I originally made this video for trainees trying to become raft guides. Apparently more potential guests are watching than trainees. This is a pretty good example of how I run my trips on the Middle Ocoee.
@@FastFredRuddock I am a private boater and we ran the Ocoee many times in the 90’s. Respecting the river and safety of the paddlers was always paramount. It is obvious you provide a great experience to your clients. Now retired, I miss white water rafting very much.
I’ll never forget falling out at the start of Grumpy’s ledge as a trainee and popping right back in the raft to guide. My trainer was like I have never seen someone fall out there and jump back in the raft. My other trainees in our raft had to swim. Scared the mess out of me. Every time I come back now with my kids I say a little prayer and tell the guide whatever you do DON’T let them fall out! You seem like an amazing guide. Would love to raft with you sometime. We’ll be up there this summer maybe then! Thanks for the videos! Keep them coming!
I had a bad experience on the Rouge river in Oregon as a teen, white water has been a no go since for me. But I enjoy going down the river via UA-cam with you. If I ever get brave enough you would be the guide of choice.
We did this section yesterday. My first time. It was awesome. Fortunately, we didn’t turnover. Definitely gonna do the whole thing one day. Becca was our guide
The family and I will be there for the middle route in a couple weeks. Been digging your videos!! It’s been at least a decade since I’ve been down the Ocoee, and this time the kids are grown so we get to go together! I reserved with Cherokee rafting outpost.
Hey man that looks awesome! We are going to be up there next month. I'd really like to take my family. My question is... I'm a big guy 6'5" 450. Am I able to do it? I feel like I would be fine as far as the strength and endurance goes but are there weight limits?
That is a great question! Only one rafting company on the Ocoee River claims to have a weight limit for clients. I question if they actually weigh and enforce the rule. Fitness is far more important than weight. That said you must fit the PDF (lifejacket) the companies have. The majority of outfitters provide PFDs that will fit a chest of up to 56" Be aware that overall weight and its distribution does impact raft performance and handling. You may learn more on my questions and answers page here fastfreds.com/raft/rafters.html
Some outposts will charge $100 for guide pov videos of one's trip. I generally pass along such videos to my guests free. Although I depend upon tips for my livelihood and each video takes 2 to 3 additional hours of work to produce. This video took about 4 hours of editing work.
@@FastFredRuddock My friends and I went with Quest and had Chad as our guide last Saturday. Caught him in one of your videos. It was awesome. Four day weekend now, and I almost just drove down from Ohio by myself to do it again. lol
You should never drift at Surprise like I did in this video. I was off the sweet spot by about two feet to the left. Maybe I will shoot a new video someday. However learning to unpin here is important.
I noticed you don't seem to be traveling down the river with a pod of other rafts from the same company. Is this normal on the ocoee? Here in California travel as a pack/pod and have pretty tight boat spacing to pick up swimmers.
We stop and set safety as needed more so than rolling safety. However this video was shot in the early season when trips were very small. I may have been running point with the other rafts behind me.
Southeastern rivers are much more technical than California. This spacing on the Ocoee is a balance. If too tight pile ups occur especially amount newer guides or those new to the southeast.
Very nice guide/rapid line video. Quesion for ya: I only run this about 4-5 times a year (raft)...I got all the bigger rapids down, but for some reason, Slice and Dice always makes for a hard hit, although not technical at all. I see the 2 o'clock angle , but which is the preffered raft line, the exact line you took off that rock in center/right, or the one the green raft in front of you took about 10' left of that? Just asking in case I have any "delicate cargo" in the boat.
Any where between my line and the green rafts line is good to go. If you want a less rowdy line you can go much closer to the river left side and avoid the ledge all together. Be aware there is a hazard just to the left of the green boat's line. I hope this helps.
Have you heard of a lost lagoon on the Ocoee? Reportedly it's easy to find, but small. Hides you away from the other paddlers on the river. Out of sight.
@@FastFredRuddock OK, next time down the Ocoee in your kayak,, catch the eddy below the the last ledge at Chicken wing (aka, walk the plank) Immediately paddle to the left edge of the river. You will pass a large rock on your right, turn downstream, go under the tree branch and follow the water. There will be an island on your right, the river bank on your left. At the bottom is a small dam made from floating sticks and other debris. If you get out of your kayak here you can sneak up on kayakers taking a safety break just below this location. Its a long story how I found this place.
The Middle Ocoee is a fun nearly continuos class three ride for five miles. Come hydrated and eat a great breakfast to fuel your day. You should be prepared for about an hour of aerobic and anaerobic exercise. Don't worry there will be many breaks during that hour. Who are you rafting with?
