This report just in from Stookesberry:
Yesterday the 4th of March, 2009, Brazilian kayaker and fellow Brazil World Record Attempt Expedition member Pedro Olivia shattered the existing world record (108 foot or 33 meter) with a 38. 7 meter (127 foot) waterfall descent on a tributary to the Amazon on the Rio Sacre in Campos Novos, Mata Grosso, Brazil.
His 2.9 seconds of pure freefall sent Pedro rocketing into the pool at right around 70 miles per hour in his Jackson Kayak Rocker. Although people have certainly perished upon hitting a pool of water from such heights, the team counted on the massive, gushing rivers of Central Brazil to produce the softest water landings on earth. This particular falls was nearly a foot ball field in width, with approximately 5000 cfs of crystal clear 70 degree rain water spilling over the lip.
This meant that although Pedro´s boat went over vertical, he and his boat were swept and kept intact into a deep mist filled pool. In fact, Pedro resurfaced behind the falls were he was able to right himself with his hands on a conveniently located boulder bar. The place is truly beyond description, and I guess that is why it is aptly named Salto Belo or Beautiful falls.
Stookesberry’s team also includes Jesse Coombs (USA), Rafael Ortiz (Mex) and Chris Korbulic (USA). They’re filming for Hotel Charley Volume 4: At Your Own Risk.
