{{Short description|American kayaker, film maker, and musician}}

'''Rush Sturges''' (born February 14, 1985) is an American professional whitewater kayaker, film maker, and musician.

Sturges has been a professional whitewater kayaker for over 20 years. He is a former freestyle kayak Junior World Champion (2003), has represented the United States Kayaking Team at the World Championships four times and has been named among the 20 Greatest Outdoor Athletes Now by Outside Magazine.<ref>https://www.amazon.com/Faces-Outside-Greatest-Athletes-Now/dp/B000BPDRCW</ref>

His work documenting whitewater expeditions and first descents has been featured in numerous publications, including Outside,<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-adventure/exploration-survival/2012-outside-adventurers-year/ | title=2012 Outside Adventurers of the Year | date=9 April 2012 }}</ref> Men's Journal,<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.mensjournal.com/adventure/the-grand-inga-project | title=The Grand Inga Project | date=27 January 2020 }}</ref> Red Bull Media,<ref>https://www.redbull.com/us-en/rush-sturges-interview</ref> ESPN,<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.espn.com/espn/magazine/archives/news/story?page=magazine-20060911-article42 | title=Streaming Video | date=10 July 2012 }}</ref> National Geographic Adventure,<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nationalgeographic.com/adventure/article/waterfall-kayaking-video | title=Waterfall Kayaking Video, Ultimate Adventure Bucket List &ndash; National Geographic | website=National Geographic Society | date=7 January 2011 }}</ref> Outdoor Magazine,<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-adventure/water-activities/chasing-the-elements-water/ | title=Darby McAdams and Rush Sturges Explore Washington's Best Whitewater | date=10 December 2021 }}</ref> and more.

Sturges is well known for his documentary film making and has produced, directed, and appeared in numerous films through his production company [https://riverroots.com/ River Roots]. Among his awarded films are "Snow Leopard Sisters" (2025), "The River Runner" (2021), and "Chasing Niagara" (2015).

Sturges founded River Roots Productions<ref>https://riverroots.com/</ref> in 2009 where he's built a reputation for documenting cutting edge descents and world records.

== Kayaking career ==

Sturges is considered one of the most well-rounded professional kayakers in the industry with accomplishments in freestyle, waterfalls, big water, steep creeking, and expedition kayaking. He is credited with having invented several freestyle kayaking moves including the Pistol Flip and the Hail Mary, a front flip off a waterfall.

In 2003, Sturges won the Junior World Championships of freestyle kayaking in Graz, Austria. After turning 18 he returned to represent the United States at the world championships three more times.

In 2007, Sturges attempted to break the world record waterfall descent of 107&nbsp;ft Alexandra Falls and nearly drowned in the process.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.denverpost.com/2007/09/17/paddlers-take-plunge-off-107-foot-waterfall/ | title=Paddlers take plunge off 107-foot waterfall | date=17 September 2007 }}</ref> In 2009, he broke his back on 80&nbsp;ft Bonito Falls in Argentina.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-adventure/water-activities/sturges-breaks-back-chile-waterfall-run/ | title=Sturges Breaks Back in Chile Waterfall Run | date=13 January 2010 }}</ref>

In 2011, Sturges, along with Steve Fisher, Tyler Bradt, and Benny Marr, achieved the first successful descent of the largest rapids in the world, the Grand Inga Rapids on the Congo River. In the Grand Inga section, the Congo River flows at an average rate of 1.6 million Cubic Feet per Second (CFS), approximately 50 times the average flow of the Grand Canyon.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.mensjournal.com/adventure/the-grand-inga-project | title=The Grand Inga Project | date=27 January 2020 }}</ref> Sturges, Fisher, Bradt, and Marr, successfully navigated the rapids which had taken the lives of seven people who previously attempted the run. The expedition was documented in the feature-length documentary The Grand Inga Project released in 2012.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.siskiyoudaily.com/story/news/2011/12/30/rush-sturges-conquering-congo/49498622007/ | title=Rush Sturges: Conquering the Congo }}</ref>

A Siskiyou Daily News article written at the time quoted Sturges describing the experience: "When you're dealing with that much current and that much volume, you're dealing with features that nobody's ever seen before... You occasionally encounter small whirlpools on some rivers, but these were 30 to 40 feet across. If you get sucked into those things you're screwed. It's just so unpredictable and random."<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.siskiyoudaily.com/story/news/2011/12/30/rush-sturges-conquering-congo/49498622007/ | title=Rush Sturges: Conquering the Congo }}</ref>