@@FastFredRuddock yeah we did the 10 mile starting up above the damn where ya'll put in and it was our first time ever rafting, we had a bad accident in hell hole at the end too lol
@@Camaron9769 the full river trip including the Upper and Middle Ocoee is ten miles of whitewater fun. First half features class IV and second half features class III.
This video deserves an award.
I hope to make an updated video of the Middle Ocoee rapids soon...
A responsible guide. Thank you.
I originally made this video for trainees trying to become raft guides. Apparently more potential guests are watching than trainees. This is a pretty good example of how I run my trips on the Middle Ocoee.
@@FastFredRuddock I am a private boater and we ran the Ocoee many times in the 90’s. Respecting the river and safety of the paddlers was always paramount. It is obvious you provide a great experience to your clients. Now retired, I miss white water rafting very much.
I’ll never forget falling out at the start of Grumpy’s ledge as a trainee and popping right back in the raft to guide. My trainer was like I have never seen someone fall out there and jump back in the raft. My other trainees in our raft had to swim. Scared the mess out of me. Every time I come back now with my kids I say a little prayer and tell the guide whatever you do DON’T let them fall out! You seem like an amazing guide. Would love to raft with you sometime. We’ll be up there this summer maybe then! Thanks for the videos! Keep them coming!
I would love to show family a good time on the Ocoee.
I had a bad experience on the Rouge river in Oregon as a teen, white water has been a no go since for me. But I enjoy going down the river via UA-cam with you. If I ever get brave enough you would be the guide of choice.
After a while, bad experiences turn into good ones. Fast fred is fantastic and you should absolutely get in a boat with him. Best of luck to ya
@@jesseziehl3422 😂hh
We did this section yesterday. My first time. It was awesome. Fortunately, we didn’t turnover. Definitely gonna do the whole thing one day. Becca was our guide
Saturday 8/9 is the last Upper Ocoee release of 2023.
Did the Ocoee several times in the 90’s. Can’t believe the traffic. I guess everywhere
Coming back to see ya June 10. Bring a bunch of first timers with me. Can't wait.
Looking forward to seeing y'all!
I plan on visiting in late April or middle of May. I hope you’re my guide!!!
I will be returning to the states from Ecuador on May 12, 2022. If you would like to raft with me check out fastfreds.com/raft
The family and I will be there for the middle route in a couple weeks. Been digging your videos!! It’s been at least a decade since I’ve been down the Ocoee, and this time the kids are grown so we get to go together! I reserved with Cherokee rafting outpost.
Enjoy your visit. You can find me at Ocoee Adventure Center next visit. More details available at fastfreds.com/raft
Thanks for this Fred makes me feel a little better about hitting it on the IK with the group. Your the man hope to see ya out there this summer
I will be on the Ocoee until at least Labor Day. If I make more money I may stay longer otherwise I will head to Latin America in September.
Cheers fearless
Just having fun. This is a typical rafting try for me.
The GOAT guide commentator.
Hey man that looks awesome! We are going to be up there next month. I'd really like to take my family. My question is... I'm a big guy 6'5" 450. Am I able to do it? I feel like I would be fine as far as the strength and endurance goes but are there weight limits?
That is a great question! Only one rafting company on the Ocoee River claims to have a weight limit for clients. I question if they actually weigh and enforce the rule. Fitness is far more important than weight. That said you must fit the PDF (lifejacket) the companies have. The majority of outfitters provide PFDs that will fit a chest of up to 56"
Be aware that overall weight and its distribution does impact raft performance and handling. You may learn more on my questions and answers page here fastfreds.com/raft/rafters.html
I love this guide POV
Some outposts will charge $100 for guide pov videos of one's trip. I generally pass along such videos to my guests free. Although I depend upon tips for my livelihood and each video takes 2 to 3 additional hours of work to produce. This video took about 4 hours of editing work.
@@FastFredRuddock My friends and I went with Quest and had Chad as our guide last Saturday. Caught him in one of your videos. It was awesome. Four day weekend now, and I almost just drove down from Ohio by myself to do it again. lol
A tip of my (retired) helmet for your great guiding from Craig Parks’ mom
Thank you for the kind words!
You rock brother!
Love the vids, man. Which company do you work for?
I work at Ocoee Adventure Center. If you want to raft with me check out fastfreds.com/raft
I call that rock "around the world" , catch the right eddy, 360 spin and eddy hope down the rest of the rapid.
What is the time stamp of the rock in question?
