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I remember one of the first times I capsized while kayaking. The very moment when everything was going so well and then slam I'm upside down in the icy Otter Tail River thinking, oh no! What should I do?
There's is no doubt about the novel coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic has certainly capsized everyone lives. As of this writing, the US has the most confirmed cases at more than 245,00. More than 6,000 people have died in the US. Those numbers continue to rise as officials tell us to brace for what will likely somewhere between 100,000 and 240,000 dead Americans.
To slow the rate coronavirus cases down, public health officials have extended the stay-at-home order till the end of April. The practice of social distancing is now the norm, recommending that people shelter in place and stay more than 6-feet away from each other they must leave their homes. For millions, the world has come to a halt with orders to stay in place.
While outdoor activities such as walking, running, biking and hiking are still allowed while practicing distancing guidelines, the threat of the coronavirus has certainly extinguished many outdoor enthusiast's pursuits. In March, the ski season came to an abrupt halt even as spring snows blanket slopes as resorts closed due to the outbreak of the virus.
As the ripples of the outbreak spread, popular paddling events like Canoecopia were canceled also.
“We had to call it, there’s just too much at stake,” organizer and Rutabaga Paddlesports owner Darren Bush told Paddling Magazine, “We saw the COVID-19 develop so rapidly, we decided to do the right and safe thing. The paddling community is so supportive, I’m confident we’ll recover quickly. We wanted our customers and staff to be safe, full stop.”
Deemed non-essential, the coronavirus outbreak has led to a tsunami of temporary store closings of major outdoor retailers like REI and Dick's Sporting Goods.
"I believe it is our duty," wrote REI's president and CEO Eric Artz in the company's CO-Op Journal, "To do all we can to help keep one another safe in this unprecedented moment."
While small business paddle shops across the country that are usually kicking off their spring season have been left floundering in the wake of the outbreak.
"We hope to be able to reopen when the shelter orders are lifted," wrote Northern California's The River Store on their FaceBook page, "These are tough times for everyone and virtually all businesses and their owners and employees."
Kayak and canoe manufacturers are also feeling the impact of coronavirus as some have suspended operations to comply with mandated "shelter in place" orders.
"We are still working to understand this mandate and we have decided to extend the temporary suspension of our Old Town, Maine operations through at least the week of April 6." wrote Johnson Outdoors Watercraft's Larry Baab in an email, "Current and future unfulfilled orders will ship once the temporary suspension has been lifted."
While Minnesota based Lighting Kayaks made the switch from making paddling gear to face shields for medical personal.
"I got a call from my friend in Australia who owns a kayak accessory business and he had switched production to making face shields," Lightning Kayaks CEO Stuart Lee told KARE 11, "He said, 'I'm getting hundreds of requests from the U.S., you should think about doing this.' I hung up and I started calling local suppliers that we get materials from to see if we can source the materials and sure enough, we could."
The COVID-19 outbreak has cast uncertainty on how the paddling industry will proceed into the summer. Outfitters at whitewater rafting destinations have been forced to canceled trips through May 1 at many locations across the country.
“Like we’re not going to have a season?” asked Bob Hamel, executive director of Arkansas River Outfitters Association in an interview with Out There Colorado, “I don’t think we want to go there yet, that’s for sure. We can deal with high water or low water but, well, coronavirus is not in the playbook. It’s a wait-and-see situation.”
The Grand Canyon National Park has already suspended all river rafting trips through May 21, which includes all commercial, administrative, and private trips washing the plans of many would-be rafters.
“We start planning these trips up to a year in advance,” Professional River Runners' manager Beth Roeser told National Parks Traveler, “And we’ve already lost about 17 trips so far. But, we’re all in this together, and we're doing right by both our employees and our clients.”
Still is Spring enteral and optimistic flowing as paddling groups, companies and even individuals try to balance their desires to get out and paddle with the realities of the world as the pandemic spreads. Whether on the lake or river, experts say paddling remains a safe and great way to just get away from it all, as long as you act responsibly.
Before getting on the water, you should choose trips that are closer to home to avoid the need to make stops where you may encounter more people. Remember also that many of the public water access sites such as state parks have been temporarily closed. So be sure to check ahead to see if paddling on the waterway is not prohibited.
On a river trip, limit or avoid shuttling. Look at a shorter run, where you can walk back to your vehicle. If unavoidable, consider facemasks and opening windows in cars, separating drivers and passengers in front seats and back. Use standard measures of handwashing and sanitizing.
At the put-ins and take-outs, keep a 6-foot distance between others and avoid large crowds. Once on the water, it should be easier to keep a distance, but those rules still apply.
While paddling always carries some risks, boaters should shy away from more difficult conditions such as high water, heavy winds or difficult rapids that could lead a rescue situation and lessen the burden on an already stressed emergency medical system.
As any paddler can attest, being upside underwater is not where anyone wants to be. However, as each day goes by, we are left swimming in a confusion of endless restrictions and financial woes accompanied by isolation and lockdown all while we continue to struggle with this major overlying health concern that threatens our family, friends and even ourselves.
As it has been said and repeated over and over ever since this global pandemic began, we are certainly living in interesting times. Stay safe everyone. We hope to see you all out on the water soon, from a distance of course.