Sturges contracted malaria during the course of the expedition and was hospitalized upon his return to the United States with a flesh eating bacteria attacking a cut on his elbow.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-adventure/exploration-survival/2012-outside-adventurers-year/ | title=2012 Outside Adventurers of the Year | date=9 April 2012 }}</ref>

Sturges has twice competed in the Whitewater Grand Prix, placing 3rd in 2012 and 2nd in 2014. The two week event is designed to crown the best all around kayaker in the world, through competitions in big water, steep creeking, and freestyle.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-adventure/water-activities/kayakings-wildest-competition/ | title=The Most Exciting Party on Earth | date=23 March 2015 }}</ref> In 2015, he placed 2nd in the Waterfall World Championships.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.tetongravity.com/video/kayak/kayaking-backwards-over-a-waterfall-waterfall-world-championships | title=Kayaking Backwards over a Waterfall - Rey del Rio Waterfall World Championships }}</ref>

In 2016 Sturges achieved viral fame for his YouTube video [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KGfp9DfPNk "Kayakers Lose Control in Drainage Ditch"] which has been viewed over 5 million times on YouTube.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KGfp9DfPNk | title=Kayakers Lose Control in Drainage Ditch | website=YouTube | date=5 August 2014 }}</ref> In the video, Sturges and Benny Marr careen down a drainage ditch in British Columbia, reaching speeds of 72 kilometers/hour (45 miles/hour). The moment was captured by a Thrillest article titled "Watch These Morons Nearly Die Kayaking Down A Mountain".<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.thrillist.com/news/nation/video-featuring-tandem-kayakers-speeding-through-a-drainage-ditch | title=Watch These Morons Nearly die Kayaking Down a Mountain | date=9 March 2017 }}</ref>

The two returned to the drainage ditch in 2017, this time in a tandem kayak. The [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RtbutcpWG0A&t=73s "Return to the Ditch"] video has been viewed more than 17 million times on YouTube<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RtbutcpWG0A&t=73s | title=GoPro: Return to the Ditch - Tandem Kayak | website=YouTube | date=9 March 2017 }}</ref> and drew condemnations from Peter DeJong, the chief administrative officer of the nearby village of Lions Bay, as well as Rand Chatterjee, of the Sea Kayak Association of British Columbia, who remarked "they were going faster than I could say they could survive."<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/article/safety-concerns-surround-daring-bc-kayak-video/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170318221937/http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/safety-concerns-surround-daring-b-c-kayak-video-1.3327292 | url-status=live | archive-date=March 18, 2017 | title=Safety concerns surround daring B.C. Kayak video | date=16 March 2017 }}</ref>

For his numerous accomplishments in whitewater kayaking Rush Sturges was named an Outdoor Idol by the Outdoor Industry Foundation.<ref>https://www.mensjournal.com/features/paddling-news/idols06/</ref> In 2004, Outside Magazine recognized him as one of the 20 greatest outdoor athletes now, alongside Big Wave Surfer Laird Hamilton, outdoor athlete Jimmy Chin, gold-medal swimmer Michael Phelps, skateboarder Danny Way, and snowboarder Keir Dillon, among others.<ref>http://www.faces-mag.com/</ref> In 2013, Sturges was recognized along with Fisher, Bradt, and Marr as National Geographic Adventurers of the Year Team, for their descent of the Congo River.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-10-31 |title=Video: Adventurers of the Year 2013 -- National Geographic |url=https://www.nationalgeographic.com/adventure/article/video-2 |access-date=2026-06-01 |website=Adventure |language=en}}</ref> And in 2012, he was recognized as Adventurer of the Year by Men's Journal and Outdoor Adventurer of the Year by Outside Magazine.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Neville |first=Tim |date=2012-04-09 |title=2012 Outside Adventurers of the Year |url=https://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-adventure/exploration-survival/2012-outside-adventurers-year/ |access-date=2026-06-01 |website=Outside |language=en}}</ref>

== Documentary film making career ==

Rush Sturges is known for award-winning feature-length documentary films blending adventure sports with emotional storytelling and cutting-edge cinematography. He has produced and/or directed more than 20 documentary films and a number of music videos.

Sturges began his film making career in 2001 as a member of Young Guns Productions. In 2009 he founded [https://riverroots.com/ River Roots Productions].

