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

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Published 2014-07-07

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 Youtube channel to keep up with our latest adventure videos.
Music: Strike-Stryv soundcloud.com/stryvmusic

All Comments (21)

@leannalbertoni6008 2 years ago

The log was over the top crazy... way to not get destroyed by that ... wow
@joeblo6054 4 years ago

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
@zyzz7119 6 years ago

Rest In Peace he used to come to my dads restaurant every day
@k9_1008 6 years ago

amazing to see such a humble pro. most get lost in their ego trip
@Tamme1966 10 years ago

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.
@WuTangChillaBee 6 years ago

I met Sam in Norway while paddling more ridiculous whitewater, he was genuine and down to earth, fun and intelligent. Sad loss RIP fella
@sibrilliant 6 years ago

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.
@zacharydavis1444 6 years ago

What an amazing paddler/person/influence we're miss you.
@KyleKovalikSongs 10 years ago

Awesome stuff Sam! Living vicariously through your paddling. Keep it going.
@madykz101 2 years ago

What a legend, this takes incredible skill. So sorry to hear he passed RIP
@eneveasi 1 year ago

awesome dude!!
@peterstacy123 9 years ago

Amazing skills, great video!
@gaylewilliams4805 5 years ago

That was an amazing run. I've never been in water like that. RIP
@bess-ica7606 4 years ago

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
@perapetrovic2038 3 years ago

Bravo Doctore !!!!!
@4GUESTS 7 years ago

very well done. Love the scene changes. Favorite always is the gopro in front up close.
@galenaskye5148 6 years ago

Rest in peace you legend.
@ericdavidson9381 8 years ago

Nice job!
@nullbite5189 5 years ago

I'm used to creeking, those high-flow rapids look pretty crazy XD PS. Nice boofing
@hafa2011 3 years ago

It's a extremely different level of daring sports