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Rush Sturges

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Rush Sturges (born February 14, 1985) is an American professional whitewater kayaker, film maker, and musician.

Sturges has been a professional whitewater kayaker for over 20 years. He is a former freestyle kayak Junior World Champion (2003), has represented the United States Kayaking Team at the World Championships four times, has been named among the 20 Greatest Outdoor Athletes Now by Outside Magazine,[1] and as a 2012 Outdoor Adventurer of the Year also by Outside Magazine.[2]

His work documenting whitewater expeditions and first descents has been featured in numerous publications, including Outside,[3] Men's Journal,[4] Red Bull Media,[5] ESPN,[6] National Geographic Adventure,[7] Outdoor Magazine,[8] and more.

Sturges is well known for his documentary filmmaking and has produced, directed, and appeared in numerous films through his production company River Roots. Among his awarded films are The River Runner (2021) and Chasing Niagara (2015), which each won the Best Film for Mountain Sports at the Banff Mountain Film and Book Festival.[9]

Sturges founded River Roots Productions[10] in 2009 where he's built a reputation for documenting cutting edge descents and world records.

Kayaking career

[edit]

Sturges is considered one of the most well-rounded professional kayakers in the industry with accomplishments in freestyle, waterfalls, big water, steep creeking, and expedition kayaking. He is credited with having invented several freestyle kayaking moves including the Hail Mary, a front flip off a waterfall.

In 2003, Sturges won the Junior World Championships of freestyle kayaking in Graz, Austria. After turning 18 he returned to represent the United States at the world championships three more times.

In 2007, Sturges attempted to break the world record waterfall descent of 107 ft Alexandra Falls and nearly drowned in the process.[11] In 2009, he broke his back on 80 ft Bonito Falls in Argentina.[12]

In 2011, Sturges, along with Steve Fisher, Tyler Bradt, and Benny Marr, achieved the first successful descent of the largest rapids in the world, the Grand Inga Rapids on the Congo River. In the Grand Inga section, the Congo River flows at an average rate of 1.6 million Cubic Feet per Second (CFS), approximately 50 times the average flow of the Grand Canyon.[13] Sturges, Fisher, Bradt, and Marr, successfully navigated the rapids which had taken the lives of seven people who previously attempted the run. The expedition was documented in the feature length documentary The Grand Inga Project released in 2012.[14]

A Siskiyou Daily News article written at the time quoted Sturges describing the experience: "When you're dealing with that much current and that much volume, you're dealing with features that nobody's ever seen before. . . You occasionally encounter small whirlpools on some rivers, but these were 30 to 40 feet across. If you get sucked into those things you're screwed. It's just so unpredictable and random."[15]

Sturges contracted malaria during the course of the expedition and was hospitalized upon his return to the United States with a flesh eating bacteria attacking a cut on his elbow.[16]

Sturges has twice competed in the Whitewater Grand Prix, placing 3rd in 2012 and 2nd in 2014. The two week event is designed to crown the best all around kayaker in the world, through competitions in big water, steep creeking, and freestyle.[17] In 2015, he placed 2nd in the Waterfall World Championships.[18]

In 2016 Sturges achieved viral fame for his YouTube video "Kayakers Lose Control in Drainage Ditch" which has been viewed over 5 million times on YouTube.[19] In the video, Sturges and Benny Marr careen down a drainage ditch in British Columbia, reaching speeds of 72 kilometers/hour (45 miles/hour). The moment was captured by a Thrillest article titled "Watch These Morons Nearly Die Kayaking Down A Mountain".[20]

The two returned to the drainage ditch in 2017, this time in a tandem kayak. The "Return to the Ditch" video has been viewed more than 17 million times on Youtube[21] and drew condemnations from Peter DeJong, the chief administrative officer of the nearby village of Lions Bay, as well as Rand Chatterjee, of the Sea Kayak Association of British Columbia, who remarked "they were going faster than I could say they could survive."[22]

For his numerous accomplishments in whitewater kayaking Rush Sturges was named an Outdoor Idol by the Outdoor Industry Foundation.[23] In 2004, Outside Magazine recognized him as one of the 20 greatest outdoor athletes now, alongside Big Wave Surfer Laird Hamilton, outdoor athlete Jimmy Chin, gold-medal swimmer Michael Phelps, skateboarder Danny Way, and snowboarder Keir Dillon, among others.[24]

Documentary filmmaking career

[edit]

Rush Sturges is known for award-winning feature length documentary films blending adventure sports with emotional storytelling and cutting-edge cinematography. He has produced and directed more than 15 documentary films and a number of music videos.

