Just so all of ya know, the videographer of the Anton Immler vid lives in Bellingham so I believe that qualifies him as Local.
Just because someone is sponsored etc.  doesn't meant they get paid to kayak.  It usually means that they get free gear.
I can't believe that I read this entire thread.  I've always thought that imitation was a form of flattery.....
You all should make some rebuttal videos.

I personally liked the video.  It showed that they aren't afraid to make fun of themselves.

I guess what bums out people in the paddling is having something like that trivialized, and if he can do it in a dyngy what is stopping anyone?

Pro-kayakers might not get paid, but free gear goes a long way. And to use economic terminology, there are also significant externalities that come along with being in the pro "circuit", just like there are externalities that go along with being the President. The big man may "only get paid $200,000 a year" but they also have significant advantages that come with their job (plane flights, meals etc.). Not to say that pro kayakers are getting anything like that, be we can't say that they don't get paid because there are definite benefits that go along with sticking the logo of some company on your helmet.

But now I'm ranting econ. All-in-all I've decided that I no longer have an opinion on what they do, I guess I'm really just jealous that they get to dyngy off a 60 footer and I have to write a paper about Neo-liberal economic policy for tomorrow.

And Kurle is right, this thread probably is the motivation. But alas these threads are how I avoid neo-liberal policy papers. So here-here to Arm-chair quarter backs!

Is that Ross Henry in the pink helmet as the class 5 raft guide?