Narrows of the Green

There is one river that stands apart. One river looms as the Holy Grail of Class V Creeking. It occupies the deep pockets of a kayakers mind. Boaters that have never come here can never escape its presence. Boaters that have will never forget it. Boaters that make it down in one piece enter into a kinship with all that have come before and stand as a beacon to all that will come after. "Have you run the narrows?" Whether rightly so or not, no other question categorizes whitewater kayakers one from another as sharply. While I have run a lot of rivers, some steeper, some harder, some bigger, I have long been haunted by this question...Come along as I pick up some unfinished business and finally take on the Green River Narrows...
riverkingpete.com/recommended-...
Want the most out of roll and surfing practice? Get a nose plug!!! - amzn.to/3cAJRLK
For stickers, mail a stamped, self addressed envelope and include $1 per desired sticker to:
River Kings
PO Box 222
Saxapahaw, NC 2734

[@pnwbikepacking]

Not a kayaker, but stumbled upon this video and am captivated. I love your storytelling and editing. Really stunning work!

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks a ton PNW Bikepacking!!

[@kwright683]

The majority of KZbin videos I watch/listen to are just playing in the background while I am working or doing other projects, but yours always get my full and undivided attention. Great stuff, Pete!

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks a ton K!

[@12STONESADVENTURES]

No kidding lol. Pete is the best💪

[@RiverKingsKayak]

@@12STONESADVENTURES yall are too kind!

[@paksaokayaking4234]

Right!! I can only watch River Kings content when I can devote full attention! 😃😮😳😨😊

[@shakeandbake7324]

Damn I miss the 90's and my perception pirouette. I remember when my cousin ran the Green back in 96 and I felt big for doing the chattooga when I was 14. The Green blows section IV out the water 😂🤣

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Right on SAB!!

[@dennistm6059]

Damn, the first two thirds of that video had my heart rate up! Thanks for exposing the rest of us to these rivers. Well done!

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks DTM!

[@georgewilliamssr5230]

That IS the best boater video I've seen in ages. 👍

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks a ton George!

[@robynbaker1098]

It was the Green River Narrows for you .Mr Pete but it's the Chattooga for me. Thank you for your videos!❤️

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks Robyn!! Thats what it is all about!

[@johnfuller4424]

By far the Best Green video I have seen!! Even one with me in it. Truly brought out the spiritual side of that river. Ps. Me and my buds put in that plaque for a Great friend, who is no longer with Us. Jerry showed me down the green my first time in 2000

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks a ton John! What a way to memorialize a dear friend...I saw woody stop and look at that plaque as he went by. That river means so much to so many and now Jerry has his place there... It really is a magical run. Thanks again for the kind words!

[@mattmccallum2879]

I'll never forget meeting Woody, it was the third time I'd ever been out in a whitewater boat, about to go down the upper green when we ran into him and one of his friends. I had no idea who he was at the time and just thought he was some crazy old man when he said he was about to run the upper and the narrows. Little did I know, I'd met a legend in the world of whitewater!

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thats awesome Matt!! He is such a blast and so down to earth!

[@andrewthompson9072]

Awesome video Pete! The narrows are beautiful. I hope to attend the green my first time next year to spectate. That's awesome of those folks to reach out to you to paddle the narrows, looked like you had a blast!

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Indeed Andrew!! It is a special river for sure!

[@chriskayakq-ster7264]

Pete you did this one justice brother! Kind of stirred up something from the deep in my years of paddling. You sure put together one incredible movie here this time! This is what the boating community is all about. Respect and being humble is so important to keeping oneself safe and in check. Very nice big time thanks for the work you put into your videos!!!!!!

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks a ton Chris!! Humility is a choice, either you can choose it or the river will choose it for you! LOL. Thanks for the kind words!

[@davebishop2566]

So fun to watch this kinds of stuff. New pass time in the shop.

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks Dave!!

[@eddieolmedo454]

DEVON! Devon was my instructor last year at the whitewater center! One of the best kayak instructors I have had the opportunity to learn from!

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Right on Eddie!! She is a beast!

[@FFAdventuresOriginal]

Fantastic video and really enjoyed your narration. Years ago, before wife and children, I was able to run the Narrows four or five times. I've run everything except Sunshine, I walked it every single time. The risk/reward is just too high on that one for me. Hope to get back there one day, the Narrows is a special place. Right up there with the Tallulah gorge in my top 3. Have you been back when the flow is a bit higher? It's pushier of course but in general it's much more forgiving and some of the cheat lines open up (like Go Left & Die) and some just become less dangerous, like Chief. Thanks for taking me down memory lane on this one, I enjoyed it.

