WHITEWATER PADDLER'S SAFETY GEAR CHECK LIST

 

During a recent safety meeting at The River Store, a paddle shop within earshot of one of Northern California's popular whitewater venues the South Fork of the American River, boaters sat circled in lawn chairs on the store's front deck.

Current Adventures Kayaking School & Trips' Dan Crandall leans in holding a rescue throw bag and tells them this about a group of paddlers at the access before getting on the river.
In his story, the more experienced paddler asks everyone if they have a throw bag?

Courtesy of the River Store

 The rookie to group shrugs it off saying he doesn't have one, but tells them, he'll be OK without it.
The veteran paddler quickly offers him his saying, "You'll need to be ready in case I need rescuing, but however," the veteran paddler warned, "If it's the other way around you just might be out of luck."
The story got a laugh, but Crandall's point should be well taken. You should be prepared for any situation when whitewater kayaking. The life you save just might be your own. 

El Dorado County SAR Swift Water training officer Tim Cannavaro says it's appropriate to bring basic safety gear on every outing down the river. All your equipment should be in excellent condition to avoid untimely failure and additional items may certainly be relevant or necessary depending on the individual's responsibilities and abilities.

"Accidents happen," said Cannavaro, "Even on easier local runs. Maybe not to your group, but someone else may be unprepared."

Current Adventures and The River Store recommends this safety gear checklist before getting on the river.

• Proper river running kayak with "high" volume and enough length to provide for ascending moves and quick response/hull speed in fast or high water situations. Good "grab handles for swimmers to access. Good Inner floatation. (Float bags or similar.)
• Personal equipment:
• "Rescue" style PFD with quick release tow tether, good flotation. (Less than 3-years-old or newer depending on previous use and UV exposure.)
• Dress to be "Wet" in case of a sustained "In-Water" rescue attempt.
• Float bags.
• Breakdown paddle in the boat.
• High pitch waterproof whistle. (Such as Fox 40 Classic Safety Whistle.)
• Rescue throw bag & rope. (70' Spectra recommended.)
• Waist belt. (tubular webbing)
• Four carabiners. (At least one locking)
• "Rescue" knife with secure but easy access sheath of pocket storage.
• Good footwear for shoreline activity, to be worn at all times both in and out of the boat. (Open-toed sandals are NOT a good option in most cases.)
• Two or more prusik loops.
• Cell phone in a waterproof case.
• Small waterproof flashlight w/ Lithium battery and spare battery.
• Egress Map with personal/local phone numbers. (Family, friends, CHP, Heli, 911, Shuttle Service, and area outfitters. Even without cell service, a text may go through.)
• Well-stocked First Aid kit.
• Including, face shield or similar CPR aid, bandages, sling, rescue "blanket" SAM splint, aspirin, glucose, cloth tape, shears, first aid "book" or cards. pencil and waterproof paper, Tincture of Benzoin, gauze pads, waterproof tape.

While all boaters should have proper skills and paddling abilities for the water they are paddling in, Cannavaro reminds us, that you should also bring along a healthy respect for any river that you're going to kayak to despite any familiarity with it.

"Especially on sections often paddled or local." said Cannavaro, "Comfort leads to complacency."

By being well prepared with these tools and knowledge to help in any rescue situation you encounter, Cannavaro says, it will make you a well-rounded member of your paddling team.

If you want more information about their recommended gear list contact The River Store at info@TheRiverStore.com

This article was originally published Outside Adventure to the Max on May 6, 2020.

 

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EARTH DAY 2021, LESSONS OF COVID-19

Earth Day was this past week marking the 51st anniversary of celebrating our planet. Last year's event was observed in the shadow of the Covid-19 pandemic. Under normal circumstances, the 50th anniversary of Earth Day would have been marked with worldwide celebrations, festivals, and massive clean-up efforts. All while promoting a cleaner, healthier environment worldwide.
Instead, we were all celebrating indoors while practicing social distancing. Under the guidelines of stay-in-place restrictions, environmental groups canceled all their outdoor activities and events and chose to rally online.

