Wenatchee River Rafting with Creature Craft - Class 5 & 6 White Water in Tumwater Canyon

[@MrWyzzrd]

I was born in Wenatchee and have driven by, swam in, and fished this river many many times, but to see someone take on this section of the river was something I never expected to see! The awesome power and force of it when standing on the road next to those exit falls feels like you are standing next to a speeding locomotive and the sound is deafening. To see this video only gives you a hint of what these guys have achieved and I must say to you they deserve to be applauded for their amazing run

[@journeybrook9357]

👍❤️💯

[@OzrikKnob]

Again we see that bouncy castles are the solution to everything.

[@byrongray1020]

Yessss

[@martineast1787]

That's funny

[@journeybrook9357]

Except staying on the ground on a windy day

[@fanofcandace8940]

May 18th 1980, me and about 30 friends were rafting that section of the Wenatchee River while Mt St. Helens was erupting. (With guides and outfitters) it was eerie about 3/4 through the run, day turned to night, we had no clue until the pullout and an inch of ash on our cars. What a Memory!!! Great video Thanks.

[@IcicleTV]

Whoa! That sounds like a magical experience to remember forever! Thx for sharing.

[@rick419]

So they take commercial trips through this section with class 5 and 6 rapids?

[@bambesfresser]

@@rick419 No, there are no commercial activities on that stretch. I am pretty sure the fellow is referring to the section of the Wenatchee east of Leavenworth which is class 3 and 4. Tons of fun but nothing insane.

[@bambesfresser]

That stretch of the Wenatchee is insane. Miles of crazy white water that is awe inspiring just looking at it while driving down from the pass. Total insanity to raft it. As you can tell, the river more or less just washes the raft down. You can't really control anything in this mayhem.

[@garretmcr]

FYI all you non Aquaholics, a Class 6 Rapid is "Extremely dangerous, classified as UN-raftable. All previous difficulties increased to the limit of practicability. Very confused, Very Violent, Exploding and folding water so difficult that controlled navigation by raft is virtually impossible. Swimming this grade of rapid is considered suicidal. Requires extreme luck or skill to finish." by United States National Classification. Also if you know anything about hydraulics and folding white water, Reactionary waves, Eddie walls, Eddies, etc you will understand that at 5.5+ even with the highest skills it is difficult to control your vessel, the river will at that point do with your vessel as it pleases. and it looked as if this river is flowing at 45,000 cfs or even greater, lets see you rookies even think about it! I know I'm not going down a class 6 any time soon, not even in a CC.

[@elhior23]

Sort of right but a class 6 is simply defined as not possible to run. So once it is run and this happens quite often as people push limits it is no longer a class 6. So by definition this is not a class 6 there is no class 6 the people run in boats. Even the Grand Inga, sort of, is no longer a 6.

[@garretmcr]

from what I was taught it takes multiple safe runs down a class 6 in order for it to be classified as a class 6, not just one run. again, this is just what I was taught, so is it just one run?

[@elhior23]

Garret McReynolds yea I think you right. from my background of creek kayaking we talk about a first run changing it to 5+ but after talking to a few boaters it does take many runs that are safe to technically move it to 5.

[@antdx316]

But isn't this w/ the raft designs up to that date? I'm sure any super advances w/ computers would create a "raftable" experience than ever was possible or not matter what invention could ever be conceived, it will never ever work? Also, what are "eddies" and "eddie walls"?

[@antdx316]

@Casey Atchinson - OIT What is really considered "safe"?

[@bb1257]

This reminds me of strapping yourself into a barrel and just going along for a ride.

[@cdluggage]

Yeah new age approach to the barrel test at Niagara, however successful thus far.

[@oledahammer8393]

Every county in the US that has a low-head dam, which causes hydraulic currents, should have one of these for rescues. It is the first water "vehicle" ever made that cannot submerged by a hydraulic current. Critical for rescues in those situations and not lose the rescuers as well. Many counties that have low-head dams that have a history of drowning people have purchased these. Great for any fast or dangerous in-water rescues.

[@StupidStuffProductions]

I agree but a lot of counties don’t understand and are not quick to spend 15000 dollars on something they think they don’t need.

[@justabirdwithaword]

Shame someone thought you had to put music over the entire video.

[@johnochoa213]

Just turn off the volume

[@andycanable5076]

@@johnochoa213 They were talking (at a lower volume) before the annoying music started!

