I Survived a Deadly River in a Duct Tape Boat!

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Music from Epidemic Sound
DISCLAIMER: DO NOT ATTEMPT. We ran an extremely popular, commercially-run section of river, had all the required safety gear, met guides on the water, AND consulted with whitewater experts to plan a route we could take at multiple different water levels IN ADVANCE of our attempt.
Safety might not look sexy on camera, but off-camera I take it extremely seriously - if at any point the boat or river became too dangerous to continue, we would have stopped and we were all prepared to hike the 7 miles to the pull-out at the end of the river.
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SPOILERS AHEAD (read after watching):
Further explanation and FAQ:
Why didn't you plan to take a guide with you?
We tried. For a variety of reasons, it didn't work out -- and if we had determined that a guide was necessary for safety, we would not have run this river.
Instead, we handled safety ourselves, as I do for most every video. Here's how:
- My brother and I had already run this exact stretch of river several times each prior to this with a guide, and we've also run multiple other rivers. We're not experts, but we're experienced -- and we know this particular river quite well.
- We consulted with a number of raft guides and expert whitewater kayakers from outside WV about safety, reading the water, planning and running lines, etc. When we asked, based on our level of experience, if we could run this river safely in this boat -- they told us YES.
- We mapped out our lines for all water levels and memorized them prior to arriving at the river, AND then gave ourselves a refresher before entering the river.
- We brought all of the required safety gear including a throw bag, PFDs, helmets, etc.
- We're all confident swimmers in good physical condition.
- If anything too serious had happened to the raft, we would have stopped immediately. We were all prepared to take a 7+ mile hike in either direction, and we had enough people to make sure we'd each have a buddy.
- When we arrived at the river, we made friends with everyone in sight and let them know what we'd be doing, just so people would at least be aware that we were out there. The guides we met offered to run it with us not because they were concerned for our safety, but because they thought what we were doing was cool and they wanted to see if the boat would last. Their expertise absolutely helped, we all had a great time pulling this off together, and off-camera they even invited us to come out again for Gauley season in the fall.
WHY am I telling you all this?
I HATE fake stakes on KZbin, which is why any challenge or stunt I do on this channel is 100% real. However, with that said, I take safety VERY seriously. No matter what you see me doing in a video, know that I am 99.9% confident that I'm WALKING away at the end of the day, with no more than a scratch or bruise at worst. Doing that means managing safety in advance -- but this is KZbin, and nobody wants to hear about all the safety checks we did.
That doesn't mean the risks aren't real -- everything I do is still VERY real, and should NOT be attempted -- but it means that I'm taking known risks, and that I've made a clear plan to mitigate them.
One last fact to put your mind at ease: Out of the MILLIONS of people who've been down this river since 1980, only about 22 have actually been injured or passed away in an accident. The risk is still very real, and needs to be taken seriously (as we did), but deaths and severe injuries on the new river are quite rare, and many are simply due to people running the river without the required safety gear.
Source: www.americanwhitewater.org/co...

[@Techience]

My bad, I was the river. I will chill out next time

[@destroyyourself6089]

I was the boat, it was all my bad dw

[@MrMan2w]

I was the paddles I almost drowend

[@The-Caged-King]

I was the tape That water was beating my ass. Better hope I never see his face round here again

[@championpug6296]

i was the camera, i saw some crazy shit man

[@Useless_War]

I was the fish and everyone was laughing at them

[@Wheels-of-terror]

Nice! Reminds me of the MythBusters episodes where they made things completely out of duct tape, escaped a deserted island on a duct tape raft.

[@jkbricks455]

Or the duct tape canyon episode- it has a river raft part

[@Wheels-of-terror]

@@jkbricks455 Probably was actually that one yeah.

[@resurgam_b7]

I don't know how to feel about this video, on the one hand, you all accomplished a truly amazing feat and it was a lot of fun to watch; on the other, I was once a white water raft guide and I can say with confidence that y'all were stupid and could have died so easily so many times 😬 I'm really glad that you met and were led by professional guides because even rapids much less technical and severe than these can be extremely dangerous if you don't know what you're doing. Glad you all made it out okay, had fun and that the boat worked so well, I definitely expected that you would have to abandon the trip partway through due to damage but it looks like it worked spectacularly well.

[@starsalmon1]

yeah I completely agree, I'm not a guide, but have been rafting for years, and they could have died many times, it was scary

[@crackedtadacktle1003]

100%

[@Weisz]

Hey! I really appreciate your concern, and have seen similar concern echoed by others -- we did not do a good job highlighting the precautions we took in the video (because unfortunately, safety isn't always sexy). To help clarify, I've left detailed notes in the description which I encourage you to read. Rivers are serious business, and very worthy of respect! We knew what the risks were going in, and we planned accordingly.