As a filmmaker, Sturges has documented cutting edge descents and world records, including Tyler Bradt's record waterfall descent of 189&nbsp;ft. Palouse Falls in 2009.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.officialworldrecord.org/record/tyler-bradt-jump-higher-in-a-189ft-kayak-official-world-record/ | title=Tyler Bradt jump higher in a 189ft kayak (Official World Record) | date=26 October 2021 }}</ref> Sturges featured the footage in his film [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vFKh22bAlY "Dream Result" (2010)].

In 2015 Sturges documented Rafa Ortiz's multi year training to kayak Niagara Falls. The project was acquired by Red Bull Media House and Starz and released as the full-length documentary film [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5192278/ "Chasing Niagara"] under Sturges' own River Roots Productions. Variety Magazine hailed "Chasing Niagara" as "the biggest, and most artistically ambitious, big waterfall kayak movie ever made".<ref>{{cite web | url=https://variety.com/2015/film/festivals/sturges-ortiz-red-bull-media-chasing-niagara-1201599605/ | title=San Sebastian: Sturges, Ortiz on 'Chasing Niagara' | date=22 September 2015 }}</ref> The film won critical acclaim and was selected as the Best Film for Mountain Sports at the 2015 Banff Mountain Film and Book Festival.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://gripped.com/news/winners-of-the-2015-banff-mountain-film-and-book-festival/ | title=Winners of the 2015 Banff Mountain Film and Book Festival | date=9 November 2015 }}</ref>

"Chasing Niagara" follows Rafa Ortiz on a three-year journey to train for a harrowing descent of Niagara Falls. Featuring Ortiz, Sturges, Evan Garcia, Aniol Serrasolses, and Gerd Serrasolses, it is shot on location on the rivers of Veracruz, Mexico, as well as Washington and Oregon in the United States, before culminating at Niagara Falls on the border between the United States and Canada.

The film's protagonist, Ortiz, said about the production: "On one hand, 'Chasing Niagara' is about a character, Rafa Ortiz, with his friend Rush Sturges. But I lived a parallel experience, about a character called Rush Sturges, who was trying, with his friend Rafa Ortiz, to make a film which had a story that transcended everything he had made up to that point."<ref>{{cite web | url=https://variety.com/2015/film/festivals/sturges-ortiz-red-bull-media-chasing-niagara-1201599605/ | title=San Sebastian: Sturges, Ortiz on 'Chasing Niagara' | date=22 September 2015 }}</ref>

In 2021, Sturges released his second documentary feature [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt15293256/ "The River Runner"] on Netflix following the life of world famous expedition kayaker Scott Lindgren about his 20-year journey to be the first person to run the four rivers that originate from Mount Kailash in Tibet. A review in Spling Movies notes that the River Runner "isn't an ordinary documentary but rather an emotive character portrait".<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.splingmovies.com/2021/09/movie-review-the-river-runner/ | title=Movie Review: The River Runner | date=September 2021 }}</ref>

"The River Runner" documents Lindgren's career as an early pioneer of expedition kayaking and documents his battle with a pituitary adenoma (a type of brain cancer). After setting a goal to paddle the four rivers flowing from the sacred Mount Kailash, Lindgren completed expeditions on the Karnali, Sutlej, and Tsangpo rivers before his cancer ended his dreams. After brain surgery and rehabilitation, Lindgren was invited to join Aniol Serrasolses, Mike Dawson, Ben Marr, Brendan Wells, and Rush Sturges to complete the quartet by running the Indus River.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-adventure/water-activities/scott-lindgren-kayaker/ | title=Staring Down My Mortality in Kayaks and X-Rays | date=14 October 2019 }}</ref>

"The River Runner" culminates with the successful expedition down the Indus which Lindgren completes at the age of 47. The film, produced and directed by Sturges, was released to critical acclaim, was selected as the Best Film for Mountain Sports at the 2021 Banff Mountain Film and Book Festival: won Official Selection at the Telluride Mountain Film Festival, the Breck Film Festival, and the BendFilm Festival; and received distribution on Netflix.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.summitdaily.com/news/the-river-runner-how-expedition-kayaker-scott-lindgren-balances-a-brain-tumor-his-mental-health-and-tackling-tough-waters/ | title=The river runner: How expedition kayaker Scott Lindgren balances a brain tumor, his mental health and tackling tough waters | date=20 September 2022 }}</ref>

Following the release of "The River Runner", Sturges embarked on a series of short film projects tackling the intersection of action sports and social and environmental justice.

