The River That Flows Both Ways: Short Film Paddling the Hudson River

In tribute to growing up, two friends tandem packraft 315 miles of the Hudson River from source to sea in record time. A journey that starts in the Adirondack’s whitewater and finishes at the Statue of Liberty.

In August 2019, Brendan Davis and Kirk Muir Horton paddled 315 miles from source to sea down the Hudson River in record time. Starting in the Adirondacks and ending at the Statue of Liberty, their trip was about as unpredictable and complex as the river itself. The trip started off as a way for Brendan to pay tribute to the source of his childhood exploration. But the Hudson offered discoveries and challenges along the way, both aquatic and otherwise, that tested and formed a bond between the new friends, and in turn between them and the Hudson. Without much paddling experience, and with a relatively new friendship to boot, they encountered dry riverbeds and Class III whitewater, battled heavy tides, met strangers who became friends, and revisited Brendan’s childhood home in Cornwall, NY.

Watch the Short Film

Film contains language and visuals that may be considered offensive to some readers including minor use of profanity, verbal depiction of human anatomy, and partial (backside) nudity.