[@crackedtadacktle1003]

@@Weisz That's great to hear, and I'm very glad you did that because lots of other people overlook the possible dangers. On the other hand, great video! I really enjoyed it, and I felt like I was there :)

[@resurgam_b7]

@@Weisz Thanks for the reply! I am much more at ease now that I know you weren't just jumping in the river with no preparation or knowledge 😊 May I suggest that in the future for videos as objectively dangerous as this that you make a quick comment at the end (or beginning) of the video pointing out the information that's available in the description. I think writing all the "boring" stuff down there is a good balance between expressing important information and still keeping the video entertaining, so just a quick word to direct concerned people there would be helpful. I definitely recommend that you take those guides up on their offer to run the Gauley, the outfit I worked with would take trips down there for the open season and it was awesome. You get a different trip being invited by a guide rather than being a customer. We have to babysit and coddle customers, friends get the full experience 😁

[@alex.haraus]

Such a joy to be part of this. Massive thank you to the guides for sharing their expertise to help us navigate many dangerous situations safely (as well as being phenomenal company for the day) and to Louis & Will for making a truly river-ready raft out of duct tape. Thank you so much for the invite and to everyone for watching - stay safe out there and keep chasing adventure :)

[@carlsoll]

Super! 🤘(I wasn’t part of this trip) That’s a dope Thankyou

[@Toby-Wan_Kenobi]

So duct tape doesn't just fix everything, *but can also create anything?*

[@arlynnecumberbatch1056]

Phil swift was right all along

[@warriorsabe1792]

I mean, what is creating something if not fixing something so broken it doesn't exist?

[@EGS-ty7fx]

I did this exact section of river last summer lol. The difficulty is definitely not exaggerated for the video.

[@crunchie388]

legit was getting scared while watching this, the amount of confidence you guys had in this boat going down very dangerous rapids that have killed before is staggering! Why did y'all do this? 😨

[@Weisz]

why not? jk, we have some experience in this area - more info in description

[@BazilRat]

While the raft itself is awesome, the comradery and reaction of the other rafters TO the duct tape raft make it even better.

[@gretzkyyy5645]

it's crazy to me that you successfully navigated all of that with some people who weren't that experienced on the team nvm the addition of being on a duct tape boat!! wow, what a breathtaking experience and video

[@TUKMAK]

Hahahah the stakes were so high on this one omg. Legit butt clencher, glad you did the math right lol

[@nickbrick20]

The MythBusters would be proud

[@itzketchup670]

I love how louis thinks of things like this. Awesome!

[@CheesedCheese]

Probably watched that myth busters episode

[@itzketchup670]

@@CheesedCheese Possibly

[@dapz]

one year of waiting well worth it

[@Weisz]

thank you dapz

[@DakotaTalks_]

you guys are WILD great video i’ve actually been rafting on that river i can’t imagine not being 100% sure my boat wouldn’t explode, 🙏🙏🙏

[@gregoriosantana4905]

🎉 this was one of my favorite days on the New River as a Guide. Had so much fun helping and working with Louis. Can’t wait for y’all to come up to WV and enjoy Gauley season

[@Weisz]

YES dude! Gotta come try to get out there this fall, thanks for your advice and great vibes on the river!

[@Hotwh33lz1]

I've been waiting a year for this video! So awesome to see y'all do this first hand and the coolest thing I've seen go down a river!

[@inmiseryseekrootbeer4966]

Someone needs to make a website that is just a giant list of every use of duct tape.

[@thefaulnt3562]

The list: everything

[@mcfarofinha134]

if it ain't supposed to move put is: duct tape if it's supposed to move put ain't: wd40

[@inmiseryseekrootbeer4966]

@@mcfarofinha134 your one hell of a genius I tell ya what

[@Devinthekiller]

You did it, man! What else is ductape capable of? Parachute? A dingy? Paragliding?

[@GazahSCD]

I love how out of all the engineering channels you're the one who makes either extremely over the top with mechanical prowess or silly with such high stakes. It 's such a great blend that makes for some enjoyable content.

[@Weisz]

Thank you! That means a lot :) I’m just trying to make the kind of content I want to watch

[@rpoet55]

"Ahoy! Bonk" ahh Louis, never change

[@fleckione-workinprogress4249]

Amazing to see you guys actually made it and the boat survived!

