Tips for Rowing the Big Rapids in the Grand Canyon (Colorado River Whitewater Rafting)

First Prize - 2022 National Paddling Film Festival, Accomplished Amateur Category
00:00 Intro & Overview
14:29 Badger Creek Rapid
18:16 House Rock Rapid & Downstream Ferry
35:14 24-Mile (Georgie) Rapid
37:57 Hance Rapid & Scouting Technique
49:48 Horn Creek Rapid
54:59 Granite Rapid
59:46 Hermit Rapid
1:04:11 Crystal Rapid
1:11:48 Bedrock Rapid
1:21:54 Upset Rapid
1:26:28 Lava Falls
1:40:12 209-Mile Rapid
1:45:50 Risk & Rower Readiness
1:50:22 Conclusion, Credits, and Download Info
Here's a unique "how to" instructional video for those aspiring to get behind the oars of a raft in the Grand Canyon. It includes action video from all the major rapids, diagrams, and analysis alongside helpful advice on skills and technique. And it is organized into chapters - one per major rapid. Our aim is for this to support enjoyment of trips and especially safer trips.
As promised in the video, here is a link to the downloadable pdf file containing all the rapid diagrams and other helpful info. Viewers report that they found it helpful to take either a printed version or the digital version on a device along with them on the river to review at camp or while scouting. drive.google.com/file/d/1GgAS...
And here is the link to a downloadable version of this video. It's a 1 GB mp4 file. At 640x360 it's suitable for an iPad or smartphone, and that should work fine for portability. Please use the link for downloads only, and not for streaming. drive.google.com/file/d/1DEmW...
Marc Hunt is a longtime whitewater kayaker and river runner from Asheville, North Carolina. He's been enjoying Grand Canyon whitewater since 1982. He co-founded the original outfitting business on the Ocoee River in Tennessee in the 1976 and later went on to leadership roles at Nantahala Outdoor Center in North Carolina. With numerous trips on rivers around the US and internationally, he has an extensive background in whitewater safety, paddling instruction, and guide training.
Based on feedback and questions since original publication, here are a few notes from Marc for clarification/interpretation of video content:
- For those that don't mind using devices in the Canyon, I recommend downloading the video so rowers can watch a chapter on a given rapid the evening prior to running it. Diagrams can be reviewed on devices, or they can be printed in advance and taken along. There is so much info in the video, it might be hard to retain key points without taking the resources along. Downloads are limited to personal use in support of river running in the Grand Canyon and may not be re-published without permission. To share this video with others, it's best to simply provide the link to this KZbin version.
- In the intro and overview section, where I discuss the disco move (i.e., turning around and rowing from the opposite sitting position), I see that as perhaps useful in less-intense situations like when one is working through chaotic swirls below a rapid, and not so much to be used as a technique in the heart of a big rapid where it would be difficult to quickly reposition one' self in the raft.
- Some have wished I had provided routes through additional rapids, with Deubendorff being of prime interest. My hope is that with study of the video and putting the scouting and routing skills to use in the rapids covered, the rapids not covered in the video will become easier to manage. When it comes to Duby though, I favor a left to right downstream ferry given that there are a couple pour-overs on the left-side run should one get a little off-route there.
- Some say that they do find it challenging to adapt to the downstream ferry with confidence. I'll just emphasize again that for those not yet familiar, practicing the downstream ferry with intention and repetition early in the trip - or preferably on other rivers in the months leading up to a Grand Canyon trip - is the key. And note that adapting to timing of all moves in the Canyon can require some learning due to the heavier-loaded of rafts packed for a multi-week Canyon trip.
- I'll continue to provide updates here based on welcomed feedback.
*****
Partial Credits for Music Arcadia
- Wonders by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. creativecommons.org/licenses/... Source: incompetech.com/music/royalty-... Artist: incompetech.com/
- The Evening of Departure by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. creativecommons.org/licenses/... Artist: www.twinmusicom.org/

[@megburelle3629]

Had this video downloaded for our GC trip and every night before major rapids we’d sit around the fire and huddle up to watch! Thanks for all the advice!

[@sierraward9609]

How is this free?! Thank you SO, so much. It’s obvious a lot of time went into this and I appreciate immensely.

