Pandemic Throwback: Sun Valley’s Buey Grossman Kayaks North Fork’s Juicer Rapid…Blindfolded (with Updated Vid)

-

- Advertisment -

Kayaking the North Fork of the Payette scares the living daylights out of most boaters.

But during the pandemic, Sun Valley, Idaho, local Buey Grossman ran its Class V Juicer rapid — turning the daylights off intentionally.

Grossman, at the time a high school senior alpine ski racer who qualified for the U.S. nationals this year — only to see them cancelled because of Covid-19 — accomplished the feat as part of a senior project for school and as part of his larger No Barriers Pledge of understanding the difference between danger and fear.

Because of the pandemic, “you could either take classes like normal or do a senior project,” he said in an interview of graduating seniors in Time magazine. “I chose to try to run a Class V rapid blindfolded. First, I started paddling local runs with a visual impairment, and getting down the guiding technique. The biggest takeaway was understanding the difference between perceived danger and actual danger, and being able to cope with the fear you’re feeling, but not let that control you or take over. You have to focus on the actual dangers that are there, and be prepared.”

After a practice run down the mellower South Fork Payette, Grossman, son of renowned Idaho kayaker Jimmy Grossman, then tied his blindfold on and ran Juicer rapid on the North Fork unguided.

Unlike the Grand Canyon heroics of blind kayakers  Erik Weihenmayer and Buddy Levy, as well as Lonnie Dupre, Grossman had seen, and paddled, the run before. While whle Weihenmayer, Levy and Dupre tackled their whitewater literally sight unseen, they had guides with them shouting directions. Unable to see any of the must-miss holes, Buey did his run solo. And he used the feat to help promote Weihenmayer’s No Barrier pledge, encouraging people to pursue their dreams.

“That’s some real courage there,” posted Weihenmayer about the feat. “Way to be. Know it, own it, grow from it.”

Watch video of his run here:

 

 

 

https://youtu.be/2yJD1SN9a1A

Read full article in Time magazine here: https://time.com/5839010/high-school-class-of-2020-coronavirus/

1 COMMENT

  1. Hello,

    My name is Buey Grossman. I was a part of an article you wrote during the pandemic. There was a video attached to the article, but the video has since been taken down. Here is the updated youtube link if you would like to update the link in the article.

    Best,
    Buey

    https://youtu.be/cfiT7S-ANjA

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

- Advertisement -

Latest news

Missing Kayaker Arrested in Georgia After Faking His Own Death By Drowning

Kayaking made the headlines in Georgia recently, but not for the usual reasons. According to a press release issued by...

Paddling, Not Prisoners, Top of Mind for Iran Slalom Kayaker

While the world is wrapped up in the news of the five U.S. citizens being freed from prison in...

The Fantasy Flash: PL Checks In on Dane Jackson’s Speed Run of Cali Classic

The Fantasy Flash, an Edit by Bren Orton Well, he's done it again. Jackson Kayak's Dane Jackson is turning heads...

Level Six Emperor Drysuit Review

By Judah Harms It was day three on the Middle Fork Salmon. After paddling 14 miles to Loon Creek, then...
- Advertisement -

Mtn Goat Movement Getting Kids Out on the Water (and Outside in General)

Greg Morrissey, founder of Mountain Goat Movement, is on a mission. His organization is dedicated to providing transformative adventures for...

Grabner Outside Inflatable Canoe Review

  A PL Peak Inside the Inflatable Grabner Outside Canoe (By Mike Nash) My wife Irene and I are both kayakers...

Must read

Win a DownLoader Kayak Carrier with Tie-Downs from Malone

The DownLoader™ Kayak Rack is Malone's premium all-in one kit...

Missing Kayaker Arrested in Georgia After Faking His Own Death By Drowning

Kayaking made the headlines in Georgia recently, but not...
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -

You might also likeRELATED
Recommended to you