Sturges began his filmmaking career in 2001 as a member of Young Guns Productions. In 2009 he founded River Roots Productions.

As a filmmaker, Sturges has documented cutting edge descents and world records, including Tyler Bradt's record waterfall descent of 189 ft. Palouse Falls in 2009.[25] Sturges featured the footage in his film "Dream Result" (2010).

In 2015 Sturges documented Rafa Ortiz's multi year training to kayak Niagara Falls. The project was acquired by Red Bull Media House and Starz and released as the full-length documentary film "Chasing Niagara" under Sturges' own River Roots Productions. Variety Magazine hailed "Chasing Niagara" as "the biggest, and most artistically ambitious, big waterfall kayak movie ever made".[26] The film won critical acclaim and was selected as the Best Film for Mountain Sports at the 2015 Banff Mountain Film and Book Festival.[27]

"Chasing Niagara" follows Rafa Ortiz on a three year journey to train for a harrowing descent of Niagara Falls. Featuring Ortiz, Sturges, Evan Garcia, Aniol Serrasolses, and Gerd Serrasolses, it is shot on location on the rivers of Veracruz, Mexico, as well as Washington and Oregon in the United States, before culminating at Niagara Falls on the border between the United States and Canada.

The film's protagonist, Ortiz, said about the production: "On one hand, 'Chasing Niagara' is about a character, Rafa Ortiz, with his friend Rush Sturges. But I lived a parallel experience, about a character called Rush Sturges, who was trying, with his friend Rafa Ortiz, to make a film which had a story that transcended everything he had made up to that point."[28]

In 2021, Sturges released his second documentary feature "The River Runner" on Netflix following the life of world famous expedition kayaker Scott Lindgren about his 20-year journey to be the first person to run the four rivers that originate from Mount Kailash in Tibet. A review in Spling Movies notes that the River Runner "isn't an ordinary documentary but rather an emotive character portrait".[29]

"The River Runner" documents Lindgren's career as an early pioneer of expedition kayaking and documents his battle with a pituitary adenoma (a type of brain cancer). After setting a goal to paddle the four rivers flowing from the sacred Mount Kailash, Lindgren completed expeditions on the Karnali, Sutlej, and Tsangpo rivers before his cancer ended his dreams. After brain surgery and rehabilitation, Lindgren was invited to join Aniol Serrasolses, Mike Dawson, Ben Marr, Brendan Wells, and Rush Sturges to complete the quartet by running the Indus River.[30]

"The River Runner" culminates with the successful expedition down the Indus which Lindgren completes at the age of 47. The film, produced and directed by Sturges, was released to critical acclaim, was selected as the Best Film for Mountain Sports at the 2021 Banff Mountain Film and Book Festival: won Official Selection at the Telluride Mountain Film Festival, the Breck Film Festival, and the BendFilm Festival; and received distribution on Netflix.[31]

Following the release of "The River Runner", Sturges embarked on a series of short film projects tackling the intersection of action sports and social and environmental justice.

