Tumwater Solitude: Sam Grafton Kayaks Wenatchee River Class V and V+

Tumwater Canyon is among some of the biggest roadside whitewater sections anywhere. Located just out of Leavenworth, Washington, the Wenatchee River carves a 6000 foot deep gorge though solid granite. Class V and Class V+ is just steps from the guardrail. We followed 23 year old Sam Grafton as he lapped this big water section all by himself. Despite the guardrail approach and a state full of world class boaters, Sam could not get paddling partners for this section. As of this date, Sam has ran Tumwater's big water 37 times this year, mostly solo. Subscribe to our KZbin channel to keep up with our latest adventure videos.
Music: Strike-Stryv / stryvmusic

[@madykz101]

What a legend, this takes incredible skill. So sorry to hear he passed RIP

[@Chompchompyerded]

There are old kayakers, and bold kayakers, but there are no old bold kayakers. RIP Sam.

[@zacharydavis1444]

What an amazing paddler/person/influence we're miss you.

[@zyzz7119]

Rest In Peace he used to come to my dads restaurant every day

[@bess-ica7606]

Just getting into the sport and I’ll be lucky to be half this good. Thing with water from what I can tell, you’ll never run the same line twice and it’s always different. Amazing vid, makes me sad to hear about the loss of what seems to be a great guy and a amazing athlete

[@sibrilliant]

That was awesome glad to have seen this guy just rip down that canyon. Also for anybody that thinks kayaking is just pointing your bow down the river, remember that this expert just drowned this February.

[@broadcasttttable]

Details on his death...where, when, river circumstances?

[@deadshot4245]

Dude had balls of steel

[@pedroaragao5977]

Terrible loss. Rest in peace. Condolences for family

[@WuTangChillaBee]

I met Sam in Norway while paddling more ridiculous whitewater, he was genuine and down to earth, fun and intelligent. Sad loss RIP fella

[@dereksmith8165]

@stevo6891died in a strainer on Ernie’s canyon in Washington. He was a legend. You can look it up on American whitewater accident reports for more details.

[@dereksmith8165]

@stevo6891 it is dangerous but there are very many runs that do not pose serious risks and are tons of fun. Definitely don’t let stories like this deter you. Ernie’s is one of the hardest class V runs in the pnw, even pro kayakers need to be on their game. Ww Kayaking is the most fun thing in the world to me.

[@leannalbertoni6008]

The log was over the top crazy... way to not get destroyed by that ... wow

[@k9_1008]

amazing to see such a humble pro. most get lost in their ego trip

[@peterstacy123]

Amazing skills, great video!

[@hectatusbreakfastus6106]

I like how the fish are like "WHAT THE FUCK DID I GET MYSELF INTO!!!!" He's like "Yeah Boiii" Seriously though that's some scary ass water. RIP.

[@Tamme1966]

Sam you make it look so fun and easy. I'm so glad to have met such a humble person. When you make it big time remember the little people. Thanks for always being a safety kayaker back in the day on the Skykomish river. You are one of the reasons I felt safe if I ever swam. Keep up the awesome work and may God continue to watch over you while your on the river.

[@pharma37]

Tamme Russell RIP Sam

[@joeblo6054]

It’s rare to have such great video of a river run like this at two minutes nine seconds he sees he’s getting ready to have a big impact and he doesn’t take it passively, he drives into it with his head and meets it with a force as well. Rest in peace thanks for teaching

[@jaydubs6354]

He passed away?

[@Chompchompyerded]

Chasing a log the size of a tree down the river... Wow! And yikes! Logs aren't exactly the kind of paddling partner you want, and it tells you just how big that water is.

[@broadcasttttable]

Got a question for paddlers out there...in serious whitewater like this, doesn't look like there's time to set up, body leaning forward and sweeping back with a paddle to execute a roll. Whatever side you're on, all you have time to do is bring the flat of the paddle down hard and snap your hips...is that correct?

[@4GUESTS]

very well done. Love the scene changes. Favorite always is the gopro in front up close.

[@travismickelson9011]

Hopefully no one ever watches this video and thinks running tum water caynon is possible. People need to know this guy was world class. If you attempt to run this is a raft or cataraft you will die! If you go into that river and wash away from your boat you qre a dead man and doesn't matter even with life jacket. Creature crafts have made this run but raft is designed to be able to flip whike keeping oarsman above the water and strapped in. Unless you are one of the best kayaker in the world or own a Creature craft and have balls of steel. Do not think you can run this part of the river!

[@KyleKovalikSongs]

Awesome stuff Sam! Living vicariously through your paddling. Keep it going.

[@mountainstomarshes8966]

holy shit that dude is a maniac haha. Epic!

[@galenaskye5148]

Rest in peace you legend.