[@dankouz]

that was crazy louis i cant believe you guys did a class 5 in that duct tape boat and made it look so easy

[@RichsLife]

Bro! This is so cool! Well done!! 🔥

[@shayes.x]

Am I the only one who thought they were gonna like, put a few more layers of tape?

[@hubertanatol9446]

Amazing video Dude! Not only crazy idea but great execution! Who would think you could paddle such a river in a duct tape raft!!!

[@parkerk3599]

When you fix a leak on a raft and end up making a new one out of duct tape

[@odin6108]

This was freaking awesome!

[@WhYmEe_]

Smart but flex tape would make it invincible

[@PawRecord]

Proud of you Louis!

[@EATSxBABIES]

The spiritual successor we all wish we saw more of in the glory days of Mythbusters

[@cortez1258]

This man could build a rocket ship in his garage

[@saddlebag]

A very entertaining video, really impressive stuff!

[@TBH_Inc]

Damn, I’ve gone down that section, idk I’d want to do it in a duct tape boat and without a guide though lol. Nice job!

[@gregoriosantana4905]

They did awesome, and if you would like to come down the New River. Come to Ace Adventures and ask for Santana.

[@sandrah4358]

WHAT A DAY! Congratulations to you and the team!

[@ThunderSmell]

those water splash transitions with the 360 cam is smooth 👌

[@annemeyers2840]

DAMN I remember y'all filming this last year!! Glad this finally popped up on my feed.

[@CanadaBricks]

Look, I thought Louis riding down the river in a Minecraft boat was crazy… but this tops that by a wide margin

[@ChristineFang]

this video was so much more intense than how I imagined when you explained it to me aha.

[@user-ms5hg3gy7j]

where'd you get those tire valves? they have wide flanges at the base, and I need something like that!

[@bottomtext5872]

Try flex tape next

[@johnsherby9130]

Damn loius. That was kinda bad ass!

[@rickfordmorningstar130]

Goddamn, Louis... I'm so proud of how far you've come bromeigo. Keep up the good work and tell the WTF Nox said what up!

[@Weisz]

LOVE YOU NOX!!! You will forever be a core part of this community

[@rickfordmorningstar130]

@@Weisz Much love, brother! After work calms down, I'll be back.

[@incapacitatedtoad801]

Genuinely thought that Louis was gonna be injured since he didn’t have a Minecraft boat he could place right away. Luckily, he has more plot armor than a protagonist in a 3 season anime, congrats boys.

[@whatsthematter8767]

9:40 was the cleanest transition I've ever seen.

[@wiselioness322]

Mad science KZbin is best KZbin!

[@user-do3wf9cm4g]

Legend!!!

[@osprey1645]

There are class 6 rapids but those are for the best of the best in the right conditions and after thoroughly looking over the entire thing. Damn that was awesome!

[@Weisz]

Thank you! Class VI rapids are beyond f**ked lmao -- and they're often considered entirely un-runnable. I wouldn't touch one of those with a 20-foot-paddle, even in a proper raft!

[@osprey1645]

@Weisz yeah I am also staying planted on the ground anywhere near class 6 rapids. Seeing yall run those rapids in a duct tape boat was awesome.

[@XavierAra]

Duct tape and pit vipers my two favorite things

[@xxs1lentk1ller30]

So how did u make it stick in air

[@human.rationally]

That is sick af

[@steverude]

I love all the people in their fancy boats feeling proud of themselves with professional guides being like “oh you definitely need to be pro to do this,” and you nerds roll through with duct tape and bailing wire yelling “Yee haw.”

[@ofenkartoffeI]

"Hes better than me at everything, except math" sounds like foreshadowing

[@goodbyeworldproductions]

when is the louis weisz movie coming out?

[@RealAndySkibba]

This is awesome!

[@TitanTubs]

Legendary Voyage

[@ro-ce8vg]

the algorithm did not favor this video, shame. usually I see all of your videos in my home feed when they come out, but I only found this one looking you up

[@Weisz]

Thanks for looking! Glad you found it anyway, I’m super proud of this one :)

[@bmxeronoffroad]

I LOve rafting there! Its the 2nd oldest river in the world!

[@Weisz]

Every raft guide’s favorite fact - “y’know, it’s the NEW river, but AcTuAlLy it’s the second OLDEST” lmao

[@mysher2bee]

So duct tape can do this but it cant fix a chair leg?

[@blvdes]

get him on trending

[@StellarLimpkin]

Dang I miss that place

[@somelaser5906]

Man, the compression algorithm did you dirty on this one

[@allanjohnkemp]

Do you think that KZbin tanked this video because of safety concerns? Really well made but miniscule views.