His 2021 short film "The Land of the Yakamas" is a moving portrait of the land that Sturges calls home around the sacred Pahto (Mt. Adams) and the enduring connection of the native Yakama people to the land, rivers, and animals of the area. The film features interviews with Yakama community leaders and stunning cinematography by Matt Baker, Skip Armstrong, and Sturges himself.[32]

In 2022, Sturges released "Before I Die", chronicling the story of Tristan Bussell who, following a diagnosis of Early Onset Alzheimer's (the same disease that killed his father) sets out to fulfill his dream of kayaking off a waterfall.[33]

Also in 2022, Sturges released "Paddle Tribal Waters" which follows a group of teenagers from the Indigenous Klamath, Maqlaq, Karuk, Hoopa, Yurok, and other tribes native to the Klamath River of Oregon and California as they set out to be the first to navigate the river following the historic removal of four dams.[34] The short film features the young athletes and their Native American teachers as they learn whitewater skills and life lessons in a program run by the nonprofit Rios to Rivers. The short film is a precursor to a longer project currently under development.[35]

In 2023 Sturges was featured in Jimmy Chin's "Edge of The Unknown" series for his role in helping rescue and resuscitate his teammate, Gerd Serrasolses, in a kayaking accident on the Rio Tulijá in Veracruz, Mexico.[36]

Other film and media

[edit]

Rush Sturges has produced and/or directed a number of music videos for artists Free Creatures, The Wind Fields, Matthew Jo, as well as his own music.

He has also produced content for GoPro, VisitMexico, CNN, Dagger Kayaks, Discovery, Toyota, Ford, ESPN, National Geographic, Red Bull, Outside, Smith, Sweet Protection, Universal, The Weather Channel, Netflix, Polaris, Disney, and others.[37]

Musical career

[edit]

Rush Sturges performs a blend of hip hop and folk-inspired rock, which he dubs "folk hop". He has released three full-length albums including "The Road is Gold" (2010), "A Life Worth Living" (2016), and "Lessons in Folk Hop" (2024) on his River Roots Records label.[38]

Sturges has released songs featuring John Craigie, the Shook Twins, Hendri Coetzee, 2Mex, and many other artists.

His music draws on themes related to his upbringing in the remote mountains of Northern California, his connection to the environment, and his career in whitewater kayaking, as well as universal concepts such as personal and spiritual growth, the loss of close friends, and more.

His songs have been featured in various kayaking movies and adventure films.

Personal life

[edit]

Rush Sturges grew up in Forks of Salmon, California, where his parents owned and operated Otter Bar Lodge, a destination kayak school on the Salmon River. He began kayaking at the age of 10 and began competing at age 13.[39]

Sturges attended Etna High School in Etna, California until his Junior Year when he joined World Class Academy, a traveling high school for students who want to earn their education while exploring unique rivers and cultures around the world.

When he's not on the road, pursuing his many athletic and artistic projects, Sturges resides in White Salmon, Washington, where he runs River Roots Productions.

Filmography

[edit]

Documentary and Adventure:

Year Film Production Company Director Producer Cinematographer Editor Athlete Ref.
2002 The Next Generation Young Gun Productions Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes [40]

[41]

2004 New Reign Young Gun Productions Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
2006 Dynasty Young Gun Productions Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
2008 Source Young Gun Productions Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
2009 Africa Revolutions Tour River Roots and Revolutionary Innovations Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
2010 Dream Result River Roots and Revolutionary Innovations Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
2011 Frontier River Roots Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
2013 Congo: The Grand Inga Project Fish Munga and Red Bull Media House No No No No Yes [42]

[43]

[44]

2015 Chasing Niagara River Roots and Red Bull Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes [45]

[46]

[47]

2017 Spirit of the Wabakimi (short) National Geographic and Explore Canada Yes Yes Yes No Yes [48]
2021 The River Runner River Roots Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes [49]

[50]

2021 Land of the Yakamas (short) River Roots and the Yakama Nation Yes Yes Yes Yes No [51]

[52]

[53]

2022 Before I Die (short) River Roots Yes Yes No Yes No [54]

[55]

2022 Paddle Tribal Waters (short) River Roots and Rios to Rivers Yes Yes Yes Yes No [56]

[57]

[58]

2023 A Baffin Vacation (short) Whitewater Yes Yes No Yes No [59]

[60]

2023 Edge of the Unknown Edgeworx Studios, Little Monster Films, and National Geographic No No No No Yes [61]

[62]


