Freeland ~ A Blackwater Story – History of Whitewater Exploration in WV

Mar 29, 2026 – Pioneering kayakers share stories of the early, dangerous exploration of West Virginia’s steepest rivers. They reflect on the evolution of the sport, the impact of major floods, and the profound personal losses experienced along the Blackwater River.  Mountain River Media presents the award winning ‘Freeland ~ A Blackwater Story’. The documentation of the early history of steep creeking on the Blackwater River in Northern West Virginia, and the community that developed around the culture of whitewater kayaking. In association with Thompson Sky Productions. Written by Justin Harris and Will Fortune. Starring Roger Zbel, John Regan, Jeff Snyder, Mike Moore, Art Barket, Dan Sullivan, Brian Homberg, Jim Snyder, Phil Coleman, Sue Haywood, and Kevin “Big Bird” Sessler. Executive Producer Meridian Treehouse. Sound Design by Will Fortune. Motion Graphics by Jim Gravina. “History is the long struggle of man, by exercise of his reason, to understand his environment and to act upon it.” ~Edward Hallett Carr~

This is an excellent video showcasing the most awesome paddlers of their day.  Roger Zbel  was on the ill fated 1st descent of the Tsang Po Gorge, Brian Homberg was an Olympian, Jeff Snyder was seen guiding rafts or swimming the Upper Gauley (on purpose), and he invented “Striding”, running class 5 while standing in an inflatable kayak, his brother Jim Snyder was one of the inventors of squirt boating and a well known expert paddle and boat maker, John Regan was a prolific hair paddler and video boater.  The rest of them are not slouches either.  These are the people who built the sport of whitewater paddling.