His 2021 short film [https://riverroots.com/projects/land-of-the-yakamas "The Land of the Yakamas"] is a moving portrait of the land that Sturges calls home around the sacred Pahto (Mt. Adams) and the enduring connection of the native Yakama people to the land, rivers, and animals of the area. The film features interviews with Yakama community leaders and stunning cinematography by Matt Baker, Skip Armstrong, and Sturges himself.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://community.nrs.com/duct-tape/2021/08/29/land-of-the-yakamas/ | title=Land of the Yakamas | date=29 August 2021 }}</ref>

In 2022, Sturges released [https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=683089306473684 "Before I Die"], chronicling the story of Tristan Bussell who, following a diagnosis of Early Onset Alzheimer's (the same disease that killed his father) sets out to fulfill his dream of kayaking off a waterfall.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.kayaksession.com/before-i-die-the-story-of-tristan-russell/ | title=Before I die, the Story of Tristan Russell | date=22 November 2022 }}</ref>

Also in 2022, Sturges released [https://vimeo.com/765532571 "Paddle Tribal Waters"] which follows a group of teenagers from the Indigenous Klamath, Maqlaq, Karuk, Hoopa, Yurok, and other tribes native to the Klamath River of Oregon and California as they set out to be the first to navigate the river following the historic removal of four dams.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.mountainfilm.org/films/paddle-tribal-waters/ | title=Paddle Tribal Waters &#124; Mountainfilm Festival, Telluride CO }}</ref> The film was awarded Best Short at the 2023 Wild & Scenic Film Festival and features the young athletes and their Native American teachers as they learn whitewater skills and life lessons in a program run by the nonprofit [https://www.riostorivers.org/paddle-tribal-waters Rios to Rivers]. Sturges releases two other Paddle Tribal Waters shirt films in 2023 and 2024. The collection are precursors to a longer project currently under development.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.mountainfilm.org/films/paddle-tribal-waters/ | title=Paddle Tribal Waters &#124; Mountainfilm Festival, Telluride CO }}</ref>

In 2023 Sturges was featured in Jimmy Chin's [https://www.nationalgeographic.com/tv/shows/edge-of-the-unknown-with-jimmy-chin "Edge of The Unknown"] series for his role in helping rescue and resuscitate his teammate, Gerd Serrasolses, in a kayaking accident on the Rio Tulijá in Veracruz, Mexico.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-adventure/water-activities/5-near-death-experiences-adventurers-who-lived/ | title=5 Near-Death Experiences from the Adventurers Who Lived | date=8 October 2013 }}</ref>

In 2025, Sturges Co-Directed and Executive Produced on two short films on the impact of plastic pollution around the world. "[https://vimeo.com/1113223754 The Human Side of Plastic: Babacar Thiaw]" profiles a visionary Senegalese surfer, entrepreneur, and environmental activist, is on a mission to tackle his country's escalating plastic pollution crisis and preserve its coastline for future generations. The film was awarded three Gold Awards at the 2025 Global Indie Film Awards and Best Documentary at the 2025 Vienna International Film Awards among other prizes. "[https://vimeo.com/1169208358 The Human Side of Plastic: Abby Barrows]" tells the story of one of the world's most productive lobster ports 0n Deer Isle, Maine where warming waters and invisible microplastic pollution threaten a centuries-old way of life. It won the Gold Award for Best Documentary at the 2025 Hollywood Independent Filmmaker Awards among other awards.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Human Side of Plastic: Abby Barrows |url=https://wildandscenicfilmfestival.org/film/the-human-side-of-plastic-abby-barrows/ |access-date=2026-06-01 |website=Wild & Scenic Film Festival |language=en-US}}</ref>

Sturges also served as Executive Producer and Cinematographer on the 2025 film "[https://snowleopardconservancy.org/snow-leopard-sisters-campaign/ Snow Leopard Sisters]." The film follows Tshiring Lhamu Lama as she travels alone to her home in a remote corner of the Himalayas, vowing to end retaliatory killings of local snow leopards. To succeed, she must first convince her young apprentice Tenzin to love the animals that have taken everything from her and her family. "Snow Leopard Sisters" premiered at South by Southwest in 2025 and won the People’s Choice Award at the 2025 Wild & Scenic Film Festival among other awards.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Snow Leopard Sisters |url=https://snowleopardconservancy.org/snow-leopard-sisters-campaign/ |access-date=2026-06-01 |website=Snow Leopard Conservancy |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Other film and media ==

Rush Sturges has produced and/or directed a number of music videos for artists [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4RlVCBakXM Free Creatures], [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tImV9JXq03M The Wind Fields], [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zif0SOA9jiI Matthew Jo], as well as [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7RQQQ1lojjo his own music].