Music Videos:

Year Film Artist Director Producer Cinematographer Editor Performer Ref.
2019 "Get That" Free Creatures Yes Yes No Yes No [63]
2021 "Get It" The Wind Fields Yes Yes No No No [64]
2023 "Capsized" Rush Sturges No Yes No No Yes [65]

[66]

2023 "DIZZY" Matthew Jo Yes Yes No Yes No [67]
2024 "Middle of Nowhere" Rush Sturges Yes Yes N/A No Yes [68]

Discography

[edit]

Sturges has released three full length albums and featured on the soundtrack for his film "The River Runner" which was released as an EP with the band TapWater. His 2024 album, "A Life Worth Living" features production by Steve Berlin of Los Lobos.

The Road is Gold
  • Released: 2010
A Life Worth Living
  • Released: August 14, 2016
  • Format: CD and Digital
  • Label: River Roots Records
  • Producer: Rudy Slizewski
  • Singles: "A Life Worth Living", "For the Love", "Days Go By"
The River Runner EP, Music from the Feature Film (with TapWater)
  • Released: August 20, 2021
  • Format: Digital
  • Label: Rudy Slizewski
  • Producer: Rudy Slizewski
  • Singles: "Riding on a High"
Lessons in Folk Hop
  • Released: February 14, 2024
  • Format: Vinyl (limited release), CD, and Digital
  • Label: River Roots Records
  • Producer: Steve Berlin and Rudy Slizewski
  • Singles: "Wild Places", "Growing Up", "Live or Die", "Northern California", "Capsized", "Take Them River", "Riding on a High", "Hustler", "New Day"