Help me with surprise Im a new guide
Am I wrong or was this the wrong line ? What happened that's exactly how I got stuck the other day
You should never drift at Surprise like I did in this video. I was off the sweet spot by about two feet to the left. Maybe I will shoot a new video someday. However learning to unpin here is important.
Here's a better video showing more than one run of the ledges. Old video shot with a GoPro 2 Hero in 4:3 ua-cam.com/video/DH7DxbFBvrE/v-deo.html
I am working on a new video to address your request. A teaser has been posted to my facebook accounts.
The great fast Fred! See you on the river my nigga
I’m a guide from the new and gauley river. Coming to the ocoee this year. Thanks for the video
I look forward to meeting you. I am Ocoee bound from Latin America.
So rad
Most of this video is straight forward with the exception of the spin at Table Saw 27:39 note the verbal disclaimer
Great i loved❤️❤️❤️💪💪💪
I noticed you don't seem to be traveling down the river with a pod of other rafts from the same company. Is this normal on the ocoee? Here in California travel as a pack/pod and have pretty tight boat spacing to pick up swimmers.
We stop and set safety as needed more so than rolling safety. However this video was shot in the early season when trips were very small. I may have been running point with the other rafts behind me.
Southeastern rivers are much more technical than California. This spacing on the Ocoee is a balance. If too tight pile ups occur especially amount newer guides or those new to the southeast.
@@FastFredRuddock Thanks for the response!
Holy Smokes. The water was running so much harder than this last weekend. After the dam all you could see was white. Guide said it was 2500 CFS.
It was really more like 2100 cfs. Just good ole fashion fun.
@@FastFredRuddock yeah it was awesome whatever it was. It was my first time down there. Been wanting to go for years.
Good Stuff Fred. You got a video somewhere of you just filming your crews just falling out of the boat? Or are you just that good of an instructor :p
Everybody swims or rather we are all between swims.
Very nice guide/rapid line video. Quesion for ya: I only run this about 4-5 times a year (raft)...I got all the bigger rapids down, but for some reason, Slice and Dice always makes for a hard hit, although not technical at all. I see the 2 o'clock angle , but which is the preffered raft line, the exact line you took off that rock in center/right, or the one the green raft in front of you took about 10' left of that? Just asking in case I have any "delicate cargo" in the boat.
Any where between my line and the green rafts line is good to go. If you want a less rowdy line you can go much closer to the river left side and avoid the ledge all together. Be aware there is a hazard just to the left of the green boat's line. I hope this helps.
@@FastFredRuddock sure does, thank you sir!
Have you heard of a lost lagoon on the Ocoee? Reportedly it's easy to find, but small. Hides you away from the other paddlers on the river. Out of sight.
Never heard that name but there are a few places that would meet the description.
@@FastFredRuddock OK, next time down the Ocoee in your kayak,, catch the eddy below the the last ledge at Chicken wing (aka, walk the plank) Immediately paddle to the left edge of the river. You will pass a large rock on your right, turn downstream, go under the tree branch and follow the water. There will be an island on your right, the river bank on your left. At the bottom is a small dam made from floating sticks and other debris. If you get out of your kayak here you can sneak up on kayakers taking a safety break just below this location. Its a long story how I found this place.
I am coming in mid-June. Never rafted before. This looks kinda scary. Should I reconsider?
The Middle Ocoee is a fun nearly continuos class three ride for five miles. Come hydrated and eat a great breakfast to fuel your day. You should be prepared for about an hour of aerobic and anaerobic exercise. Don't worry there will be many breaks during that hour. Who are you rafting with?
@@FastFredRuddock OAR River Rafting is who I am going with - June 20.
@@FastFredRuddock I have decided to not do this on this trip. Think I need to be more prepared. Thank you for your honesty.
Is this the entire middle section?
Yes this video includes all the notable rapids of the Middle Ocoee River.
I fell off on laundry mat and almost drowned
Washing Machine on the Middle Ocoee?
As someone who's took this 10 mile trip... if you go into here not knowing how to swim you just straight don't value your life at all
The Middle Ocoee is five mile longs. However I agree it is important to be a swimmer if you want to raft.
@@FastFredRuddock yeah we did the 10 mile starting up above the damn where ya'll put in and it was our first time ever rafting, we had a bad accident in hell hole at the end too lol
or however long the longest one is I think it was 10 mile its been a few years since
@@Camaron9769 the full river trip including the Upper and Middle Ocoee is ten miles of whitewater fun. First half features class IV and second half features class III.
@@FastFredRuddock yeah we took the full with zero experience at all as a group of 8 haha