The poor choices have been coming out of the woodwork. We have had unseasonably immense rainfall, high water, and flooding. ...and this, some how, makes people decide it's time to try their first river run in their dick's sporting goods recreational kayak or that walmart inflatable tube. ...Folks! These are not just flowing rivers, they are flooded rivers! That means lots of debris, tree branches, entire trees, river wide blockages, ...not to mention lots of fast flowing water that surges violently and has rough hydraulics. Over 4 days we have had 2 Eno River
rescues, 3 Haw River rescues, and 1 Neuse River rescue. Eno rescues were
folks in recreational kayaks, Haw rescues included 2 tubers on a 12,000 cfs water day going over Bynum Dam, 1 was a couple in
recreational kayaks, 1 was a couple in a canoe that involved a
helicopter rescue, Neuse rescue was a family of 5 in tubes.
As
we teach in all of our kayak classes - know what you're getting into,
be realistic about your (and others) abilities, and make good educated choices.
Whitewater paddling can be one of the most amazing, opening, spiritual, freeing things ever. Take a class, go out with an experienced buddy, approach the sport/activity with the idea of learning a new skill set. Get out and enjoy the water!