[@MarcHunt]

Sierra - Thank you for the nice compliment. I spend a bunch of time volunteering for various causes, I saw a need for this, and geared up my rudimentary editing/production skills to make it. I'm eager for GC trips to be as safe as possible. Huge credit however goes to all the people that donated their video clips, asking for nothing in return. Plus, if we tried to sell it, it would get maybe 2% the views, and that would have defeated the whole purpose.... Thanks again for watching!

[@davidpauli3189]

This will become the "must watch" video for years to come for those running the Colorado. Particularly those new to the canyon. Outstanding job!

[@SaxonHolbrook]

This video and supporting documentation is a testament to your experience and generosity. Thanks Marc and friends! We launch on May 14th 8 years to the day after my first Golden Ticket as TL.

[@garyschomberger2291]

Still the bed damn video on the internet! Getting ready for another run and I pulled out my laminated cards and watched twice as a refresher. Thanks Marc and friends.

[@trailerframeproductions142]

Love this video, it about time someone broke down the rapids on "how to" basis. Thanks.

[@martinginsburg7222]

Duckie guy here, 5th year in a row going as safety down the Grand 8/22. This is very valuable for quackers too! I don't care if you're a Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Independent as I would vote for you for President. With this type of analysis you would have navigated us through the Covid without flipping. Do you realize how many people you will save from trauma? Pure unselfish Gold. Hope to be privileged to meet you one day.

[@drummerforpeace]

We are considering downloading this video onto our phones because it has been so helpful, and will be helpful when staring at the rapids in person. Thanks for all the hard work putting this together!

[@MarcHunt]

Thanks so much! An approach that works for many is to watch the video segement on phones at camp the evening prior, then rely more on printed diagrams during scouting.... A little more time efficent... And I also encourage focussing on scouting technique as outlined in my Hance Rapid segemnt, making sure all rowers are engaged in the discussion during scouting.

[@davidbaker2857]

This is so incredibly valuable, well done, well researched, entertaining. Bravo. I have a feeling this will help thousands of boaters for years to come. We cannot thank you enough!

[@Shark-Malark]

AGREE 200%!!!!!

[@chrisavila2788]

This is a gift. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and experience.

[@TylerGrant]

This is an excellent resource not only for Grand Canyon boaters, but for any boater who is learning all the techniques of successfully navigating rapids and minimizing risk. As a first-year boater I found this very helpful. Once I get to the Grand, I will study this again. Thank you!

[@danbev8542]

Excellent video! Your graphics and commentary are perfect. Incredibly valuable information for any Grand Canyon paddlers!

[@davidbishop3374]

This is clearly the best instructional video on rowing the Grand Canyon. It is an instant classic. I will go out on a limb and say this is the best instructional video on rowing big water in existence. I would have loved to have had this available to me before rowing the variable water levels of March 2021 referred to in the video. Although I did not choose the exact lines discussed in the video, the dissection of each rapid is superb.

[@rtennant]

I love that most of your guiding videos, where the guide was nailing the run, were female! I've been a guide since 1978, and I've never had anything but respect for my female fellow guides!

[@MarcHunt]

Appreciate your mentioning this.

[@user-tg1rc4ll2w]

this is amazing. thank you thank you thank you!

[@lesbechdel7886]

This is a great analysis of the big drops and how to run them. I love the raft icons that show the ideal routes. Marc Hunt also offers great safety tips for private river runners doing the Grand Canyon.

[@MarcHunt]

Thanks, Les! For folks that don't know, Les and Slim Ray co-authored a book that should be on your shelves if it is not yet: "River Rescue, a Manual for Whitewater Safety". Les has been a mentor to me for over 40 years, and helped me conceptualize and produce the video.

[@milesmcgeehan2781]

This video and the illustrations were invaluable on our recent trip. Thank you for sharing your knowledge here!

[@bitem13]

Thanks - great tips! FYI, at 19,000 CFS: Good cheats left at Hance left of boulder, and left cheat at Lava. Also left cheat at Granite, but main run was also fine. Right cheat at Crystal was easy. Bedrock was easy. Killer Fang was buried. Hard to miss hole in House, but it wasn't deadly at those flows. Hermit had monster waves. Nevilles and Sockdolager had bigger than expected too.

[@xantan42]

Great video. Helped an entire group remember the last time and better prepare for the next time, march 26.

[@goody061358]

All the good things everyone else has said, times many. Really appreciate the time, thought, and effort you put into this. Taking some folks down the Main Salmon later this year and sending it to everyone. Thanks so much!

[@jsheglund]

I feel like i should be paying for this. top quality. bravo!

