A new short film documenting a few of the paddling exploits by Northwest-based kayaker Rob McKibbin, the first whitewater kayaker to paddle Washington’s 280-foot slide Sunset Falls, debuted in February at the annual SeaGnar film festival.
Nick Hinds’ “The People’s Champ” covers everything from Rob McKibbin’s first run down Sunset Falls to a specific ill-fated attempts at the Top Tye’s Alpine, a clean trip down Log Choke Falls, his first D of Pinnacle Rapid on the Chelan Gorge and his 12,000-cfs attempt in a Dagger Kingpin at Tumwater Canyon’s Class VI Last Exit.
Each of those episodes deposited McKibbin in exceptionally precarious situations. On Alpine Falls, he was stuffed inside a cave formed by the waterfall’s first tier and just above its death slot. On Last Exit, the river deposited him on a mid-stream boulder, neoprene pants yanked to his ankles with his ass pointing toward the traffic on Highway 2. Covering everything from close calls to beatdowns, The People’s Champ is full of hilarious comments, colorful commentary, and quick-witted responses
Through his interview with McKibbin, the film reveals a paddler with a compulsion to attempt ludicrous feats for no other reason than he wanted to.
Rob McKibbin : The People’s Champ from nick hinds on Vimeo.
Real Life McKibbin Anecdote! (from Brad Xanthopoulos)
“In March of 2012, Rob, Joe and I decided we were going to tackle Eagle Creek just outside Portland, OR. Eagle Creek is a hike in waterfall run with the ~100 ft Metlako Falls (86 ft free fall). The plan was to meet at my house, load up, and venture south. Being an outsider looking in you might have thought it peculiar that Rob brought his playboat, however, Joe and I were so used to it we didn’t even hesitate to question Rob’s decision. Rob arrived with the red King Pin that had bitumen roofing material cover 50% of the bottom of the kayak. We wrapped the boat in card board to protect the tar from the car rack and other kayaks. As we arrived at the takeout, tourists were inquisitively looking at us and possibly wondering why one kayak was much smaller and had a lot of tar on the bottom. Joe and I used packs while Rob shouldered. We started at Skoonichuk Falls which Joe ended up running, Rob and I opted out. The creek is very scenic with tiny water falls dropping in from the walls. The next big waterfall is Punchbowl Falls and we were warned of the hit due to the aeration at the top of the falls. Rob went successfully first, there might have been a bloody nose. I, second, came up see stars and Joe cleaned up last. Joe opted to take out after Punchbowl and Rob and paddled down.
Metlako was majestic from hiking trail, but standing at the lip and looking over was when the adrenaline started kicking in. I went first and when Rob saw I was safely swimming to the shore, he was next. As Rob and the King Pin went rolling over the lip, his paddle toss caught an updraft and magically sailed like something lighter than air prior to hitting pool below. Rob hand rolled at the bottom and gathered our belongings and paddled to the takeout. This is the story of The Man The Myth The Legend running Metlako in a King Pin.”
Vid URL Here: https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/801766254