[@USMCasper]

@@johnochoa213 I want to hear what they say without BS in the background. It's nature. Who want's trash messing it up?

[@2bigbufords]

yea editing is crappy too

[@stevescheppers3899]

Yo! I see these sections of River everyday and in max flow like this the Wenatchee River is INSANE! These dudes are serious badasses!!!

[@mikebockey4125]

just wondering, are the oars to give your hands something to do or just for show?

[@ruckus9469]

Mike Bockey the oars help you get stability if the raft is tipping

[@thenamesdrew2]

You probably won't see this but, oars help steer (not much in these crazy rapids) and pull the boat through rapids if you lose momentum

[@mihaucka4087]

Hahaha, I came to comment section to write the exactly same comment

[@Ajaxaxxess]

I was wondering about the huge tube completely blocking forward vision

[@mikebockey4125]

Ryk_1010 _, hey, it’s called satire. try it sometime, it’s fun.

[@funkyflights]

I love those rafts! Funny seeing the faces on them eating up the rapids! Also what a great idea with the design, the rafts don’t flip they just ride sideways...

[@powertyagi9151]

Man this commendable what they have achieved in this , when I first gone for rafting there was only one class 4 rapid I was scared to shit and this gave me goosebumps

[@steveklick]

See how the improved system keeps them up and a float! I thought of these years ago and people would say you were stupid or dumb but look at them now. They are the best vehicle all the way around. Accounts for everything in every way for ultra enjoyment and safety.

[@onisgagan2481]

I’d rather jump in the river than listen to another second of these sweet guitar licks...

[@samjett3157]

🤣

[@Carcajou72]

Agree totally. They're awful.

[@briand3837]

It seems more a testament to the design of the raft than any skills exhibited.

[@billquantrill4960]

You should show the way.

[@Josh-hr5mc]

Definitely looks like it's all craft and less skills than anything

[@tylercunningham2896]

@@Josh-hr5mc "ive never been on ww but im gonna throw out my opinion on it anyway"

[@mosquitobite101]

I loved the video... I've seen these on the river in Idaho and had no idea really what they were or the difference from other rafts. Very cool!

[@Ruger44Redhawk]

Those are insane rapids! I live in Idaho and I would love to try the Selway, Lochsa, River Of No Return, Snake, Imnaha, Bruneau-Jarbridge and Owyhee rivers. I've only done the Swirly Canyon section because my co-worker and his brother were rafting guides in West Virginia and they have their own raft (I believe the raft they own is the famous 'Ruby' raft you see in Grand Canyon images and has Ruby on the side of it). That was fun as hell! I need more now.

[@csiebester]

If you guys ever mess up and hit Lava Hole in the GC please get it on tape. I'm curious how your boat would do.

[@hardboy1864]

I have been to the Gauley river in west Virginia. I thought that was insane. But this footage is sick!!! Those are wicked rapids....

[@ibuprofenPill]

Back in 2005 I had the opportunity to kayak this river and I passed. Even though I'm solid class V a whitewater kayaker, it was just too risky. I'm on the river to have fun, I've never been about getting notches in my belt. Just too much for me. Not to mention I have a family to think about. But, kidos to all those who brave it!

[@AStrangernightApache0864]

I gotta hand it to you guys, you all did an outstanding white water 💦 rafting. None of you guys panicked, which is one of the most important things to do.

[@TheGhostfaceKLR]

Wow, that's crazy cool! Though I could have done with out the crappy metal soundtrack; let the river speak, it's metal enough.

[@jamescarlin569]

I kind of disagree not about it being crazy cool but the metal soundtrack isn't that bad it's not even that metal and I'm not into that kind of music at all but it is pretty cool

[@Grav3s07]

Buddy, thats not metal.🤣

[@govelasco]

How about a sphere with a freely spinning core controlled with gyroscopes?

[@irjerry3]

No it's not metal, it's crappy metal. Jfc it has nothing to do with dark throne or emperor it's jusg bad bro douche 5fdp tier shit.

[@tpstrat14]

There’s nothing more confusing to me than taking extra effort to edit your video to drown out the real sounds with your personal music. Well, the fact that humans still fight wars is definitely more confusing, but besides that....

[@blockwatch29]

Put a clear piece of tubbing through the front pillar and instead of looking at a yellow pillar you could at least have a blurry windshield pillar in front. Pretty cool video.