[@loreeslack3184]

November will mark my second time down the Grand Canyon on a self rowing boat I’m 52 years old and I’ve been rowing for the last four years and I’m so excited to get back to the Grand Canyon and this video was so informative the first time I swim Crystal my boat didn’t flip but I got thrown out “pride comes before a fall” this video was amazing thank you, I will be sharing with my group and will be watching a few more times before my trip this November what an amazing “Thanksgiving it will be”.

[@kevinalthage9826]

Great super info!

[@DavidBrown-jh3lv]

The is great footage for those of us who will probably not ever get there again. Its well done and entertaining to boot.

[@WotterOtter]

Excellent work, Marc! This a fantastic resource for Trip Leaders, Rowers and participants alike. So thorough.

[@mokimissteps4265]

Appreciate you putting this together!

[@jimbeard8947]

Hey, nice tutorial. My first GC trip was while hiking over to L. Colorado via the Tanner Trail, and I hitched a ride overnite on a commercial two-snout group. Got to run thru Hance, and hiked out next morning. This was in mid-70's. Then, in 1980 I was invited, along with a friend, along on a sibling's geology research trip and we hiked down S. Kaibab, and came out Havasupai 7 days later then hitched back home to Flagstaff. One of the raft owners let me row some and taught me some tricks. Then, I bought the same sibling's new replacement Udisco and all the gear and lied like a burglar and got a permit for 1981, finding people I didn't know with rafts and probably all with more experience than I. So we went down in October and two of us, out of three, on my raft same thru Crystal and the woman stayed put and waited to be rescued with raft full of water and we were pulled out below. So friends and I from that trip went on to do more trips thru the 80's and early 90's until I quit and sold all my gear. We got to do the GC in 1983 and the NPS closed the river after we launched, in June I think, for a week. Dick McCallum launched just before us. We found it fun as most every rapid was covered over and we could make our river miles in very few hours each day so could have more layover or hiking days. We quickly learned about the only rapids we needed to scout were the big three: Hance, Crystal, and Lava, with a few more thrown in for good measure. The ranger at Crystal told us about the "passengers must walk" and we laughed and told him we were all passengers, and all rowers. I did a strong downstream ferry perpendicular to the standing 'V' wave on top right, went over it, and was swept over to the right of center for a very nice ride on down. One of our rowers goofed and went down the middle just fine, though he probably had to change his diaper later. In Lava we all went far left as I had done already earlier after some advice, or comments from a woman commercial guide. I went on to raft commercially in Durango for about 5 summers and this helped me on subsequent GC trips because reading and reacting to the river was automatic. Plus I'd built up the strength to do a very powerful forward ferry without standing up. And the concept of standing up to scout as approaching a rapid was standard for us in the following years. My first trip one guy had his raft smunched up in Hance so I decided to portage the left side which was fairly easy with guys on shore with ropes, etc. And years later I flipped, being solo, in 24 but was soon rescued by friends. Then I rearranged my gear and that helped. That was in my Maravia self-bailer. My old Udisco actually made it down I think three GC's and a San Juan, Dolores, etc. before I sold it. And BTW in those years you could take dogs on the San Juan and it was before the dam on Dolores. Usually we went down to Pierce F and we would bring along a 3 hp outboard motor, tie our rafts together and motor out across the lake, even sometimes at night with no moonlight. I wound up with 12.5 GC raft trips before quitting. Now I live close to the SJ river in Bluff but no longer raft. And in those years the permit system for the G.C was very easy to work, and that's why we managed a trip a year, focusing on April soon as the best time. We never, subsequently, had any real issues with our rafts, people, or whatever, (Or not much, anyway). But my learning experience was on the river, and rowing daily on the Animas helped enormously, sometimes I'd do 3 short trips a day, or drive the bus or van when not rowing. Anyway, cheers. Jim Beard

[@UTSTLHDR]

Outstanding! Thanks for putting it together!

[@Kernriver]

This is such a good video. Thanks Marc

[@NEENEEx5]

I’ve been down twice on private trips with folks who ran the river every summer. My husband is with a group right now. 6 rafters washed out at Georgie this afternoon. Found your video as I’m at home getting texts. Thank you for helping me visualize the action on the Colorado as they move down the river.

[@christicruickshank5419]

Words can barely describe how awesome and helpful this video is. Super thoughtful, great videos. Thank you so much!

[@dolemite6767]

Awesome video! Well done Marc!

