordinarily powerful hydraulics. Très bien fait!

[@natcalverley4344]

Absolutely amazing footage of incredibly skilled individual’s. Truly humbling to watch.

[@markschuette3770]

great photography!

[@deathanglewhitewater]

who were the paddlers they deserve some credit

[@123heek123]

Those are the guys from "quebec connexion" they have a tv show now... truly impressive stuff

[@DanMenten]

Thank you for showcasing this amazing piece of whitewater! Great edit, backstory and paddling. Gets my vote

[@beatrisathetrailscout2892]

This should be a training video for how to do big water right! Amazing video!

[@beatrisathetrailscout2892]

I would have died at least 5x over.

[@peterguitarhowitt268]

🇨🇦 Those guys have big balls to kayak down that river. I am thinking expert level.

[@mikegass2272]

I flat water yak& I know I'd be dead in the first quarter/ half mile. Hats off to those guys.

[@bene1327]

New favourite kayak video!

[@gregorschmidt5316]

Wow, such an amazing river an very good kayakers!

[@juliocesarayala4236]

Muy buenos rápidos. Me recuerda las grandes emociones en el río. 😜😜

[@amazingplaces7557]

VIDEO VERY ENTERTAINING LOVE IT 👍👍👍

[@Thomas-om5nw]

Juste in-croy--able O.o

[@atilamartinelli7277]

Aqui do Brasil curtindo este vídeo Top... Parabéns a todos...

[@draven3838]

Oh ya ,sick ride there ,great job

[@clarkfox7961]

Cracking camera work ,And great kayaking

[@lucjarry6145]

Bien les gars continuè. encore et encore des videos

[@plsstopusingmyname]

beauty in making! the rock around the waters, the contracting natural environment. in terms of the athletes, waw, talk about risk takers. bravo! they made my life sounded so, useless.

[@pumby78]

Effectivement c 'est la meilleur vidéo que j'ai pus vouère jusqu'à praésent :) de Kayak Tabarouet lol

[@danielassmann8710]

Absolutely brilliant.

[@soleary0339]

Beautiful. Great job.

[@roverporter2434]

Brings back fond memories. Thank you.:-)

[@K_agent]

nice video and good choice for the song !!!!!!!!

[@user-yp7yz2bd8y]

belle rivière belles images Top kayakistes !! Merci ~c°>

[@bernardoevo]

Beautiful

[@ВиталийПуртов-х7ъ]

Очень хороший ролик! Прохождение припятствий показоно ОТЛИЧНО!👍‼️Особенно последнего 4:10

[@saint5203]

effing badass! wow thats big water

[@aportia9330]

Just... Waooohhhhh !

[@Clif_Brown]

Spectacular!

[@judgetk8327]

That is an awesome set of rapids and it makes me think of the time I went down the Chilliwack River in BC. I'm sure you are aware of them. Great video guys. Oh did I mention how cold the water is there? After a thaw from the mountain glacier, it is fast and cold.

[@apolon92s]

Amazing

[@Michael65429]

I thought the thing at Oceana was big but "That Thing" at 4:30 was ridiculously huge!

[@porkdogx]

That was big water, hot boating. WOW

[@johnsy59]

Sick water, sick paddling 😎 Can someone tell me what music track/artist that was?

[@stephaniesmith7317]

Absolute INSANITY!!! *kayaker @4:30 Whoa Bubba ride that like it's the thing to do!!!

[@jonathanlangevin3464]

If this doesnt win...

[@erikjpendleton]

Hell yeah guys, that was SICK! Keep up the steaze, BRAAAAAP

[@Killemgrillem00]

Big WOW ...Power..

[@izzyplusplusplus1004]

This one is the winner.

[@Mhdogman]

Nice

[@CaptFomo]

epic video

[@whaleshrimp111]

Wow from the old guy!

[@bwylie01]

That bull riding at 4:25!

[@insolentstickleback3266]

Epic.

[@ariadipati4896]

LOVE NATURE :*

[@kayakboy6748]

Most videos I watch I think the water is in my comfort zone. NOT THIS, holy smokes that looked fun.

[@gorp27]

Fast moving water like that scares the shit out of me.

[@kayakkootenaybc]

This better win

[@maximiliensimard8816]

Wow dechainé

[@jagajaga9623]

Respect from Russia!

[@lboggan417]

Music to paddle by. (Who is it?)

[@emilgobin6085]

Du bon gros volume ! 😨

[@jackbeadel9803]

So sick, so stout

[@benbox7329]

Wow

[@mikegaskin5542]

Can anyone point out on a map where this footage was taken?

[@ludovicgravel1672]

Are you a kayakist that want to do the river?

[@cyriaquesorin294]

AMAZING :O

[@starringchristopher]

whoa....

[@yevhenii_iv]

So pushy...🔥🔥🔥

[@TheAndyb505]

Stout! 👍👍👍

[@kaoote]

Watch @4:25 Looks ridiculous, the kayaker makes it look like a freestyle event.

[@hosehose9989]

Do fckng strong!

[@jaro7798]

MAMAMIIIAAA - R*E*S*P*E*K*T - PEACE

[@hankslywetfoot7817]

Gnarly

[@williamhollman3744]

I watched a dozen 3yr olds at day care hit that same line in their water wings. They were a little cleaner than you guys but good job anyway

[@matthewgough9533]

4:26 Just gonna pop it in reverse for a second.

[@Adventureinnature]

воу!

[@powellriver100]

Insane glory seekers!

[@hagendf]

Raging - How the river should be.

[@sebloops5460]

Et vive les barrages

[@LJAlaska]

Paddle board do-able!?!?

[@matthewwood110]

i woulda been there, but i had to return some videos.

[@kielerjim]

Flipping nar!

[@guybryan-brown1459]

Ici londres

[@larrywensil7384]

1st place

[@bipolatelly9806]

Juicy Castreau fans....?

[@earllawrence560]

First nations music would have been appropriate ,.sic action great river.

[@craigturner6335]

No

[@teop7887]

Awesome footage, horrific music.

[@ScottWConvid19]

Footage was good. Music sucks

[@FlippinKayaks]

Opinions 🤷‍♂️

[@ScottWConvid19]

@@FlippinKayaks indeed. I'm not alone, either 👍🏼

[@FlippinKayaks]

Yeah, there are always more people who share any given opinion lol

[@linguinepast3743]

I like it

[@bilbobaggans8398]

I like the music as well, adds s different and fitting sound to it

[@Hithere-ek4qt]

Music choice was a bit poor. Too repetitie

[@droditisnj]

wow