He has also produced content for GoPro, VisitMexico, CNN, Dagger Kayaks, Discovery, Toyota, Ford, ESPN, National Geographic, Red Bull, Outside, Smith, Sweet Protection, Universal, The Weather Channel, Netflix, Polaris, Disney, and others.<ref>https://riverroots.com/</ref>

== Musical career ==

Rush Sturges performs a blend of hip hop and folk-inspired rock, which he dubs "folk hop". He has released three full-length albums including "The Road is Gold" (2010), "A Life Worth Living" (2016), and "Lessons in Folk Hop" (2024) on his River Roots Records label. "Lessons in Folk Hop: The Remix Album" was released in 2025.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://rushsturges.com/music | title=New Music }}</ref>

Sturges has released songs featuring John Craigie, the Shook Twins, Hendri Coetzee, 2Mex, and many other artists.

His music draws on themes related to his upbringing in the remote mountains of Northern California, his connection to the environment, and his career in whitewater kayaking, as well as universal concepts such as personal and spiritual growth, the loss of close friends, and more.

His songs have been featured in various kayaking movies and adventure films.

== Personal life ==

Rush Sturges grew up in Forks of Salmon, California, where his parents owned and operated [https://otterbar.com/ Otter Bar Lodge], a destination kayak school on the Salmon River. He began kayaking at the age of 10 and began competing at age 13.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.siskiyoudaily.com/story/news/2011/12/30/rush-sturges-conquering-congo/49498622007/ | title=Rush Sturges: Conquering the Congo }}</ref>

Sturges attended Etna High School in Etna, California until his Junior Year when he joined [https://worldclassacademy.com/ World Class Academy], a traveling high school for students who want to earn their education while exploring unique rivers and cultures around the world.

When he's not on the road, pursuing his many athletic and artistic projects, Sturges resides in White Salmon, Washington, where he runs River Roots Productions.

== Filmography ==

Documentary and Adventure: {| class="wikitable" ! Year !! Film !! Production company !! Director !! Producer !! Cinematographer !! Editor !! Athlete !! Ref. |- | 2002 || The Next Generation || Young Gun Productions || Yes || Yes || Yes || Yes || Yes || <ref>{{cite web | url=https://archive.org/details/TheNextGeneration | title=The Next Generation | date=2001 }}</ref>

<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.espn.com/espn/magazine/archives/news/story?page=magazine-20060911-article42 | title=Streaming Video | date=10 July 2012 }}</ref> |- | 2004 || New Reign || Young Gun Productions || Yes || Yes || Yes || Yes || Yes || |- | 2006 || Dynasty || Young Gun Productions || Yes || Yes || Yes || Yes || Yes || |- | 2008 || Source || Young Gun Productions || Yes || Yes || Yes || Yes || Yes || |- | 2009 || Africa Revolutions Tour || River Roots and Revolutionary Innovations || Yes || Yes || Yes || Yes || Yes || |- | 2010 || Dream Result || River Roots and Revolutionary Innovations || Yes || Yes || Yes || Yes || Yes || |- | 2011 || Frontier || River Roots || Yes || Yes || Yes || Yes || Yes || |- | 2013 || Congo: The Grand Inga Project || Fish Munga and Red Bull Media House || No || No || No || No || Yes || <ref>https://www.redbull.com/us-en/films/congo</ref>

<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.mensjournal.com/adventure/the-grand-inga-project | title=The Grand Inga Project | date=27 January 2020 }}</ref>

<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2509902/ | title=Congo: The Grand Inga Project | website=IMDb }}</ref> |- |2013 |Beyond the Drop (short) |Teva and Gnarly Bay |No |Yes |No |No |Yes | |- |2013 |Explorers: Adventures of the Century (Episode) |Red Bull TV |Yes |No |No |No |Yes |<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3006246/ |access-date=2026-06-01 |website=www.imdb.com}}</ref> |- | 2015 || Chasing Niagara || River Roots and Red Bull || Yes || Yes || Yes || Yes || Yes || <ref>https://www.redbull.com/us-en/films/chasing-niagara</ref>

<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/chasing_niagara | title=Chasing Niagara &#124; Rotten Tomatoes | website=Rotten Tomatoes }}</ref>