[@scotthartman1691]

Really nice compilation!!!

[@williamdeutschman4020]

This is a fantastic video. As an educator who makes a lot of these for my students, I fully appreciate how much time and effort it took to make this. Thank you!

[@astro_bunn]

Really appreciate you making this! So helpful!

[@angstrom102]

Super!!! Thanks so much!

[@MikeSawyerwhitewater]

Most excellent.

[@ConnorDonovan]

Great video and commentary! Those velocity maps looked really neat.

[@Kayakmedic]

Great Video! One of the best instructional Grand videos ever

[@jbrentricks3322]

Great analysis, thank you mucho!

[@WoutervanTiel]

This is great! We're going next week. I won't be rowing but this allows me to see what they are doing and understand the dynamics of the river. It's fantastic!

[@tjw27529]

This is Fabulous!!! What a great resource. 👍

[@paulvannoy8872]

Incredible video!!

[@middleburyenvironmentalgeo8552]

Incredibly well done on every level. Articulate, simple, great use of graphics/videos.

[@kirkkeller2871]

Professional! Well done. Wow. Learning so much. You have done a great job with supportive imagery. Learning a lot even if I never get to the Grand. Thank you!

[@justincullars4835]

Thanks Mark! This will be very helpful for our Nov. 2021 trip!

[@eddaugherty794]

This is really fantastic Marc! What a gift to Canyon rowers. Sure wish I had been able to study this in 1988!

[@andycunningham6757]

Thanks Marc. I'm trip leader on my first canyon trip in April 2022 and looking forward to it. Getting major help on planning with a friend of mine who has been down multiple times. And have the trip populated with veteran rowers. Thank you for the efforts you have made here making this video and attachments. I will definitely use them!

[@tomjenni1555]

Thank you! You have just added to my confidence as I prepare for my first GC trip.

[@paddlingjourney1450]

Thank you for making this amazing video!

[@leabethcampbell381]

Best video ever, on reality of river. Thank you!

[@elizabethandre5079]

Thank you for this. I shared it with a professor of Physics at Northland College who is going to use it for his "Ideas of Physics" class, that is for non-majors and is physics without all the math :)

[@MarcHunt]

Elizabeth, thank you for this. A physics professor taking my work seriously is about the best complement I've gotten!

[@cq7415]

Good information. Thanks.

[@steveholder7289]

Great vid. Glad you talked about 209. Had a buddy do a complete end-o in it with an 18ft boat. Was like watching a whale breach from down stream.

[@rosep3106]

Thank you for this amazing resource.

[@stevetomb5034]

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

[@barrettheywood7826]

Marc, this is awesome! What a great resource.

[@MarcHunt]

Thanks, Barrett. So glad to see on FB that you and your gang continue to get out on rivers!

[@jenk3326]

Thank you for sharing. This is such an amazing resource. I am grateful for all the time and effort that you put into it.

[@WallyMacfarlane]

Mark, thank you very much for your excellent video. It will be so useful for our upcoming Grand trip in September. I owe you one. Cheers,

[@tommayes4533]

PHENOMENAL COVERAGE AND DEPTH.Very pro

[@jambianibob]

This is a superb resource. Wish we had had it before running the Grand.

[@lukasholt6113]

This is truly priceless information. Thank you Marc. I have been down 3 times and have a 4th trip next summer and can't wait to put these into practice rowing for the first time the whole way down!

[@allan6344]

Nice work. Excellent comment about the learning curve and years between runs. One scouting trick I learned (the hard way) as a kayaker is to stop and look back at your line/landmarks as you are descending the trail back to the boats from your vantage point. The obvious boulder from a vantage point is a small hump at water level from upstream. I've only raft now but I can clearly remember being on Granite in the entry rollers not sure if I was in the right spot until I crested the wave.

[@vedere101]

Outstanding job, so many angles and graphics and considerations all backed up by a deep pool of experienced guides who contributed. The downloadable pdf file is the final piece of thoughtfulness. I'm taking a laminated version down with me next month. Cheers!

[@MarcHunt]

Ave a great trip and pls let me know how it plays out...

[@GearGarageTV]

This is so awesome. Thank you for putting this together.

[@Tastewithnewdrinks]

Great video, keep going.😍

[@LenDaxx]

This is a remarkable accomplishment.

[@csweet207]

Definitely using these resources for my Feb. rowing trip. Thank you for providing this!