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks FFAO! I have been back a few times.

[@marcusblair7492]

Solid lines @River Kings! Come hit up some stouts in the PNW. #LDUB #NorthForkChampionship #Ernie'sGorge #Icicle #TumwaterCanyon Come for the spring melt! Amazing weather and whitewater on the best days!

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks Marcus! Would love to!!! haven't been up that way yet...

[@omidindeed]

Insanely good from start to finish! Super proud of you! Thanks for taking us along.

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks Omid!

[@vivekvarmas]

Fantastic video Pete !!! Every boaters dream run - congratulations 🍾

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks Vivek!

[@paksaokayaking4234]

Thanks again Pete! Another great one. Send some rain our way plz!! (Mn) 😉

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks Pak Sao! It has actually been really dry here, but that one is a dam release that runs all the time!

[@scrutton66]

Just wow. Beautifully put together.

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks Paul!

[@jrjasminaradulj5542]

Thank you very much for such a wonderful story and video. As I a mum & kayaker I completely understand your kayaking narrative as of a parent and a kayaker. I wish you many more rivers like this one and good health and peace on earth.

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks a ton JR! Likewise!

[@pop4725]

Truly one of your best videos , thank you for a view into the Green

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks Pop!

[@cathycarris3273]

frigging fabulous! thanks for this! I so miss the Green River! (and my buddy Richard) You all rocked!

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks a ton Cathy!

[@scottlnrd]

Very nice, Pete! Another beautiful video and job well done.

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks Scott!

[@phillbaldwin2720]

Great video and great run Pete! Always inspired and motivated by your videos! Thank you for what you do and for getting folks like me into whitewater. Hope to run into you on the water one day!

[@RiverKingsKayak]

For sure Phill!! Thanks!

[@PanicFreakAtl]

Loved this one Pete!

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks Nathan!

[@12STONESADVENTURES]

One of my top five river kings favorites! I'm glad you got that much desired redemption Pete👍 I'd love to hike this area.

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks a ton Billy!!! Was an awesome day!

[@user-wz4ei2iu6w]

Awesome Pete!

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks E!

[@treyhelms5282]

Beautiful trip and video, Pete. thanks for sharing.

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks Trey!

[@yakkelberry214]

I took my wilderness systems Aspire 105 down this. Was a bit sketchy but I lived. 😂 great video

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Lol!!! That would be a sweet video

[@boviac]

Thanks for this and sharing how you scout ahead and keeping a fun day, FUN. Cheers. Keep up the great videos

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks Chris!

[@pilotjt]

Excellent video, Pete. Congrats on the narrows run.

[@RiverKingsKayak]

thanks JT!

[@SteveDent32]

Awesome video man! I love watching you south eastern boaters it looks terrifying. I love interacting with all of you paddlers when you come out to Banks, Idaho.

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Right on steve!! Thanks! We are talking about a trip out there!

[@patchymcq]

now thats some good creekin! shredded it!!!!!!

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks patch!! On these runs, it is best to show up with the A game!

[@danenewman800]

So cool! Congrats!!!

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks Dane!

[@IE_Tiger]

Great video. Excellent commentary on how knowing when not to run a rapid is just as important as knowing how to run a rapid.

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks Donnie!!

[@shortfinancial]

You are such an excellent storyteller! This was so powerful! We were just boating/tubing on the river (not the narrows but below it) this weekend and was great to see your experience!

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks a ton Adam! That is such a great river!

[@shortfinancial]

@@RiverKingsKayak Yessir--we we're on the lower part this past weekend! We love your videos and have become an avid fan of your work!

[@DownstreamV]

Nice run Pete!

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks Matt!

[@colelaughter4811]

Pete you are the man ! I hope I have the balls / skills to do this someday. The lower and upper are beautiful I can only imagine how beautiful the narrows are. Also nice monologue

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks a ton Cole!!

[@SouthernPaddler]

Great video, Pete!! Really enjoyed this this!! 👍👊

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks brother!! been enjoying your content!