[@galenaskye5148]

Theo James He got caught in some rapids near North Bend, WA and drowned a few years ago.

[@OneSon744]

I'll stay on terra firma. That is commitment. May the Lord guide you and protect us all.

[@nullbite5189]

I'm used to creeking, those high-flow rapids look pretty crazy XD PS. Nice boofing

[@hafa2011]

It's a extremely different level of daring sports

[@eneveasi]

awesome dude!!

[@rrseitz1306]

Rest easy brother.

[@RajKumar-ur3py]

Sam i m very enterst. Watch your video and you have good line chouse .and you world class paddler..hope next watch see your expedition....in pakistan INDUS RIVER .most powerful for you absolutely get you good experience and so fun .....

[@emanate0]

looks like a good tube run lol

[@jerrywhalen2100]

Nothing like kayaking down the river in a big logs right next to you that alone will keep me out of that River

[@whaleshrimp111]

Big, bad and very dangerous! Best of luck.

[@dianajimenez8649]

how did sam die

[@markmcmyn8967]

Why put your life in unnecessary risk?

[@goji059]

bold move cotton, boating V+ alone

[@kdj_1]

В какой-то момент заметил рядом бревно и как мне кажется это нифига не безопасно ;)

[@equipoleftraruaventura4573]

Brutal.

[@gaylewilliams4805]

That was an amazing run. I've never been in water like that. RIP

[@KayakSoccerDancer]

AMAZING boating, great stuff. May I comment on the production however ? From 1:30-2:15 it feels like you're watching an MTV video with a scene change every 2 seconds, it's as if you're watching a trailer giving tiny snips to tease you to the point of distraction and almost made me stop watching. Luckily the second half it finally calms down and lets you watch. That part right next to the log was crazy.

[@tbpc1]

I'd love to see him attempt the Niagara Falls gorge

[@NoFILanthropy98]

he's dead now

[@wayde947]

It's been done. Bob Glanville and 4 other kayakers back around 1985. The following week Nolan Whitesel did it in an open canoe.

[@rang20300]

I am tring to understand this. its not that it looks easy, but it looks like its just holding on ? does it realy take more skill then running a slower pacing river ? with such powerful water I cant understand what skills got to do with it, it looks like just luck whether you can make it or not.

[@alsekwatt7080]

rang20300 it's takes a huge amount of skill to paddle a river as big as this. These Rapids are big and long and super deadly. If you fuck up and end up in the wrong spot u could easily flush Drown. Staying on line in Rapids like this takes a huge amount of skill and concentration, and even the slightest mistake can put u off line and into a deadly part of the river.

[@k9_1008]

it also takes a lot of balancing skills. I took a major step up from ww2+ to ww4 on a flooded river. got really humbly... (I'm experienced in extrem sports) even going into eddys becomes tricky. so fucked up after about 15 minutes and took a very uncomfortable swim. climbing free solo, 70kmh downhill longboarding etc is nothing compared to this imo.

[@bentrister1573]

Yes it takes a lot of skill. Try a kayak like that on a lake and see if you can even paddle straight. Takes skill, endurance, and a strong mind to deal with paddling rivers like that

[@markburnette465]

If you have little to no skill, just get in a consistent class III river (have rafters / other kayakers for support) and try your luck. If you flip and swim in that, come back to this video and watch and try to imagine that the waves, holes, etc., here are several times larger and more complex than that class III river.

[@whatthe6532]

No Red Bull open face helmets in sight?

[@tmhurley27]

Absolutely legendary. I was watching this, thinking it's not sustainable-sooner or later the dude will die doing this. I was sorry to learn he already has. RIP

[@JS-fq3vo]

Sam's a good heared and hell always be around tomorrow and all month

[@JS-fq3vo]

😄😄

[@tmak4699]

welp...this is one way to get away from the crowds and long lift lines..

[@ThingoftheDeep1]

KEEP KICKING ASS SAM

[@Ярослав-ы8р]

Смельчак! Удачи тебе!

[@chrisriddle1652]

Lc500 rev limiter

[@johnderf577]

Bad azz

[@perapetrovic2038]

Bravo Doctore !!!!!

[@travishalford5223]

Total insanity

[@jackkelly21110]

RIP

[@ericdavidson9381]

Nice job!

[@bjolly8924]

I wonder if this guy is still among the living?

[@MossyRock501]

He's in the Book of Legends now.

[@cyber649]

komonews.com/news/local/kayaker-who-drowned-in-snoqualmie-river-was-volunteer-firefighter-emt

[@whatthe6532]

No Red Bull open face helmets in sight?

[@lorienelozano1090]

i ran these rapids in my rubber dingy, it was intense.

[@lorienelozano1090]

i ran this last week in a tube it was epic

[@Canoer-rk8xg]

Not grade six. Barely even grade 5+