[@MarcHunt]

Thanks, best of luck for weather and good runs, and please let me know how the trip goes

[@sunriserd]

So helpful and so timely. I launch on my first GC trip on Sunday!

[@MarcHunt]

Chris - Would love to hear how the trip goes and if this video helped out at all... thanks....

[@jonsnider3084]

Marc. This is simply outstanding in every way. Thanks so much for contributing this. We’ve probably crossed paths in the distant past. First on many Ocoee trips in the late 70’s after #2 went down for repair (and Dave Brown helped to keep it open), later training at NOC and on upper Ocoee slalom runs. Again, really well done!

[@MarcHunt]

Jon - Thanks for those nice words. I've enjoyed putting this project together. Your name definitely rings a bell, and I am glad you are still in the sport! PS - You should get David Brown's new book about that battle for the Ocoee. It's called "Whitewater Wars", and is available on Amazon.

[@BudgetAdventure]

amazing valuable video

[@Shark-Malark]

This is FANTASTIC! Thank you so so much for producing this. This is the way my brain works, I could watch this 100x and not get sick of the info. Thank you!

[@MarcHunt]

Wow, thank you Delilah! It's been a joy assembling and sharing this.

[@ColinPittendrigh]

Good work. Just what a duffer needs.

[@pikespeakriverrunners8458]

Wow, I've been rowing the Grand since late 1980's. This explains it perfectly. I've tried to explain the "grand canyon" downstream ferry for years, but this does it perfectly. I use the downstream ferry on many other rivers/rapids (Rubber on MF, big water on Main, etc....). Such a smooth move.

[@fattkelso]

I love the commentary you added on my footage of dropping into horn creek when my oar jerks me forward. Ive had that happen more then once!

[@MarcHunt]

I was living your experience with you as I watched and commented! I am so grateful to you and all the other contributors - I feel like I have spent part of every day the last several weeks inside the Canyon experience.

[@gailoss5919]

Marc, I'm going from rowing Main Salmon in moderate- high flow (really more moderate I'm sure) to being invited to row on the GC in exactly 2 months. I found your video to be incredibly valuable as I become more confident about this trip. Thank you for this well-produced, well-researched, well-documented video. I'm very impressed at the quality of the tools you incorporated, thank you.

[@MarcHunt]

Gail, you are most welcome. Producing it was a joy, and I am so glad people are finding it useful. I hope you have a great trip!

[@MarcHunt]

Update - Links for download of the PDF file of all rapid diagrams plus a lower-res 1GB mp4 copy of this video (for portability) are now posted in the description section above.

[@brianhanson1048]

Good video, the hardest thing with rowing the Grand for people that are used to rowing small creek rivers is the speed of the water and the big water. Once you do the row the Grand it will spoil you and that's all you will ever want to row.

[@gumwap1]

One note on Upset, I’ve seen an upstream ferry work just fine for the right run, but better at water levels high enough start farther right in the shallows.

[@GarrettMorrow]

very cool!

[@GarrettMorrow]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/h5bEiHydhNlgr7c

[@GarrettMorrow]

What not to do at Bedrock kzbin.info/www/bejne/nJuXkqaYnrZ1rtE and what not to do at LAVA kzbin.info/www/bejne/iHyXkqV8irppeMU

[@MarcHunt]

Hey, adding a note here about the downstream ferry... lot's of positive comments about the benefits of it, and a few comments about how some folks struggle and are unable to make it work when they really need it. Two points: 1) It takes practice! Practice on your home river, practice rowing backwards on flatwater even helps a lot, and if still learning, lots of practice on the GC before arriving at House Rock Rapid. 2) Use the downstream ferry as your primary method to move across current and especially current differentials, even in riffles and Class II water. It is simply the most efficient way to move, and the more you use it, the more comfortable you'll get with it. A common mistake would be to consider it a technique that you pull out of your bag only when the stakes are high.

[@bobk2966]

Couldn't agree more, the stronger you get the more you're going to benefit from this maneuver, especially the first two days on the river, bust your ass and get it into shape it'll pay off every day incrementally I should go down the river

[@bobk2966]

The person could not have sent it better get off your ass and practice before House Rock whether it be months before weeks before or hours before do it

[@chrisbare3181]

A very large thank you to you and your contributors. This resource is just what a 1st-time GC rower, like myself, can benefit from. I watched a different lava video with an oarsman executing the right to left, just as you describe, and he was able to continue pushing with the leftward angle and dodge big kahuna and cheese grater’s lateral wave, altogether.