<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5192278/ | title=Chasing Niagara | website=IMDb }}</ref> |- |2017 |Ultimate Rush (Episode) |Red Bull TV |Yes |Yes |Yes |Yes |No |<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1980003/ |access-date=2026-06-01 |website=www.imdb.com}}</ref> |- | 2017 || Spirit of the Wabakimi (short) || National Geographic and Explore Canada || Yes || Yes || Yes || No || Yes || <ref>{{cite web | url=https://vimeo.com/234593518 | title="Spirit of Wabakimi" Nat Geo/Explore Canada Project }}</ref> |- | 2021 || The River Runner || River Roots || Yes || Yes || Yes || Yes || Yes || <ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_river_runner | title=The River Runner &#124; Rotten Tomatoes | website=Rotten Tomatoes }}</ref>

<ref>https://www.netflix.com/title/81457001</ref> |- | 2021 || Land of the Yakamas (short) || River Roots and the Yakama Nation || Yes || Yes || Yes || Yes || No || <ref>{{cite web | url=https://community.nrs.com/duct-tape/2021/08/29/land-of-the-yakamas/ | title=Land of the Yakamas | date=29 August 2021 }}</ref>

<ref>{{cite web | url=https://yakamafish-nsn.gov/landoftheyakamas#:~:text=%E2%80%9CLand%20of%20the%20Yakamas%E2%80%9D%20fosters,over%20the%20last%20150%20years | title=Land of the Yakamas &#124; Yakama Nation Fisheries }}</ref>

<ref>{{cite web | url=https://wildandscenicfilmfestival.org/film/land-of-the-yakamas/ | title=Land of the Yakamas }}</ref> |- | 2022 || Before I Die (short) || River Roots || Yes || Yes || No || Yes || No || <ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.kayaksession.com/before-i-die-the-story-of-tristan-russell/ | title=Before I die, the Story of Tristan Russell | date=22 November 2022 }}</ref>

<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.paddleworld.com/before-i-die-trailer/ | title=Before I die - Trailer | date=21 November 2022 }}</ref> |- | 2022 || Paddle Tribal Waters (short) || River Roots and Rios to Rivers || Yes || Yes || Yes || Yes || No || <ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.mountainfilm.org/films/paddle-tribal-waters/ | title=Paddle Tribal Waters &#124; Mountainfilm Festival, Telluride CO }}</ref>

<ref>{{cite web | url=https://wildandscenicfilmfestival.org/film/paddle-tribal-waters/ | title=Paddle Tribal Waters }}</ref>

<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.riostorivers.org/paddle-tribal-waters | title=Paddle Tribal Waters }}</ref> |- | 2023 || A Baffin Vacation (short) || Whitewater || Yes || Yes || No || Yes || No || <ref>https://vimff.org/film/a-baffin-vacation/</ref>

<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.mountainfilm.org/films/a-baffin-vacation/ | title=A Baffin Vacation &#124; Mountainfilm Festival, Telluride CO }}</ref> |- | 2023 || Edge of the Unknown (Episode) || Edgeworx Studios, Little Monster Films, and National Geographic || No || No || No || No || Yes || <ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt19238142/companycredits/?ref_=tt_dt_co | title=Edge of the Unknown with Jimmy Chin (TV Series 2022– ) - Company credits - IMDb | website=IMDb }}</ref>

<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nationalgeographic.com/tv/shows/edge-of-the-unknown-with-jimmy-chin | title=Watch Edge of the Unknown with Jimmy Chin TV Show - Streaming Online &#124; Nat Geo TV | website=National Geographic Society }}</ref> |- |2023 |Paddle Tribal Waters — Season 2 (short) |River Roots and Rios to Rivers |Yes |Yes |Yes |Yes |No |<ref>{{Cite web |last=Post |first=Staff |date=2024-07-25 |title=NRS Releases “Paddle Tribal Waters Part II: Bring the Salmon Home” |url=https://paddlinglife.com/conservation/nrs-releases-paddle-tribal-waters-part-ii-bring-the-salmon-home/ |access-date=2026-06-01 |website=Paddling Life |language=en-US}}</ref> |- |2023 |Near the River (short) |River Roots |No |Yes |No |No |No |<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt30691952/ |access-date=2026-06-01 |website=www.imdb.com}}</ref> |- |2024 |Paddle Tribal Waters — Season 3 (short) |River Roots and Rios to Rivers |Yes |Yes |Yes |Yes |No |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Paddle Tribal Waters (USA) |url=https://www.riostorivers.org/paddle-tribal-waters |access-date=2026-06-01 |website=Rios to Rivers |language=en-US}}</ref> |- |2025 |The Human Side of Plastic: Babacar Thiaw |SC Johnson |Yes |Yes (Executive) |No |No |No |<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt37449050/ |access-date=2026-06-01 |website=www.imdb.com}}</ref> |- |2025 |The Human Side of Plastic: Abby Barrows |SC Johnson |Yes |Yes (Executive) |No |No |No |<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt37449149/ |access-date=2026-06-01 |website=www.imdb.com}}</ref> |- |2025 |Snow Leopard Sisters |Appian Way and Noah Media Group |No |Yes (Executive) |Yes |No |No |<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt31034190/ |access-date=2026-06-01 |website=www.imdb.com}}</ref> <ref>{{Cite web |title=Snow Leopard Sisters |url=https://snowleopardconservancy.org/snow-leopard-sisters-campaign/ |access-date=2026-06-01 |website=Snow Leopard Conservancy |language=en-US}}</ref> |}

