When you combine funding from Red Bull, a legendary exploratory kayaker, a world-class photographer, a tight group of the very best whitewater paddlers on the planet, one of the top storytellers in kayaking, and a remote, little-explored river in Africa, you get one epic adventure.
This adventure is showcased in the free online film Gabon Uncharted: Sending Ivindo Falls. And, you’re going to want to watch it!
Kayaking the Ivindo River
On the equator, along the west coast of Africa, lies the country of Gabon. Cutting across the country is the Ivindo River, a remote high-volume waterway deep in the jungle.
It was first explored by whitewater kayak by Olaf Obsommer and team in 2007. Obsommer returned in 2024 to help guide the SEND collective team down this mighty river.
The four-person SEND team consists of Adrian Mattern, Dane Jackson, Bren Orton (R.I.P.), and Kalob Grady. These are some of the very best whitewater paddlers in the world today, likely ever, and also a group of very close friends.
Much of the Ivindo’s mighty rapids were portaged around during the 2007 expedition, as little was known about the area and the dense jungle made scouting difficult. Modern technology, in the form of satellite imagery and video drones, has opened up all-new ways to scout a river safely and quickly.
Mattern has been dreaming up a trip to tackle the Ivindo’s rapids since he saw pictures of Obsommer’s group on the river. He planned the 10-12-day and 90-mile river expedition, and led the group.
Gabon Uncharted: Sending Ivindo Falls
David Arnaud, a well-respected videographer and paddler, was along with the rest of this legendary crew to capture the story. He brought it all together in the editing room. The film is also narrated from the perspective of Arnaud, which helps give insights into all the happenings on the trip, not just the paddling.
David Sodomka, a great action photographer and paddler himself, was also on this river trip to document the proceedings.
Know that this isn’t a typical online action film, but rather a documentary of a major whitewater kayak expedition in a remote land. It will, however, capture your attention, no matter if you’re a kayaker or not.
Watch the film now on Red Bull TV.
Runtime: 44 min.
