Blast from the Past: Watch Pamela Anderson Paddle the S. Fork American on Baywatch!

Yes, our archivists have dug up that long-lost Season 3, Episode 1 clip of Baywatch in which Mitch takes a trip up to his late uncle’s cabin and someone he hasn’t seen for years catches his eye…Pamela Anderson as Casey “CJ” Jean in her first appearance on Baywatch. Only now, instead of lifeguarding, she’s a kayaker and raft guide on California’s South Fork of the American.

The four-minute clip is actually halfway realistic. It shows CJ kayaking the river’s Troublemaker rapid, and even flipping and executing a pretty fast roll (complete with obligatory facial close-ups). Then it’s onto the boat ramp of EarthTrek Adventures, where Mitch and his son are readying to take a float.

“CJ’s one of our best guides,” the TL quips.

“Good,” replies Mitch, “because we’re not looking for Class I’s and II’s; we want III’s, IV’s and V’s, right?”

“Right,” the son answers.

The clip goes on to the characters outfitted in ExtraSport PFDs, complete with river knives, while guides busy themselves in the background, organizing paddles and the like. At one point, Anderson/CJ even tells the kid to make sure he can’t lift the lifejacket over his head when trying it on. And, in one of her more eyebrow-raising comments, she says, “I know…these vests weren’t designed for women.”

People apparently like her as a river runner, though, with the YouTube clip garnering 3.5 million views. It also has more than 1,000 comments, from those noticing her “playing her saxophone by the river without moving her fingers,” to “That must be some pretty waterproof mascara” and “I bet she thinks my RPM is hot.”