Music Videos:

{| class="wikitable" |- ! Year !! Film !! Artist !! Director !! Producer !! Cinematographer !! Editor !! Performer !! Ref. |- | 2019 || "Get That" || Free Creatures || Yes || Yes || No || Yes || No || <ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4RlVCBakXM | title=Free Creatures - Get That (Official Music Video) | website=YouTube | date=21 November 2019 }}</ref> |- | 2021 || "Get It" || The Wind Fields || Yes || Yes || No || No || No || <ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tImV9JXq03M | title=Wind Fields - Get It | website=YouTube | date=20 May 2021 }}</ref> |- | 2023 || "Capsized" || Rush Sturges || No || Yes || No || No || Yes || <ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwIGiez9UZI | title=Capsized (Official Music Video) | website=YouTube | date=22 May 2023 }}</ref>

<ref>{{cite web | url=https://liveforlivemusic.com/news/premiere-rush-sturges-capsized/ | title=PREMIERE: Rush Sturges Blends Roots & Rap on New 'Lessons in Folk Hop' Single, "Capsized" &#91;Video&#93; | date=22 May 2023 }}</ref> |- | 2023 || "DIZZY" || Matthew Jo || Yes || Yes || No || Yes || No || <ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zif0SOA9jiI | title=DIZZY by Matthew Jo (Official Music Video) | website=YouTube | date=2 June 2023 }}</ref> |- | 2024 || "Middle of Nowhere" || Rush Sturges || Yes || Yes || N/A || No || Yes || <ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7RQQQ1lojjo | title=Middle of Nowhere feat. Eric Earley of Blitzen Trapper Cartoon Music Video | website=YouTube | date=14 February 2024 }}</ref> |}

== Discography ==

Sturges has released three full-length albums and featured on the soundtrack for his film "The River Runner" which was released as an EP with the band TapWater. His 2024 album, "A Life Worth Living" features production by Steve Berlin of Los Lobos.

{| class="wikitable" |- | The Road is Gold * Released: 2010 |}

{| class="wikitable" |- | A Life Worth Living * Released: August 14, 2016 * Format: CD and Digital * Label: River Roots Records * Producer: Rudy Slizewski * Singles: "A Life Worth Living", "For the Love", "Days Go By" |}

{| class="wikitable" |- | The River Runner EP, Music from the Feature Film (with TapWater) * Released: August 20, 2021 * Format: Digital * Label: Rudy Slizewski * Producer: Rudy Slizewski * Singles: "Riding on a High" |}

{| class="wikitable" |- | Lessons in Folk Hop * Released: February 14, 2024 * Format: Vinyl (limited release), CD, and Digital * Label: River Roots Records * Producer: Steve Berlin and Rudy Slizewski * Singles: "Wild Places", "Growing Up", "Live or Die", "Northern California", "Capsized", "Take Them River", "Riding on a High", "Hustler", "New Day" |}

{| class="wikitable" |- | Lessons in Folk Hop: The Remix Album * Released: January 2, 2026 * Format: Digital * Label: River Roots Records * Producer: Steve Berlin, Rudy Slizewski, SugarBeats, Asher Fulero, Bnanaz, Sapient, David Ariza, Marv Ellis, Kennebec, Alex Asher Daniel * Singles: "Wild Places", "Live or Die", "Northern California", "Capsized", "New Day", "I Won't Break", "Alien" |}

