West Fork of the Tuck PFD in my Gnarvana

In whitewater, we have our good days and our bad. We're forced to make difficult decisions... to walk out or press forward? The right choice is known only to the boater.
My first descent down the West Fork of the Tuckasegee River was full of challenges, but it grew me as a person and as a boater. It was full of lessons in whitewater and lessons in life. I know I made plenty of mistakes, but I'm proud of what I accomplished, and I'm grateful for everyone who was there.
I'm also proud of the people I was with. Like I stated previously, in whitewater, we have our good days and our bad. Tyler didn't let the day get him down. Despite everything, he maintained a positive attitude, offered others words of encouragement, and even helped Samantha walk her boat back up.
Which brings me to my next point... It takes a lot of courage and wisdom to know when it's best not to continue a run. It can be one of the hardest decisions a boater can make. Samantha did it with dignity and grace and a humility that should be respected.
More than just awesome boaters, they're awesome people. I'm proud to call them my friends.
Huge thanks to Stephen Carter for guiding me down and putting together a great crew!
All the music featured is performed by Luca Stricagnoli. His channel ⬇️
youtube.com/@L...
#schaeferyaks #yakfam #whitewater #kayaking #westfork #tuckasegee #flightsimulator #fun #friends #pins #rescue #jacksonkayaks #immersionresearch #wernerpaddles #sweetprotection #nrs

[@tobaccoroadadventures]

Looked like a tough start to a great day!!! Good on you guys for hanging in there!🤘🏼

[@huntergipson3447]

That was a fire video and great music ! 🫵🏼🙌🏼

[@SchaeferYaks]

Thank you, my dude! 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@DownstreamV]

love the last of Mohicans music!

[@SchaeferYaks]

It's one of my all-time favorites. With all the slides, it just felt right.

[@twodadskayaking]

I play the Last of Mohicans on the way to paddle. Such a hype song! Flight simulator looks awesome.

[@SchaeferYaks]

Loved that movie growing up! 🤙🏽

[@hunterwhitekayak]

OHHHHH YES!!!! Making sure to be there for this one🔥

[@SchaeferYaks]

🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@fracturedhipster]

Yea Ben! Really liking your long-form vids! The Tuck is my backyard, but the West Fork is still above my paygrade. 2024 is the year I step it up. Thanks for the inspiration. 🫵🏼😎👍🏼

[@SchaeferYaks]

Thank you! Go get it, dude! That's one of my favorites. 🤙🏾

[@followingrj]

💪💪💪

[@SchaeferYaks]

🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@dgiroday1]

Rescue Ron is on deck and crushing it!

[@SchaeferYaks]

🤙🏽🤙🏽🤙🏽

[@chadfowler4761]

Damn, y’all were busy at the beginning there. Glad the run smoothed on out for y’all. Another BIG RUN off the wish list!

[@SchaeferYaks]

Chad! Thanks, man! We need to paddle, dude! 🤙🏽🤙🏽🤙🏽

[@chadfowler4761]

@@SchaeferYaks had back surgery about a month ago. Hoping to get back out there before the end of the year! Look forward to paddling with you my friend!

[@RebeccaBaltich]

That was a wild first couple hundred yards. Glad all are okay.

[@SchaeferYaks]

Yes, sir. It was cool seeing you at the takeout and meeting the wife. 🤙🏽

[@empeiproductions7515]

Great edit bro...wish I couldve been there with you ❤

[@SchaeferYaks]

Next time, my dude! ❤️

[@tmacoutdooring1837]

For the algorithm, that's a fun one. Glad to see you drive away 😢

[@SchaeferYaks]

Next time we'll run it together! ❤️

[@travisstowell7800]

Great stuff.

[@SchaeferYaks]

Thank you, good sir! 🙏🏽

[@Jackson_Burden]

🔥🔥🔥

[@SchaeferYaks]

Thank you, my dude! 🙏🏽

[@Wavetrains]

What was that black custom color Pyranha at the bottom of Flight Simulator??? I need it in my life

[@Wavetrains]

Also is this a Trace Bundy soundtrack? 🔥 🔥 🔥 congrats on your PFD man awesome!

[@SchaeferYaks]

I'm not sure. I considered a custom all red Ripper 2... until I saw the price 😬💩

[@SchaeferYaks]

@@Wavetrains thank you! 🙏🏽

[@Wavetrains]

@@SchaeferYaksawesome PFD video man! Coming back to Montgomery any time soon?

[@SchaeferYaks]

@@Wavetrains probably. I really enjoyed it.

[@GeorgiaPaddler]

Flight Simulator 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼

[@SchaeferYaks]

More like Clinch Simulator 😬🤣

[@Axemanvan]

If my crew beatered that hard I’d find a different crew

[@SchaeferYaks]

Here's the thing, those fellow kayakers that you're disparaging for no reason happen to be very good people and very good boaters. We all have off days. We're supposed to be a community, dude. We build up the sport when we build up each other. I hope you have a crew that's more understanding if you have an off day.