This is the best packrafting video I've seen as far as excitement and showing what a packraft can do....without the elitist undertones that can be intimidating to newbies. I realllllyyyy enjoyed this and got me excited to go out in my new packraft 😊
Steve, the last time a ran Frank Bell's I surfaced just about where you did. That's a requirement to hold your breath for some time. . . That was 25 years ago. Some things never change. hat's off to you!
@@RiverKingsKayak have you done any other packrafting videos? I didn't see any in your collection, but you have a lot of videos to watch!! Currently catching up on your downriver techniques. I haven't found a channel as helpful as yours since the Eric Jackson clips on Paddle Education. Your use of arrows and edited descriptions are spot on. Thank you for the dedication, RK!!
@@RiverKingsKayak you got it! I hope to see you out in it, would love to hear your thoughts on edging it, eddying in & out, and boofing it! Seeing your page is quite inspiring, makes me want to put out informational content. There are a lot of folks nabbing PRs for the first time, and the worry is they don't have proper WW or swiftwater rescue knowledge. All that super stable primary stability builds false security & confidence!
Nice vid. Thanks for taking the time to do the class 4 once more, were looking forward to see it. Sad you did not get the first run on film. Mistakes happens, they are the best part to learn from. Have not done class 4 yet, but looking forward to learn how to ride them.
Thanks Back on Trail! I think the issue comes from my going back and forth from gopro 5 to 7...there are subtle differences and it is user error resulting in thinking I'm filming when I'm not...lol. be safe!
Great video. I like to watch your instructional videos and would love to see some for packrafting. I really liked that were were constantly making sure everyone was ok. Wondering why you aren’t wearing dry suits? Doesn’t that add a lot more risk of hypothermia? I’ll admit I’m not familiar with the locale.
Thanks Carl. It was middle of summer and waaaaay too hot for drysuits...You would pass out from heat casualty. 90 degrees and drysuits don't mix in NC.
Awesome video! So I have just moved to the Cumberland Plateau of TN. Would you recommend a pack raft or a kayak for a beginner/novice to learn to paddle in classI-III. I do plan to actually pack raft at some point but learning ww paddling skills is the first priority. Thanks for your content.
I would say get both! They are very different crafts and while the kayaking would translate to whitewater, the packraft will not really prepare you for a kayak.
Do you get to keep the fleet? I still want to paddle the French Broad section 9. I just paddled the Ocoee back to back days last week for the first time. It is such an awesome river, love the continuous class III whitewater.
If I could pick your brain for a second. The packraft looks so much more stable than a ww kayak, am I correct? second, which do you think is better, self bailing or with a skirt? We are debating getting them & would greatly appreciate any advice you could give.
I think I would go with a skirted and self bailing raft. The skirted boats maintain their performance in the heavier water but do eventually need draining. The self bailers get really bogged down and lose a lot of performance as they slowly drain out...having both would be hands down what I would order...
How would you compare the feel of the pack raft to a kayak? I've thought about buying one before but they're more expensive than a new whitewater kayak. So, I'm hesitant because I'd probably just buy a new kayak, haha.
1stVARifleman - One strong stroke and you’ll spin 180 degrees- there’s no tracking like a kayak- but it bumps off of rocks like a raft- no tipping like a kayak
They are pricey. Really I view them as I do all boats...as a tool. These can do some amazing things that kayaks cannot...and visa versa. They are really really fun though!
@@RiverKingsKayak How do you still like your RPC3 performance tour paddle? Do you recall what the flow was on your trip? I love watching these videos and I use them with other info about the rivers I go on. Thanks again for all you do!
Holly smokes!!! Awesome video, I was on the edge of my seat the whole time!
You gotta go with me next time Josh! You will love it
This is the best packrafting video I've seen as far as excitement and showing what a packraft can do....without the elitist undertones that can be intimidating to newbies. I realllllyyyy enjoyed this and got me excited to go out in my new packraft 😊
Thanks a ton! That is what it is all about!
Steve, the last time a ran Frank Bell's I surfaced just about where you did. That's a requirement to hold your breath for some time. . . That was 25 years ago. Some things never change. hat's off to you!
He did well Fred. And yes, I warned him that if he goes down in there...understand that air will not be available for a little bit...he he he!
I enjoyed the test run, but I can't wait to see the packraft trip y'all are on now! Those things look pretty cool!
Thanks MMTBH! They were a blast! Gatewood and the guys are all sold on them.
Looked like a really good time! The French Broad is awesome!
Thanks KW! You are correct sir!
Really enjoyed that! Reminded me of my usual bass fishing float at Old Greensboro....well sorta....not really. Bonus points for the smallie LOL
LOL! Thanks Steve the Dude!
Great video. Thanks for hiking back up
Thanks! You bet!
Best kayaking channel out there . Many thanks :)
Thanks Faley
More videos like these please, love it.
Thanks Andreas!
Man, running nice-sized rapids and you even did some rolls in that other video!! Thanks for the heads up on these clips. Lot of fun to watch so far
Thank you!!
@@RiverKingsKayak have you done any other packrafting videos? I didn't see any in your collection, but you have a lot of videos to watch!! Currently catching up on your downriver techniques. I haven't found a channel as helpful as yours since the Eric Jackson clips on Paddle Education. Your use of arrows and edited descriptions are spot on. Thank you for the dedication, RK!!