== Kayak competition and awards ==

* 2003 Junior World Champion (Graz, Austria) * 2003 U.S. National Kayaking Team representative, World Championships (Graz, Austria) * 2005 U.S. National Kayaking Team representative, World Championships (Penrith, Australia) * 2007 U.S. National Kayaking Team representative, World Championships (Ottawa, Canada) * 2009 U.S. National Kayaking Team representative, World Championships (Thun, Switzerland) * 2011 Rider of the Year Award, Best Waterfall Line — First descent of Tomata 2 (Veracruz, Mexico) * 2012 3rd Place Whitewater Grand Prix * 2012 Rider of the Year Award, Expedition of the Year — The Congo River's Grand Inga Rapids (Democratic Republic of Congo) * 2014 2nd Place Whitewater Grand Prix<ref>{{cite web | url=https://paddlinglife.com/paddling-life-exclusives/threepeat-for-dane-jackson-in-ww-grand-prix/ | title=Three-peat for Dane Jackson in WW Grand Prix | date=13 May 2014 }}</ref> * 2015 15th Place Adidas Sickline Extreme Kayak World Championship, 15th place (Ötztal, Austria) * 2015 2nd Place Waterfall World Championships "Rey Del Rio" (Chiapas, Mexico)<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.tetongravity.com/video/kayak/kayaking-backwards-over-a-waterfall-waterfall-world-championships | title=Kayaking Backwards over a Waterfall - Rey del Rio Waterfall World Championships }}</ref> * Achieved multiple national and international podium finishes in freestyle and creek race kayaking.

== Film Awards ==

* 2025 People’s Choice Award, Wild & Scenic Film Festival — "Snow Leopard Sisters" * 2025 Best Feature, Alt EFF Film Festival — "Snow Leopard Sisters" * 2025 Audience Award, Doctober Festival — "Snow Leopard Sisters" * 2025 People’s Choice Award, Planet Focus International Environmental Film Festival — "Snow Leopard Sisters" * 2025 Change Maker Award, Kendal Mountain Festival — "Snow Leopard Sisters" * 2025 Best Film, People & Mountains, Ladek Mountain Festival — "Snow Leopard Sisters" * 2025 Best Documentary, Vienna International Film Awards — "The Human Side of Plastic: Babacar Thiaw" * 2025 Best Environmental Documentary, Soho London Independent Film Festival — "The Human Side of Plastic: Babacar Thiaw" * 2025 Jury Prize Best Documentary, SAFILM — "The Human Side of Plastic: Babacar Thiaw" * 2025 Best Director (Short Doc), New York Film & Cinematography Awards — "The Human Side of Plastic: Babacar Thiaw" * 2025 Three Gold Awards, Global Indie Film Awards — "The Human Side of Plastic: Babacar Thiaw" * 2025 Best Documentary Short, International Celebration of Cinema — "The Human Side of Plastic: Babacar Thiaw" * 2025 Best Film Essay, Darkland Munich Film Awards — "The Human Side of Plastic: Babacar Thiaw" * 2025 Winner, TVE Global Sustainability Film Awards — "The Human Side of Plastic: Abby Barrows" * 2025 Gold Award (Best Documentary), Hollywood Independent Filmmaker Awards — "The Human Side of Plastic: Abby Barrows" * 2025 Best Documentary, Big Water Film Festival — "The Human Side of Plastic: Abby Barrows" * 2025 Best Documentary Short, Westminster Film Festival — "The Human Side of Plastic: Abby Barrows" * 2025 Winner, CineYork — "The Human Side of Plastic: Abby Barrows" * 2025 Best Documentary Short, International Celebration of Cinema — "The Human Side of Plastic: Abby Barrows" * 2023 Best Short, Wild & Scenic Film Festival — "Paddle Tribal Waters" * 2023 Selection, International Avant-Garde Film Festival — "Paddle Tribal Waters" * 2021 Best Film for Mountain Sports, Banff Mountain Film and Book Festival — "The River Runner" * 2015 Best Adventure Film, Breck Film Festival — "Chasing Niagara" * 2015 Best Film for Mountain Sports, Banff Mountain Film and Book Festival — "Chasing Niagara"

== References == {{reflist}}

== External links ==

* Rush Sturges Official Website: https://rushsturges.com * River Roots Productions: https://riverroots.com

{{Canoeing and kayaking}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sturges, Rush}} Category:1985 births Category:Living people Category:American male canoeists Category:Kayakers Category:Whitewater sports people