Thursday, May 22, 2014

Stikine training in Tumwater Canyon

Sam Grafton put together an edit showcasing his ongoing Site Zed training.


Get ready to get sick to your stomach as Sam takes you on a POV ride down Tumwater Canyon, top to bottom, at over 10,000 cfs.




Early Season Tumwater Edit from Sam Grafton on Vimeo.

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Sam Grafton runs POW at 6500 cfs




Sam Grafton, Tumwater Canyon Kayaking, Tumwater Canyon, Wenatchee River Kayaking, Kokatat, Sweet Protection, Werner Paddles, Dagger Mamba 8.6, 2014 Dagger Mamba 8.6, New Mamba 8.6, Chaos, POW, Last Exit, The Wall



Sam Grafton is a bit of a Boss around these parts


Sam Grafton, Tumwater Canyon Kayaking, Tumwater Canyon, Wenatchee River Kayaking, Kokatat, Sweet Protection, Werner Paddles, Dagger Mamba 8.6, 2014 Dagger Mamba 8.6, New Mamba 8.6, Chaos, POW, Last Exit, The Wall


This Spring has been off to a slow start in the PNW. Tumwater hasn't hit Nuclear levels yet but it has been hanging arounf the 5-7,000 cfs range for a couple of weeks.



Sam Grafton, Tumwater Canyon Kayaking, Tumwater Canyon, Wenatchee River Kayaking, Kokatat, Sweet Protection, Werner Paddles, Dagger Mamba 8.6, 2014 Dagger Mamba 8.6, New Mamba 8.6, Chaos, POW, Last Exit, The Wall



I was in the area, shaking off the cobwebs and got a call from Sam. He wanted to do a quick Tumwater lap before heading back over the pass. I agreed to the Dam rapid and the Amigos, but decided that Chaos and POW were a bit above my current paygrade.


Sam laughed at me.


Sam Grafton, Tumwater Canyon Kayaking, Tumwater Canyon, Wenatchee River Kayaking, Kokatat, Sweet Protection, Werner Paddles, Dagger Mamba 8.6, 2014 Dagger Mamba 8.6, New Mamba 8.6, Chaos, POW, Last Exit, The Wall




Sam Grafton, Tumwater Canyon Kayaking, Tumwater Canyon, Wenatchee River Kayaking, Kokatat, Sweet Protection, Werner Paddles, Dagger Mamba 8.6, 2014 Dagger Mamba 8.6, New Mamba 8.6, Chaos, POW, Last Exit, The Wall



Sam boated down to POW while I ran shuttle and grabbed my camera. Sam's mom also stopped by to say hello.



Sam Grafton, Tumwater Canyon Kayaking, Tumwater Canyon, Wenatchee River Kayaking, Kokatat, Sweet Protection, Werner Paddles, Dagger Mamba 8.6, 2014 Dagger Mamba 8.6, New Mamba 8.6, Chaos, POW, Last Exit, The Wall


Sam Grafton, Tumwater Canyon Kayaking, Tumwater Canyon, Wenatchee River Kayaking, Kokatat, Sweet Protection, Werner Paddles, Dagger Mamba 8.6, 2014 Dagger Mamba 8.6, New Mamba 8.6, Chaos, POW, Last Exit, The Wall



Sam Grafton, Tumwater Canyon Kayaking, Tumwater Canyon, Wenatchee River Kayaking, Kokatat, Sweet Protection, Werner Paddles, Dagger Mamba 8.6, 2014 Dagger Mamba 8.6, New Mamba 8.6, Chaos, POW, Last Exit, The Wall



Sam Grafton, Tumwater Canyon Kayaking, Tumwater Canyon, Wenatchee River Kayaking, Kokatat, Sweet Protection, Werner Paddles, Dagger Mamba 8.6, 2014 Dagger Mamba 8.6, New Mamba 8.6, Chaos, POW, Last Exit, The Wall



In true Sam form; after I gave him a little bit of grief about not having a beautiful line, he ran it two more times for me so I could shoot photos and some video.



Sam Grafton, Tumwater Canyon Kayaking, Tumwater Canyon, Wenatchee River Kayaking, Kokatat, Sweet Protection, Werner Paddles, Dagger Mamba 8.6, 2014 Dagger Mamba 8.6, New Mamba 8.6, Chaos, POW, Last Exit, The Wall


Water levels are rising; keep your eyes out for some good media coming out of Leavenworth in the near future.


Sam Grafton, Tumwater Canyon Kayaking, Tumwater Canyon, Wenatchee River Kayaking, Kokatat, Sweet Protection, Werner Paddles, Dagger Mamba 8.6, 2014 Dagger Mamba 8.6, New Mamba 8.6, Chaos, POW, Last Exit, The Wall