[@ArtemisAvali]

What's the song at the end of the vid?

[@gregoriosantana4905]

Maybe make a part 2 showing us guides in it. And add some bloopers ?

[@MrDapperGent]

Fascinating

[@x9x9x9x9x9]

That river is wild. I have gone rafting a couple of times but the 2 places I have been there are like 2 rapids every like 4000 feet and they are all like grade 3 or whatever. Seeing a river where there are rapids every 100 feet with water moving that fast is cool. I would love to do that. But I have always preferred kayaking over rafting probably because of trust issues or something. I like being in control of my own boat also on the rivers I have done the vast majority of it is just relaxing and having the leg room of a kayak is nice. So a duct tape and corrugated plastic board (coroplast) kayak might be cool.

[@TheLonelyGamer_17]

*_“Flex Tape is so strong, it even works underwater”_*

[@justinlobaugh1369]

Where is the Mt Evans video?

[@capnbug]

Dapz jumpscare. If u didn't tell me it was him, I would've exploded from his power

[@crackedtadacktle1003]

history being made on youtube

[@Dtr146]

I'm really surprised you didn't bring up West Virginia in this video at all

[@elenasayshi]

today i learned Dapz is an engineering student

[@John-Doe-Yo]

Nice

[@hotchocolatemarshmallow]

I LITTERY JUST WHENT DOWN THIS PART

[@BbeyaM]

Use flex tape next time. For the next video that would be amazing.

[@TUKMAK]

Incredible

[@_Gam3r]

safer than the oceangate titan sub

[@Mr_Clean1]

This is great and all but my friend Phil Swift says he doesn't like you ripping him off

[@brianwelch1579]

Did you just let the raft drift out to sea to eventually join the rest of the plastic trash? That seems like a fitting end to me. What a great use of non-recyclables!

[@adammelmed5518]

Should have made some duct tape buckets to take out water

[@SP4CEBAR]

I sawed this boat in half, and we repaired it with only FLEX-tape

[@aproudswede4955]

Ooo, dapz

[@iamablacksabbathsong9765]

You should a better version of the boat that can support all four of you through the entire river , or another even more dangerous river

[@StuffandThings_]

This is proof that duct tape is a valid engineering material

[@SAMIAMFNX]

W vid its 11pm and im at my grams lol

[@hotchocolatemarshmallow]

I Went down this setcion of the river like yesterday

[@Weisz]

It’s a great river! I’ve run it a few times, but this boat was definitely my favorite - glad you enjoyed it!

[@hotchocolatemarshmallow]

i love it so much

[@Oceanblue769]

The people who make duck tape should use this video as advertisement 😂

[@UrDadsFavouriteMaleEscort]

I thought this was an Official Duck Studios video

[@Train115]

Should've used Flex Tape :)

[@MarcBossYT]

YESSSS

[@chrisgaming9567]

Glad to be one of the first thousand views

[@leavesofgrass92]

I say Duct tape wingsuit for the next challenge. You’ve conquered water, now you must master all four elements.

[@Weisz]

Paraglider?

[@leavesofgrass92]

@@Weisz en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wingsuit_flying

[@guiguipop3658]

@@leavesofgrass92 wingsuit diving is wayyyyy too dangerous

[@smokeymountainstoner2671]

This is awesome. And exactly why i keep 700lbs of duct tape ony person at all times, cam use it to make anythong 😂

[@F40M07]

3:00 tech people: NO

[@pbp6741]

Not sure if you were brave or naïve. Perimeter line? Throw ropes? Safety knives? Unpin kit? Trauma kit? Swift water rescue training?

[@Weisz]

Obviously we brought those things 😂 it’s not my first time on the river, just my first time running the new river solo. We had all the proper gear on board with us - and alex is a certified wilderness first responder

[@JoelCreates]

Now do hot glue boat

[@Weisz]

Brb gimme 72 hours

[@t-money8572]

Cant believe they call that a class 5 lol looks like a class 2 at the water level you guys ran it

[@gregoriosantana4905]

Welcome to come run it anytime. Just let me know.

[@t-money8572]

@@gregoriosantana4905 that's a dream of mine for sure. I gotta get out of Colorado!

[@Donuts_random_stuff]

A Dutch KZbinr (Ties) became famous because of Duckttape boats 😂

[@SP4CEBAR]

You should've used FLEX-tape

[@Christianhog]

should have been Flex Seal VS Deadly River lol