[@MarcHunt]

Thanks, and glad you find it helpful. Would enjoy watching that video you referenced if you can share the link.

[@chrisbare3181]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/iWe4ZWuDn7ebhck&feature=share The run I mentioned starts at 2:00 into the video. They just barely get far enough left, and this particular level seems to provide a relatively smooth line, once they get through the left side of V-wave.

[@MarcHunt]

Great vid - some great lines rowed here. I love the patience and timing. As for getting left of Big Kahuna, that is really hard to make happen!

[@csiebester]

This is phenomenal. I have saved this to review before my next trip. I would love to see the addition of Killer Fang Falls which I consider quite a scary rapid.

[@MarcHunt]

Thank you!

[@rcarrollcb]

We launched June 6, 2021 and the advice on these lines is really fantastic, especially for a small woman who has not rowed a big boat in decades. Bedrock at low water still proved difficult, but all my other lines were perfect. Thank you!

[@MarcHunt]

Rosemary, thank you so much for this compliment. My hope of course has been that folks could put this stuff to use down there in real life. And yeah, Bedrock is a special challenge at low flow...

[@rcarrollcb]

@@MarcHunt I did not maintain the recommended downstream ferry angle and ended up left. My error, but with 3 high sides I kept the boat upright. And most excellent closing shot with Red Lady in the background (my home). Again, thank you from all our trip.

[@MarcHunt]

@@rcarrollcb Glad Bedrock turned out okay in the end! I've been spending a month an more each of the past six winters in CB. Ski bummed there a bit when I was in my 20s. Lots of good friends among the locals scene. Shot the opening scene of myself here at home in AVL, then was in CB for several weeks where I did the editing, and was stoke to go shoot the closing scene from near Snodgrass trailhead to wrap it up. Might bump into you around there next winter!

[@rcarrollcb]

@@MarcHunt small world! Track me down when in town next winter. I ski a lot.... :-)

[@scottdavis9057]

Ditto on all the positive comments everyone else has posted!

[@MarcHunt]

Thank you Scott as this, coming from you, is a real honor!

[@MattTiedemann]

This is an incredible resource. Just got off an April 2021 trip and this was invaluable to me. I have a lot of experience in technical water but not much in big water like the Grand Canyon, so I was nervous going in. This video made the rounds just a couple weeks before our launch and it proved to be nearly spot on for every rapid it describes. I had a copy of the PDF and the video saved to my phone to re-visit as needed. Navigated all the rapids without incident, and this video was key for a number of them in identifying the "ideal" line. Thank you so much, Marc. Are you accepting contributions for your time, or at the very least, beer money?!?

[@MarcHunt]

Matt - Thanks for these nice words. I've been eager to hear from folks who actually take the diagrams and video along on the trip. So glad it proved valuable in real time. For me, it was a joy to put together. No need to send me money, but if you do want to honor my effort, consider a generous donation and membership in americanwhitewater.org That organization does seriously great work to protect and ensure access to our rivers.

[@MattTiedemann]

@@MarcHunt You bet. It was super helpful to have them with me to reference. I suggest printing the PDF on rite-in-the-rain paper, held up great. I just became a member of american whitewater to honor your great work. Thanks again!

[@jbrentricks3322]

There is an arrow to the right of the Title/description of the video. Click there for access to pdf and video. Thanks Marc!!!

[@aaronjohnson9634]

this is super helpful..... similar to the diagrams in the Colorado River Briefs. Marc do you have diagrams for other rapids? Grapevine, Socdolager, etc....

[@MarcHunt]

Aaron - thanks... no, all the diagrams I have are included. My hope - and I sorta say this in the video - is that folks will focus on what I am offering as a means to improve skills, not only in rowing but in scouting and reading water on the fly and reacting, so that all those other rapids become more accessible and easier to manage. In other words, kinda hoping to "teach people to fish" here... It's always been my instructing philosophy...

[@BeerTripsBeerTours]

Oars are the most honest things...

[@matthewfahey]

I’ve wanted to make something similar for years. Just stumbled upon it. You put a lot of work into this Marc. I worked down there for 25 years. The downstream ferry angle was the most important thing I learned. I appreciate that you recognize its importance and have shared this with the boating public. It’s not as important on smaller technical rivers as it is in big water. How long did it take you to make this?