[@SouthernPaddler]

@@RiverKingsKayak Thank you, Pete!! 👊

[@jamesmengel5818]

Great video! I am currently 45 and just got into kayaking more recreational, after this summer plan on getting into some whitewater. Although I may never do the Narrows I can’t wait to learn, grow and enjoy what I do get into! Love watching the videos!

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Right on James! Thank you!

[@PaddleTV]

Great video! Thanks! Really brought back some great memories. Can't wait to get back there...

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks Ken! If you are ever in NC, would absolutely love to paddle with you (or anywhere else too lol)! I have been a fan for quite some time ...love your channel!

[@PaddleTV]

@@RiverKingsKayak Sounds great Pete! Would love to connect in NC sometime... and if you ever make it to the Ottawa River, give a shout!

[@rlutzmec4290]

Nice! Dream run

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks patrick!!

[@joemorris8423]

Hey Pete! Great video!!! I wanted to quickly thank you for something. A little over a week ago, I was rafting on the New River. We were playing in a surf hole, and something bounced the raft and forced me to the right ( when hi-side was to the left ). I thought I was gone ( like some from the other rafts ), but your info on bracing allowed me to save myself, even with just a rafting paddle. Thanks!!!

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Right on Joe!!! That's awesome!

[@mattbrash]

AWESOME vid!!! I felt like I was there.....except I wasn't scared,lol.....Thank you so much for these!!!

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks Matt! it is such a cool place!

[@lou36heron87]

great video, one of your best, great scenery too, that take out looks familiar - where the Lower Green run starts, I hope to see you tackle the Gorilla one day on the Narrows! and you can definitely see why that section is called the Narrows! I like to look at the kayakers take that run on you-tube.

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thank you lou36!!

[@mikelittell682]

I've actually been waiting for you guys to hit this one. This is a long term goal run for me in the near future.

[@RiverKingsKayak]

It's an iconic classic

[@RiverKingsKayak]

@@DrJoonPark blindly encouraging someone to take on class 5 water against the advice of their peers is pretty irresponsible...I hope you actually know Huckleberry Photography. He may be ready, he may not quite be there yet...if you don't know each other well, please refrain from such comments...especially on this channel anyway.

[@mikelittell682]

@@DrJoonPark I'm new to whitewater kayaking. So I plan on taking it in pace with respect to the water. I for sure have no problems breaking thru my comfort zone but not in a way that is irresponsible or that could put others at risk who'd also be put in danger by having to try to rescue me or render aid.

[@AlexEddlemon]

Nice lines man!! Love the videos!

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thank you sir!! And likewise!! Your future is limitless!!

[@jefflawrence5342]

Awesome video!

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks Jeff!

[@mikeemmons4062]

Great video! Something tells me that in a few years we'll see P5 carving that run up.

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks Mike! That would be cool!!

[@derekdellinger9589]

Great video! Definitely one of the best rivers around. Should definitely look into the Watauga and Cheoah if you haven't gotten the chance to get on them yet. Very different from the GNarr, but ultra classics as well!!

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Right on Derek! I have in fact done both of those...fabulous rivers! It has been too long since Ive been back for sure! I a balancing paddling the bigger stuff for myself and getting P5, Ryan and my buddies out on stuff that at the moment is considerably lesser in stoutness...I'm certain I will find that balance and get around to all those gems again soon! Thanks Derek!

[@Sanctuarysurvival]

Epic bro!

[@RiverKingsKayak]

thanks mountaintom!

[@jasoncowan98]

Nice work! Gives me some vision for running Narrows Lite.

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks Jason!

[@jasoncowan98]

@@RiverKingsKayak we should paddle together sometime. I live in Charlotte and am training up my son who's 12... he paddles class 3 to 4ish and needs to have his PFD on Wilson soon like your son!

[@SchaeferYaks]

Awesome video 🤙🏼🤙🏼🤙🏼

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks Schaefer!

[@SchaeferYaks]

@@RiverKingsKayak thank you dude. Currently watching and rewatching your roll video so I can start running bigger water. 🤙🏼

[@sticksstones8498]

GREAT VIDEO

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks S&S!

[@iowaadventures4701]

Another good video

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks Iowa Adventures

[@ronactive]

Nice River, Nice Video - very good. Greetings ronactive

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks Ron!!

[@adulfdabo898]

Life will take away good things, just to give them back when it's time.

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Right on BD!