Little did we know then, but it what was in store for the rest of the year. Annual summer holidays like Memorial Day, July 4th, and Labor Day, we were told to stay in place and avoid large crowds. Health experts said the risks of exposure were reduced while being outside. Soon, the great outdoors began attracting people in unprecedented numbers. Dispersed camping was all the rage as folks attempt to hunker down in the quest to flee COVID-19.
By the fall of 2020, it has seemed like the pandemic might never end. The death tolls continued to mount as holidays were put on hold. But now, as we celebrate another Earth Day, it a bit brighter than the last one. Vaccines have been developed faster than most experts had imagined, and more than millions of Americans have been vaccinated. Sure, health officials are still advising caution. But, they are saying by this summer, we might be able to safely gather in small groups again.
In the past year, the Covid-19 pandemic has certainly brought devastation across the earth. But it also showed us how billions of its citizens could come together to protect members of society and ensure that those who need medical care can access it.
It showed how quickly, through international cooperation and science research, a vaccine could be developed and delivered to its citizens.

"Like Covid-19, climate change is affecting us all. It is already devastating communities, impacting public health, and taking a toll on economies," wrote a research professor Robin Bell, at Columbia University’s Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, in an opinion piece for Undark, "And it is exacerbating disparities, with poor and vulnerable populations being affected the most. But the same tools that we have sharpened during the pandemic — a willingness to engage with scientific literature, the will to take action, a sense of global connection — can be used to help address the health of our planet."
 

Lake Jenkinson at Sly Park

For years scientists have warned us about the effects of climate change. In California, water officials brace for more drought-like conditions as the state ends its third driest winter season ever. Typically the wettest months of the year are December, January, and February, but this year rain and snowfall at higher elevations in Sierra fell below average month after month. That means less water during the summer months for the state’s parched reservoirs and rivers.

“California is facing the familiar reality of drought conditions, and we know the importance of acting early to anticipate and mitigate the most severe impacts where possible,” Governor Gavin Newsom said at a news conference at Lake Mendocino this week.
He said, “Climate change is intensifying both the frequency and the severity of dry periods. This ‘new normal’ gives urgency to building drought resilience in regions across the state and preparing for what may be a prolonged drought at our doorstep.”

But as we all know, it not just in California. Hurricanes, wildfires, droughts, and floods continue to increase in frequency and severity around the world affecting millions of people.
If we have learned anything from the Covid-19 pandemic, is that we have to trust our science and take action globally. We must apply the same lessons used in solving our worldwide pandemic to address our climate crisis. It will only be through global cooperation that we will save our planet. Happy Earth Week. 

 

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THE PATH OF THE MOON OVER WATER: Tips On Paddling At Night

 

Joys come from simple and natural things: mists over meadows, sunlight on leaves, the path of the moon over water. -- Sigurd F. Olson

The two best reasons to ever buy a kayak rather than just renting one are for the stunning sunsets and splendid sunrises. Those first and last hours of sunlight, that photographers refer to as the "Golden Hour" creates a magnificent mood across the water as the sun slips behind the horizon or climbs steadily into the sky while gliding silently across the lake soaking in twilight’s peaceful enchantment.

On the other hand, there is magic in the night. After the sun sets in a fading crimson glow, while the rising full moon is casting an ethereal light upon the water and giving us just another reason to stay out on the water. There is a peaceful sense of stillness. The boat traffic along with the wind has died down while the birds and animals settle in till morning, leaving the nighttime paddler lost in space between the stars in the heavens and the serene of the water.

"It's one of my favorite activities," wrote Canadian paddler Harvey Chris Wittenberg, "Nothing better than glassy conditions during a full moon, when natural illumination is greatest. The only sounds you hear are the surf or your paddle breaking the water. A very serene "zen-like" moment."

Night paddling is not the time to explore new places. As the light fades as the world transforms into a silver a black panorama and keeping track of your bearings in the dark can be hard to correct. Distances are harder to determine and landmarks can be difficult to see. Wittenberg recommends, to scout out your route ahead of time and leave glow stick on a rock or tree at your launch point to help you find your way back in the pitch black.

"I've had a few times where it was not easy to find my launch point," writes Wittenberg, "Make sure if it is a new area to check it out during daylight first and leave a float plan along with an expected time you'll come back with a loved one,"

While calm inland lakes and protected sea bays usually work the best for a moonlight paddling trip. If choosing a river, it should be free of snags and rapids with a take-out point easy to spot in low light conditions unless you plan to paddle back against the current to your original access point.

For coastal tours, be aware of any changes in the weather that might make any part paddle more hazardous in wind, waves, and tide. Also, stay out of commercial shipping lanes. If available, try using GPS mapping to help you identify your location at night.