[@MarcHunt]

Thanks Matt. Making this thing became a COVID project for me. After a couple years of thinking about it, I started assembiling in Nov., 2020, and finished in March, 4 months later. I'm guessing I have about 150 hours in it. A lot of it was finding and getting permission to use video clips. I also started with limited editing skills in Premier Pro, so def some hours spent in that learning curve. Started out thinking of something simplre and limited. Obviously, it became a "textbook in video clothing..."

[@matthewfahey]

@@MarcHunt I’m also a filmmaker. So as someone with a foot in both worlds, I have to say you did a great job.

[@TypeIIAdventures]

I've got the mistake you mention on Georgie's rapid on video. I wasn't quite square and it tried to flip me.

[@stevethomas760]

Is this the Marc Hunt of Sunburst Ocoee fame?

[@MarcHunt]

Sunburst Ocoee infamy.... yes...

[@stevethomas760]

@@MarcHunt Thinking that David Dostal told me you recently did a Grand Canyon trip. Steve Thomas, coming from the older I get the better I was desk

[@MarcHunt]

@@stevethomas760 Great connecting here, and I hope you are well!

[@stevethomas760]

@@MarcHunt Doing ok. Looks like you are still living the dream. Great interview with Les.

[@northernAT]

Amazing content and production value, well done! question: (as a Experienced larger volume class IV rafter from NW British Columbia) why does no one wear helmets? raft flips or violently tossed oars are serious business and I'm used to helmeting up for 100% of pushy water even on lower class III rapids.

[@MarcHunt]

Aaron - Thanks for the nice words. I am seeing more and more folks using helmets, usually putting them on in the larger rapids. Helmets were hardly ever used traditional down there, and I suspect old habits are slow to change in this case. I agree that they should be part of the drill though. ~~Marc

[@jbrentricks3322]

Marc, I would love to get that PDF, but can't locate it. Help?

[@MarcHunt]

Brent - See if this will work: scroll up just above these comments. There is a section just below my name that you can expand. Do that and scroll down to where you see the links to the pdf of diagrams and also a low-res downloadable copy of this video. Shout back if that does not work. Thanks for embracing the project....

[@henryralston2814]

How about low 8k-4k range?

[@MarcHunt]

Range for Oct., 2021, is to be 6K - 9K, and Oct. generally offers the lowest flows of the year. Continued drought could of course make it lower next year. The rapids that get more challenging at lower flows are House Rock, 24-Mile, Horn Creek, and Bedrock. Lava gets easier. As we emphasize in the video, scout carefully.

[@henryralston2814]

@@MarcHunt Thanks Marc!

[@nimrodkapas7691]

How different are the skills required for running these rapids with a motorized raft? I think there is a danger to damaging the propeller of the motor.

[@MarcHunt]

I've done one motorized private trip, and talked a bit with the boatman about routes, techniques, etc. Routing is similar, more anticipation required, and you are correct, avoiding damaging props and the motor is a big thing. Sounds like the learning curve for driving a motor at the lower water levels we are seeing typically involves a few prop replacements.

[@hntrains2]

This is quite long (curious to know what the average watching time is), but, when you are both experienced and passionate, there is a lot to say - and everything is important to share when considering other people's safety and enjoyment. Lots of mistakes are made on the river; that happens because the river is stronger, the billows, wilder than they appear to be in any kind of video showing the river. Still, the river is manageable; and those boats, so big and heavy, they're as safe as cars on a highway. Safer? Probably so! ;)

[@MarcHunt]

Risks in running the rapids of the Canyon are much higher than automobile travel. 3 whitewater drownings in the Grand Canyon in last 20 months - out of maybe 350,000 river users during that time. There is no reporting or documentation of "close calls", but there are a good number of those.... Likelihood of such accidents are significantly reduced with improved skills and awareness. Yeah, it's a long movie - intended to be more of a video textbook than a quick view... Thanks for watching.

[@hntrains2]

@@MarcHunt, thank YOU for sharing! The river could be deadly to those not experienced enough and careless. Hopefully, purely enthusiastic people never row it alone!

[@hntrains2]

@@MarcHunt, 350,000 people in less than two years! How immensely popular rowing rapids has become!

[@survivalgoldhunter]

Looks like you just kinda go with the flow.... Just saying

[@gschroeder5646]

Thanks so much for the time you put into this. I'm about to do my second trip, after a hiatus of 7 years, and this is boosting my confidence.