[@bobmcelroy7289]

If you ride in it its class, if youre watching it...it may be a P 4, or 5....meaning you'll dang near pre your britches 4 or 5 times just watching!

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Right on Bob! Thanks and its always good to hear from you in the comments!!!

[@kayakook]

So I dont think you really got in that cave at sunshine, you have to swim through a slot under the rock and you end up behind the rock that makes the rapid. Ill show you next time we do it.

[@RiverKingsKayak]

You are correct! I'm down!

[@romerobinson8279]

You need to come run watauga gorge with me, Davis, and Graham Briggs!

[@RiverKingsKayak]

For sure Rome! It's been too long for me!

[@romerobinson8279]

@@RiverKingsKayak great video btw! The narrows is such a special place

[@peterwhatley4413]

Are you gonna race this year get in there Pete

[@RiverKingsKayak]

He he!!

[@timothykeltron3447]

Hey River King - you got a link for those arm pads you are wearing?

[@RiverKingsKayak]

here you go! amzn.to/3dQEtGy

[@Harrison881]

I remember when I thought the Green was the most important river. Those first few runs are very special.

[@RiverKingsKayak]

There are definitely a few rivers out there that stay with a paddler. I will never forget my first run on the Tellico after just a few months paddling...

[@MonkeyNAround]

Amazing! Congrats this is one I would love to possess the skill enough to paddle one day.

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Let's get crackin! Thanks brother!

[@willm6705]

fun !! :) all creek boats ?? - Bill M.

[@RiverKingsKayak]

There was a rewind in the mix...its a half slice. Thanks Bill!

[@canajian]

👋😎👍

[@peterwhatley4413]

Can’t wait did u do gorilla

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Not this time!

[@chadfowler4761]

You liking that Nirvana better than the Alpha?!

[@RiverKingsKayak]

It's different. It's better at holding a line...brought it as it really didn't matter what I used except at the big three. In the case I wanted to fire them up, the nirvana would serve me well at the notch (gorilla) and at sunshine. As it were the Alpha would probably been better for the rock hopping

[@macfawlty]

I live only 3 miles from Great Falls, MD on the Potomac River and hope to see a future video with you running some of those lines. We got plenty of space to put you and little man up at our house! I’ve watched about 40 hours of the RK channel since starting whitewater classes this year. I learn a lot more about paddling and river running on RK than any other channel.

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks a ton macfawlty! Thanks for the kind words! That is what it is all about! It's an honor to be a part of your journey!

[@dgottaski]

well done video. not a bad first lap. but saying you have ran bigger harder rivers and then sneak, and or portage, all of the more difficult rapids on a run during ELF flows is a little misleading. run all of the river then comapre it to others that you have ran in total. again video was put together well.

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks Sam! I appreciate your perspective. I also get what you are saying. Hopefully I gave the big three the proper reverence in the video. Those rivers I ran were run 15 to 20 years ago when I was a younger, stronger paddler - and a paddler with far fewer responsibilities. One thing I never do is paddle for ego. I do feel I could have run the big three and there is still that drive in me to send everything. The group I was with was not running them. The main focus on the day was actually getting Devon down the river on her PFD - I was able to join and tried to keep that focus. Running the big three would have changed the entire dynamic of the trip for our group and shifted that focus . A group that is not willing to run them is likely not looking to take on the responsibility of getting me out if it goes bad. I also am ok with walking a dangerous rapid on any particular day. All in all, I think the day went spectacularly. Whether I ran three rapids or not, does not change how I enjoyed the river or what I think about it or whatever I did ages ago.. Those rapids are waiting there for me or anyone else that shows up and decides to give it a go! Now that I'm older, for me it is no longer a check the box conquest. It's about being smart, fitting in to your group dynamic, and staying healthy enough/injury free to keep doing this as long as possible! I don't paddle for myself anymore...if one is looking for the hard charging young bucks that send all the gnar and style everything...there are plenty of other channels that feature that. I'm just a starting-to-get-old guy that loves to paddle and tell the story. LOL! Thanks again! Hope to share a river with you someday!

[@gatoryak7332]

It's better to walk a rapid and wish you had run it than it is to run a rapid and wish you had walked it.

[@RiverKingsKayak]

For sure gato. Though, I have never actually run a rapid that I wished I had walked...and thats a good thing! On smaller rapids and rivers, I usually always encourage one to push the limits. But on Class 5+ with heavy consequences, things are to be taken differently...