[@mikebrunner8459]

I would do this river only on this boat. Love this invention. Best

[@ColinPittendrigh]

They're definitely on to something. The CC has two parallel tubes on bottom close together, which makes it easy to tip over. But just as easy to tip back upright again. The flotation roll bars are genius. I'd like to see a raft and/or a decked dory built with a big overhead roll bar, maybe out of foam/fiberglass. I'll try to work it into my act.

[@chapsteronetime2000]

Dang that’s balls there! Good job I grew up in northern Washington and this section of river is nothing short of fierce period wow! You made it out alive

[@OLYDHMTBR]

OMG. That is so intense!!!!!! WOW. Takes the words right out of me. You guys are crazy awesome!!!!!

[@jonasdoherty1140]

Are reinforced seats to support your giant balls standard on Creature Craft rafts, or was that extra?

[@CreaturecraftWaterwog]

More videos on our Channel if you subscribe we will reward you with free smiles.

[@TileBitan]

the raft has an opening at the bottom for your balls, dw

[@ninarodriguez7909]

Sheesh yall made it look easy! I just did my first rafting class 3 and looking for class 4. I love intensity :)

[@superFunnypancakes]

Totally amazing!! The perfect boat for this insane run. Brilliant!

[@cdluggage]

Yeah, and it looks like it unhinges at the top for when in calmer waters for mire stability with its top potoons lowered. Strange either way guess thats why its called the creature craft.

[@pennybartley4783]

Saw that River this weekend, seriously crazy water!!!

[@SomjitBhattacharyya]

Really its a unique creature. Amazing video

[@CreaturecraftWaterwog]

More videos on our Channel if you subscribe we will reward you with free smiles.

[@tankmaster1018]

Holy Shit. I thought class 4 rapids were scary as fuck. I would probably be crying If I was in a normal raft on these runs. Those Creature Craft are badass!

[@dissential1]

I don't think I'd be crying for long, if you know what I mean. What power!

[@GuillaumeMaryRaftUbaye]

whaouuu that's what we call a great run !! amazing...

[@harryharpoon5257]

Damn that's a gnarly river run!

[@mrantone916]

Babe! Were takin the jumpy house down river, late'!! 😎

[@aflockofbeagles8219]

Sounds about drunk 👍🥂

[@SteveCastleberry]

That looked incredible. Nice run! Would love to try it someday.

[@dougdavis8986]

Tell us another story grandpa

[@bambesfresser]

You don't want to. You have to be certifiably insane to attempt it. Just driving down the road next to it is adventure enough.

[@TravisMizeiRacing]

Why even bring paddles

[@thereisnopandemic]

To pretend that your in control, obviously

[@zacharywilken5002]

They didn’t bring paddles

[@byrdsoutdoors]

I would love to get the chance to ride one of these! Looks awesome!

[@eppi6785]

Looks like a fun weekend

[@nerminc.1713]

At this point aren't they just along for the ride? The oars don't seem to do all that much.

[@jonathansantos2271]

I wonder what those water crafts are materially made out of? Seems safer in design style? Thank you for Sharing. ❤

[@briandevlin5833]

impressive craft, liked the self righting bit on the grade 5.

[@sarajanesmith3892]

Would love to run that river. Looks like great fun!!😍

[@lonniehdeal]

man, if I could see where I was going I would of pulled over. lol.

[@jermlac]

When you realize the egg drop project from your high-school physics class can also float...

[@coloradosheets]

TBH I always thought the creature craft thing was a short lived fad and kinda lame. But this was still pretty sick and the first time I've seen a creature craft flip and then flip back up. I get it now! Nice work fellas.

[@MrStevie63]

Ohh good the place where you see in the front is on the bottom. Perfect

[@johnrflinn]

A rock sieve might present a problem to a craft like this. It seems to do better than normal rafts in big holes.

[@user-tb2jy9lu3d]

This craft was originally designed to rescue people from lowhead dam plunge pools and not capsize, if I remember correctly...

[@mattmarzula]

Correct.

[@CreaturecraftWaterwog]

We have some great videos on our channel that talk about the development of the craft and rescue applications. If you subscribe we would be very grateful. :)

[@keenanperkins5056]

My boat fliped on class 3 and 2 and my whole family almost drowned including me yeaterday. We even had a professional guide with us it was a freak accident

[@seanbaskett5506]

Those are some big hits right there, but if you were to funnel that much water down the North Fork of the Payette, Tumwater would look like a booze cruise in comparison.

