Video: Vanilla Ice, Christy Carlson and Victor Sheldon Race The Rapids

Even if you missed our exclusive interview with Rob “Vanilla Ice” Van Winkle this time last month, there’s no denying that the former pop rapper cut his teeth riding for Sea-Doo in the 1990s. Vanilla Ice was a genuine professional racer – even climbing the national ranks to be listed as the sixth best runabout racer in 1993. We know that it’s a little strange, sort of like finding out MC Hammer was a professional spelunker or something.

Nevertheless, Vanilla Ice makes his second appearance here on The Watercraft Journal as being the central celebrity interview in this surprisingly long (46-minutes) feature video “Search for Adventure” on a very unique and very cool New River Gorge whitewater race. The New River in West Virginia is some of the most torrential water in the Appalachians and has been known to severely injure and even kill those who dare to tame it. This video showcases some of the best riders at the time – Christy Carlson, Victor Sheldon and Vanilla Ice – as they attempt this feat on their respective personal watercraft.

Sheldon and Carlson are the only two daring the challenge aboard then-new Kawasaki 750s with Van Winkle giving it a go aboard a Kawasaki runabout. Obviously more manuerverable and lighter, the two standups have an advantage over Ice and his sitdown, and prove the better weapon over the rider’s 4-day journey, which will take them through a stretch of Class 5 rapids. We won’t give it all away here; rather, watch it for yourself. It’s some seriously vintage fun!

http://youtu.be/NEpUb3KaeK8