Kayak competition

[edit]
  • 2003 Junior World Champion
  • 2012 3rd Place Whitewater Grand Prix
  • 2014 2nd Place Whitewater Grand Prix [69]
  • 2015 2nd Place Waterfall World Championships "Rey Del Rio" [70]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ https://www.amazon.com/Faces-Outside-Greatest-Athletes-Now/dp/B000BPDRCW
  2. ^ "2012 Outside Adventurers of the Year". 9 April 2012.
  3. ^ "2012 Outside Adventurers of the Year". 9 April 2012.
  4. ^ "The Grand Inga Project". 27 January 2020.
  5. ^ https://www.redbull.com/us-en/rush-sturges-interview
  6. ^ "Streaming Video". 10 July 2012.
  7. ^ "Waterfall Kayaking Video, Ultimate Adventure Bucket List -- National Geographic". National Geographic Society. 7 January 2011.
  8. ^ "Darby McAdams and Rush Sturges Explore Washington's Best Whitewater". 10 December 2021.
  9. ^ "Winners of the 2015 Banff Mountain Film and Book Festival". 9 November 2015.
  10. ^ https://riverroots.com/
  11. ^ "Paddlers take plunge off 107-foot waterfall". 17 September 2007.
  12. ^ "Sturges Breaks Back in Chile Waterfall Run". 13 January 2010.
  13. ^ "The Grand Inga Project". 27 January 2020.
  14. ^ "Rush Sturges: Conquering the Congo".
  15. ^ "Rush Sturges: Conquering the Congo".
  16. ^ "2012 Outside Adventurers of the Year". 9 April 2012.
  17. ^ "The Most Exciting Party on Earth". 23 March 2015.
  18. ^ "Kayaking Backwards over a Waterfall - Rey del Rio Waterfall World Championships".
  19. ^ "Kayakers Lose Control in Drainage Ditch". YouTube. 5 August 2014.
  20. ^ "Watch These Morons Nearly die Kayaking Down a Mountain". 9 March 2017.
  21. ^ "GoPro: Return to the Ditch - Tandem Kayak". YouTube. 9 March 2017.
  22. ^ "Safety concerns surround daring B.C. Kayak video". 16 March 2017.
  23. ^ https://www.mensjournal.com/features/paddling-news/idols06/
  24. ^ http://www.faces-mag.com/
  25. ^ "Tyler Bradt jump higher in a 189ft kayak (Official World Record)". 26 October 2021.
  26. ^ "San Sebastian: Sturges, Ortiz on 'Chasing Niagara'". 22 September 2015.
  27. ^ "Winners of the 2015 Banff Mountain Film and Book Festival". 9 November 2015.
  28. ^ "San Sebastian: Sturges, Ortiz on 'Chasing Niagara'". 22 September 2015.
  29. ^ "Movie Review: The River Runner". September 2021.
  30. ^ "Staring Down My Mortality in Kayaks and X-Rays". 14 October 2019.
  31. ^ "The river runner: How expedition kayaker Scott Lindgren balances a brain tumor, his mental health and tackling tough waters". 20 September 2022.
  32. ^ "Land of the Yakamas". 29 August 2021.
  33. ^ "Before I die, the Story of Tristan Russell". 22 November 2022.
  34. ^ "Paddle Tribal Waters | Mountainfilm Festival, Telluride CO".
  35. ^ "Paddle Tribal Waters | Mountainfilm Festival, Telluride CO".
  36. ^ "5 Near-Death Experiences from the Adventurers Who Lived". 8 October 2013.
  37. ^ https://riverroots.com/
  38. ^ "New Music".
  39. ^ "Rush Sturges: Conquering the Congo".
  40. ^ "The Next Generation". 2001.
  41. ^ "Streaming Video". 10 July 2012.
  42. ^ https://www.redbull.com/us-en/films/congo
  43. ^ "The Grand Inga Project". 27 January 2020.
  44. ^ "Congo: The Grand Inga Project". IMDb.
  45. ^ https://www.redbull.com/us-en/films/chasing-niagara
  46. ^ "Chasing Niagara | Rotten Tomatoes". Rotten Tomatoes.
  47. ^ "Chasing Niagara". IMDb.
  48. ^ ""Spirit of Wabakimi" Nat Geo/Explore Canada Project".
  49. ^ "The River Runner | Rotten Tomatoes". Rotten Tomatoes.
  50. ^ https://www.netflix.com/title/81457001
  51. ^ "Land of the Yakamas". 29 August 2021.
  52. ^ "Land of the Yakamas | Yakama Nation Fisheries".
  53. ^ "Land of the Yakamas".
  54. ^ "Before I die, the Story of Tristan Russell". 22 November 2022.
  55. ^ "Before I die - Trailer". 21 November 2022.
  56. ^ "Paddle Tribal Waters | Mountainfilm Festival, Telluride CO".
  57. ^ "Paddle Tribal Waters".
  58. ^ "Paddle Tribal Waters".
  59. ^ https://vimff.org/film/a-baffin-vacation/
  60. ^ "A Baffin Vacation | Mountainfilm Festival, Telluride CO".
  61. ^ "Edge of the Unknown with Jimmy Chin (TV Series 2022– ) - Company credits - IMDb". IMDb.
  62. ^ "Watch Edge of the Unknown with Jimmy Chin TV Show - Streaming Online | Nat Geo TV". National Geographic Society.
  63. ^ "Free Creatures - Get That (Official Music Video)". YouTube. 21 November 2019.
  64. ^ "Wind Fields - Get It". YouTube. 20 May 2021.
  65. ^ "Capsized (Official Music Video)". YouTube. 22 May 2023.
  66. ^ "PREMIERE: Rush Sturges Blends Roots & Rap on New 'Lessons in Folk Hop' Single, "Capsized" [Video]". 22 May 2023.
  67. ^ "DIZZY by Matthew Jo (Official Music Video)". YouTube. 2 June 2023.
  68. ^ "Middle of Nowhere feat. Eric Earley of Blitzen Trapper Cartoon Music Video". YouTube. 14 February 2024.
  69. ^ "Three-peat for Dane Jackson in WW Grand Prix". 13 May 2014.
  70. ^ "Kayaking Backwards over a Waterfall - Rey del Rio Waterfall World Championships".
[edit]
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