[@TheWin.finance]

So cool but wow, would this be enhanced without the music, and instead, with a voiceover explaining a Class VI.

[@Skullet]

Not sure they really needed the oars, not to mention they looked the most dangerous part of this whole thing, having them in fixed rowlocks means if they dig in you could be at the wrong end of a painful pivot. Probably would have been better just giving them normal white water rafting paddles.

[@Jidwo]

Skullet they need oars to go different directions

[@surfcruzer]

Very cool experience for this guys

[@jesuschrist-alphaomega]

I went down that river in the 80s. And in fall time. That "looks" like spring thaw time volume.

[@9MileBros]

Great video guys!

[@210SAi]

Wow! I had no idea class of Rapids went above 4! Amazing video

[@oledahammer8393]

6 is generally considered the highest, but class 6 is considered lethal for any but the most advanced rafters\kayakers.

[@thegirlinframes]

Absolutely fearless 🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽

[@unionse7en]

cool, but annoying how the "struts" block ones view

[@brianluisi7616]

This is the best designed boat in the world, it can survive class 6 and is used in low-head damn rescue, I'm happy it was created, but it's not even comparable to watching a true pro tackle this river in a kayak

[@jacobmees8040]

Those things are awesome. I'm curious is there is a reason they didn't go with a more traditional cage type design so you can have forward vision though. There may be a reason, I just can't figure out why.

[@curtiswarner5880]

Most of the time an oarsman is at a ferry angle, sideways in the river. The front peak leg as it is called really isn't in the way. At the last second you straighten out to run the rapid.

[@john1105]

Does the three foot wide column directly in your line of sight ever get old?

[@potaylo]

Looks like it would make this sort of activity available to people who would not consider it otherwise. I think the large front tube blocking straight on vision would bug me.

[@DominiqueB]

that thing is hardly ever going straight, so the best spot for the struts would be dead center for the least obstruction of the view. (-:

[@803brando]

i wonder if some kind of drift sock underneath the boats would stabilize them.

[@nadjahlover]

Wow... that river sure has grown since I was a kid!!! Yeah.. I"m old. hahahaa. Looks like a BLAST!!!!!!!!

[@unclejohnthezef]

1:28 3:00 white and blue boat testing self-righting 4:55 yellow rolling

[@dowblab]

How much do those ores actually effect their direction? From an unbeknownst observer it seems like the river is just taking them wherever it wants

[@bunnielebowski2007]

I must try this! Where can I find Darren??

[@crazybilltv5220]

That’s awesome doing it this weekend

[@TheArtofWarChina]

Wouldn't it be better is the front is triangular tubes so they can see straight

[@vulcanez]

Totaly Sick run!

[@zoetony09]

Awesome creation, Shaggy!

[@paultrigger3798]

awesome vid, rapids look huge on camera must be massive in person. What an awesome experience that must be 4:04

[@kahlernygard809]

I've ran tumwater in that orange boat either Brandon Steele. To say it was burly Is an understatement.

[@kenmullin8649]

Exactly! The river is awesome the soundtrack is brutal!,

[@a.m.v.6938]

Are those training wheels for rafters

[@markusjoseph5256]

Thats Bad ass Guys, Thank you

[@superstar436]

Sorry but I cannot catch the name of the other river in BC/Canada which they are training on the Wenatchee river for (0:46 of the vid )

[@IcicleTV]

They were training for the Grand Canyon of the Stikine River.

[@SMGleader]

+Icicle TV The everest of whitewater

[@stufoo]

Is this the training wheels for white water rafting?

[@brianskinner5711]

Remarkable craft--- But you cannot see ahead, only to the side. They should make the forward tubes of transparent material.

[@geraldbostock9858]

I drove past that area on hwy 2 at the end of August and the river didn't look like that. This must be spring, right?

[@IcicleTV]

Yes, this is during high water spring runoff.

[@davidbayles6494]

Those oars make for pretty unsecured hand holds, don't ya think? When you get pulled into one of those notorious keeper holes, how the heck will you ever get out? #hopeyousurvived

[@braincrisp1]

Forget amusement park rides. This is where it's at!

[@TomDiller1]

How does the person in front see with that big tube in the way? Why can't it be moved to the side and have 2 instead of one?