Consult the U.S Coast Guard's Navigation Rules and have on hand sounding devices, like a whistle or air horn, and some sort of telecommunication device, like a VHF radio or cell phone in a waterproof case and an emergency beacon to alert others who might be far away. Insect repellent and a jacket for cool weather are always a good idea and always wear your PFD.

The most important part kayaking at night, it's essential that you remain visible not only other boat traffic but also members of your own kayaking party. To help the group stay close together, place a battery or an inflatable solar light such as the Luci Light on your bow and stern. Keep in mind that artificial lighting actually hinders our night vision. Keep only the red light to preserve night vision.

Also, you can wear a bright LED headlamp and carry a reserve flashlight. If another watercraft approaches, you can turn your headlamp in that direction to alert other boats to your presence, but keep it off when kayaking or use the red light option to ensure the best view of the illuminating moon.

"It's good to carry a small light on the back of your PFD along with a headlamp," wrote Wittenberg, "I have fluorescent stickers on front and back of my kayak as well as on paddle because the paddle is the highest thing people will see. The best fluorescent stickers are the red and white ones you can get at a Marine store that work in sunlight and darkness, to put on either side of your kayak. Purchase a cheap green glow stick (for the front of the kayak) and a red one for the back."

Studying the mystery of the moon and stillness of the water while gliding silently along in night's enchantment is something every paddler should experience. In the dark, hearing nature’s symphony of frogs and crickets singing from the unseen shore while the moonbeams shimmer across the pond can be a truly magical adventure.


What to go...Check with your outfitter or local state park to see if they offer any moonlit paddle nights. Across the country, many of them provide guided sunset and full moon paddling sessions and with all the gear for a reasonable price. Northern California's Current Adventures has been taking paddlers of all skill levels on their popular moonlit kayaking excursion on Lake Natoma and Lake Jenkinson at Sly Park Recreation Area near Sacramento.

This article was originally published Outside Adventure to the Max on February 23, 2018.

 

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COVID-19 LINKED TO A RISE IN PADDLING FATALITIES

 
Thanks in part to the COVID-19 pandemic, paddlers flooded rivers and lakes around the country all in an attempt to get away from it all last year.

“It’s because of (COVID-19)," American Whitewater's Accident Database manager Charlie Walbridge told the Tennessean newspaper, "People are going stir crazy. They want to do something where they won’t expose themselves.”

But in Walbridge's new semi-annual report, 2020 also was an unprecedented year for deaths that occurred while paddling rivers. There were 48 deaths last year, which is well above average. The report tracks paddler deaths on the nation's whitewater rivers said that Tennessee saw the most deaths on its rivers with eight fatalities. Arkansas had seven deaths, and Washington reported six. Fatalities among skilled paddlers declined, although those involving inexperienced boaters increased. COVID-19 might be one reason why as kayak and canoe dealers quickly sold out and people rushed to get on the water for the first time.

"This has been offset by a big increase in those involving inexperienced people. Half the accidents (14) involved recreational kayaks, most of them in fast water or mild rapids," Walbridge wrote in his report, "My guess is that while many of us were staying home, others who own flatwater kayaks and cheap rafts were getting into trouble on local creeks. There were a large number of rescues reported, most involving rescue squads attending to stranded paddlers. Since experienced paddlers manage these situations themselves, this also points to an influx of newbies on fast-moving water."

As the interest in paddle sports continues to increase, so have the water-related fatalities. TheUnited States Coast Guard data shows that across the United States in 2005, canoe and kayaks made up 10% of all water deaths. That's been on the rise steadily since, and in 2019, 20% of deaths occurred on kayaks and canoes. Paddle safety leaders cite the same reasons they have been preaching for years. Inexperience, hypothermia, and mostly not wearing a PFD as the main causes of boating deaths. In American Whitewater's report, of the people who died, most were not wearing a life jacket.

“The basic message is the newbies need to wear a life jacket," Walbridge told the Tennessean, "Stay away from extreme water conditions and not use alcohol or drugs when they’re on the water, and that will prevent somewhere between 80% and 90% of the accidents."

Walbridge encourages beginners to take training classes, learn safety skills, and mostly know their limits before heading out onto the river.

The study serves as a reminder as we begin another season of paddling. Stop and thoughtfully consider your skills when you’re faced with something new and don't just fling into paddling.