@@KCCNYwhitewater thanks a ton!! Unfortunately I have not done any other trips yet. I would like to do more though!
@@RiverKingsKayak you got it! I hope to see you out in it, would love to hear your thoughts on edging it, eddying in & out, and boofing it! Seeing your page is quite inspiring, makes me want to put out informational content. There are a lot of folks nabbing PRs for the first time, and the worry is they don't have proper WW or swiftwater rescue knowledge. All that super stable primary stability builds false security & confidence!
@@KCCNYwhitewater thanks! Do it!!!
Omg this looks amazing! I would love to do this trip! So cool
Thanks Bomchell Belle!
That looks awesome! And you catch a fish!
Thanks JATiede! You get lucky sometimes!
Nice vid. Thanks for taking the time to do the class 4 once more, were looking forward to see it. Sad you did not get the first run on film. Mistakes happens, they are the best part to learn from. Have not done class 4 yet, but looking forward to learn how to ride them.
Thanks Back on Trail! I think the issue comes from my going back and forth from gopro 5 to 7...there are subtle differences and it is user error resulting in thinking I'm filming when I'm not...lol. be safe!
This is cool Pete! I’m excited to hear your thoughts on the pack rafting experience
Thanks man! We Loved it!!
River Kings those pack rafts are just screaming for a river kings trip down the Bluestone River
@@explorism7716 thanks for the tip! I am going to check that out
Very cool! Great video guys!
Thanks Canadian! It was a fun one!
Great video. I like to watch your instructional videos and would love to see some for packrafting. I really liked that were were constantly making sure everyone was ok. Wondering why you aren’t wearing dry suits? Doesn’t that add a lot more risk of hypothermia? I’ll admit I’m not familiar with the locale.
Thanks Carl. It was middle of summer and waaaaay too hot for drysuits...You would pass out from heat casualty. 90 degrees and drysuits don't mix in NC.
Those look like really fun boats! Great video. You going to do a review on these at some point?
Thanks! And yes
Man... Shane missed out on this trip. I feel like I did too. That scared me when I didn’t see Steve pop back up out of the water.
It can get a little sporty in the big water! We will get Shane up there too!
Awesome video! So I have just moved to the Cumberland Plateau of TN. Would you recommend a pack raft or a kayak for a beginner/novice to learn to paddle in classI-III. I do plan to actually pack raft at some point but learning ww paddling skills is the first priority. Thanks for your content.
I would say get both! They are very different crafts and while the kayaking would translate to whitewater, the packraft will not really prepare you for a kayak.
Fun stuff
Thanks PW!
Do you get to keep the fleet? I still want to paddle the French Broad section 9. I just paddled the Ocoee back to back days last week for the first time. It is such an awesome river, love the continuous class III whitewater.
Section 9 is such a fun run, and so scenic! One day I’ll run the whole thing upright....
Looks like an awesome trip. What kind of boats were those? Can you share a link to them if you don’t mind?
Thanks Jeff! They were Alpacka packrafts...I have a link in the video description for you. They are pretty cool!
If I could pick your brain for a second. The packraft looks so much more stable than a ww kayak, am I correct? second, which do you think is better, self bailing or with a skirt? We are debating getting them & would greatly appreciate any advice you could give.
I think I would go with a skirted and self bailing raft. The skirted boats maintain their performance in the heavier water but do eventually need draining. The self bailers get really bogged down and lose a lot of performance as they slowly drain out...having both would be hands down what I would order...
How would you compare the feel of the pack raft to a kayak? I've thought about buying one before but they're more expensive than a new whitewater kayak. So, I'm hesitant because I'd probably just buy a new kayak, haha.
1stVARifleman - One strong stroke and you’ll spin 180 degrees- there’s no tracking like a kayak- but it bumps off of rocks like a raft- no tipping like a kayak
They are pricey. Really I view them as I do all boats...as a tool. These can do some amazing things that kayaks cannot...and visa versa. They are really really fun though!
I love it
Thanks Guy!
I am working my way up from a Club 1.5!!!!!!
LOL! Your day is Coming!
Used to live on the French Broad. Where is this section at?
Section 9 which runs from Barnard to Hot Springs
What paddle do you use with your touring kayak?
RPC3 performance tour
@@RiverKingsKayak How do you still like your RPC3 performance tour paddle? Do you recall what the flow was on your trip? I love watching these videos and I use them with other info about the rivers I go on. Thanks again for all you do!
Do you recall what the water level was on the Marshall gauge?
2600
2600
@@RiverKingsKayak Thanks! Nice video & great channel!
Thanks Josh!!
What model was this specifically? One from the Whitewater series? Or a classic? :-)
The green one I was using was the gnarwal ww series
@@RiverKingsKayak thank you!
What was the level that day. 3k?
The Marshall gauge was reading 2600 and dropping slowly
@@RiverKingsKayak That's squirrely level. lol
Pack rafts look like big diapers
LOL!
Poor Steve he’s been taking a lot of abuse lately
He he he. He is gaining a lot of valuable experience from a harsh teacher...the river! He is getting better though!
why y'all busting on my hero Shane like that....lol?
too funny...your sticker is on the way btw...I got super busy and am just sending them out.