[@jerrywhalen2100]

Where can I get a ticket to ride

[@adrianhart367]

Does paddling really help? Looks like you kind of just jump in and hang on.

[@michaelmccaine]

The background music is like someone tried to describe tool to someone and then have them play it.

[@leehughes7031]

Michael McCane should have been Ozzy bark at the moon 🌝

[@smileytwins]

Awesome thanks for sharing.

[@leeg468]

Creature crafts come standard with a ten inch black pole seat correct?

[@johnturner011]

Those boats are the sickest thing.

[@CreaturecraftWaterwog]

Thanks we have a lot of fun. More videos on our Channel if you subscribe we will reward you with free smiles.

[@Sean-tc6fg]

What's the name and artist of the background song?

[@blasater]

I know a guy who broke his leg doing this stretch of the Wenatchee when the river threw him to the bottom of the river.

[@knaz7468]

What flow level was this?

[@eagancm]

Rafts with roll bars, sweet!

[@graydon5497]

looks fun...

[@glidingpig]

Interesting, but it kinda takes any skill or technique out of it when you use self righting 'boats' to do it. See 4:30 and watch to rear paddler try to work the paddle with the wrong hand. At the same time, it looks like the paddlers did very little except hold on to get out of that hole. Now one one hand, innovating new watercraft to run previously unrunnable rivers is a worthy goal. On the other, this might open more rivers up to commercial exploitation and less oversight of competent guides.

[@glidingpig]

No, it is not 'too powerful', and as a paddler, you never 'hope for the best'. You map out your route, you look at the escape routes, and you see if it can be run. My criticism is those are not boats, they are self righting and if you don't know what that means, and what skill that removes from running rivers than I can't explain it to you here.

[@CreaturecraftWaterwog]

@pig, Interesting that people think it takes any of the skill or technique out of it but it is clearly safer than tubing it and taking a kayak down this run at the same flow would take some skills I certanly don't have but because it is a new sport we want to respond to some of these comments: See 4:30 that is the last hole in Exit rapid generally considered a class VI but as per other comments of this feed we will call it a Creature Craft V+. Shaggy is the guy in the back seat with Darren in front they drive through the biggest holes but get a bit sideways coming out of the V into Typewriter whole this looks less significant but it is one of the stickiest holes on Tumwater. As they are getting surfed Shaggy who is not a young man dose drop his oars (not paddles) then starts to high-side while managing his L oar with his R hand in that water it takes both hands on one oar some times to pry out of a hole. In my opinion commercial guiding at this level would be work for most skilled guides in whitewater. Also this vid is a few years old, the sport progresses with each rain storm.

[@dissential1]

adrian03411 That's no joke. I have driven that stretch in high springtime flow and the power is unimaginable. It's pretty cool they designed a boat that could do that but I can only imagine the feeling of helplessness in the middle of that.

[@evanshaw3440]

Creature Craft Official I agree that it is certainly safer, taking a normal raft in there at these flows at these levels would be certain death. But as to how much skill it takes... it seems that no matter what line they have they come out alright. So not much skill needed. It is the craft that is amazing, the 'guide' doesn't need to be. I have never tried one though. Would you agree CCO?

[@CreaturecraftWaterwog]

Well there are not videos of the boats that got pinned under log jams... as you might guess there is not always a video of when things went wrong. We run the big lines in the middle because sometimes that's the better option for us knowing that we can run a big hole. Even experienced class V guides need to work up to running something like Tumwater in a CC. The first time you get a good solid barrel roll it changes your perception of what is possible but it's a whole different thing to do three barrel rolls, how to have good oar management so they don't get you and then to see your opportunity to get out (a good bounce in the right direction with an oar in the current is the difference between taking another tumble and getting down river). We have lots of boring videos of beginners stuck in holes that one of the team guys would just row out of... don't expect us to post it on KZbin but check out our channel we could use some more subscriptions.

[@OneSon744]

Try the Yangzi river in China!

[@bn8706]

Damn that looks fun as hell!! Great vid. Great ride.

[@jayawesome7677]

Are they strapped in to the craft? That seems a bit insane...

[@GeorgeGoesAnywhere]

Check out the web page creaturecraft.com it tells all about the design.

[@darrenvancil6917]

Really Kayakers are always strapped in, does that make them insane

[@journeybrook9357]

Wow I thought the roof top would be a hazard, maybe if the top looped on a tree or rock . Itherbthan that with btje superb rafters the boats allsome.