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MARS ROVER FINDS KAYAK IN ANCIENT LAKEBED

The rover Perseverance ended all scientific theories that Mars has once had rivers, lakes, and seas with the discovery of a beached kayak in an ancient lakebed called Jezero Crater, last week.
"Fascinating is a word I use for the unexpected, in this case," said NASA scientist Peter Chekov, “It was simply staggering to see a boat in the dried-up lake bed. It's very, very clear that Mars was once a planet much like our Earth with oceans and rivers. And this is proof. Someone navigated those rivers and seas like highways in a kayak.”

Photos Courtesy of NASA

Since its spectacular landing last month, NASA's Perseverance rover has been roaming around inside Jezero Crater on a mission to hunt for evidence of past microbial life and collect samples for a return to Earth. Scientists think the crater was where a lake once was about 3.5 billion years ago. They were hoping to find evidence left behind in the rocks of past life forms.
Planetary scientists have long marveled at ancient evidence of flowing water carved in the Martian surface gigantic canyons, tendrils of winding river channels, and deltas where the rivers disgorged sediments into lakes.
However, the data and simulations have indicated that the water was almost gone three billion years ago. Scientists think that the kayak has been there beached in ancient crater lake bed ever since it dried up.

"That was a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away so speak," said Chekov, "But as we all know, kayakers like to boldly go where no man has gone before."

While the 17-foot kayak is estimated to be between 3 to 5 billion years old, scientists and planetary archeologists have no idea where it came from or who left it there. The Perseverance team tweeted, "This odd one has my science team trading lots of hypotheses."

“Who knows," said space archeologist Sherwood Smith author of Lost in Space, the Search for Treasures of the Universe, "Maybe some extraterrestrial either beached his boat or lost it. There's no evidence of advanced life on Mars. So, I don't think it was left behind by my favorite Martian but some other out-of-this-world paddler. Who knows how long it was floating around there before it washed ashore. But the ET paddler was able to phone home and catch a ride but obviously marooning his boat."

"That would have been one long paddle," said Dan Masters of Master of Disasters Outfitting & Kayaking, "Or at least one long portage. But I know guys who would probably do it. The universal aspect of kayaking is guys go where the water is or in this case was. There is no try. Just do. Paddlers will go everywhere taking epic trips to make first descents down wild rivers or go over 100' waterfalls. So going to another planet to paddle its rivers, oceans, or what have you is not out of the question."

The Perseverance will be headed to a river delta at the edge of Jezero Crater in hopes of finding signs of past life and who knows maybe even more kayaks.

"It's no secret that space is full of mysteries." said Chekov, "Our species has barely gone past our own planet's moon. We still can't explain a lot about the universe. Without a time machine, there is no way to observe how much water was on a younger Mars had and who paddled on those waters. I can only imagine."

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OVER THE BOW: FOLSOM LAKE

Rainbows reminds us that even after the darkest clouds and the fiercest winds there is still beauty. --- Katrina Mayer

"It might not have been the longest trip I have ever taken on Folsom Lake, but it was one of my most memorable ones," I wrote in my kayaking journal in March of 2014.
Enduring hardship and bad weather, or other forms of suffering—actually creates good experiences, says paddler and writer Tim Shuff. He called it a mechanism by which some of the most powerful moments of our lives are seared into memory.
"You go out expecting to find ecstasy and are instead surprised to find discomfort, and then endure discomfort to be surprised all over again by ecstasy," he wrote in Paddling Magazine, "Life is a roller coaster and I’m always amazed by my need to learn its lessons over and over again."

Storm clouds gathered as we took to Northern California's Folsom Lake that is part of the

Folsom Lake State Recreation Area. The reservoir and Folsom Dam is a watery expanse that extends about 15 miles up the North Fork of the American River and about 10 1/2 miles up the South Fork of the American River. It is located 25 miles east of Sacramento, California.
My paddling partner Erik Allen said we would be paddling in a little rain. While Erik is a gifted paddler, he missed it in regards to his weather-predicting abilities. It poured on us.

Blustery winds and driving rain came across the lake, giving us a feeling of kayaking on the high seas. Our boats bounced on the high waves in the teeth of the afternoon gale. The waves took us up and down soaking us to the skin with each splash in the lake.

But then after a toboggan ride in churning waves, the nasty storm subsided with the sun breaking through the stormy clouds and yielding a brilliant rainbow over the lake.

So I will remember if Erik says there will be rain to also plan on a rainbow.

Over the Bow is a feature from Outside Adventure to the Max, telling the story behind the image. If you have a great picture with a great story, submit it to us at nickayak@gmail.com

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CANOECOPIA: BUT WAIT THERE'S MORE

 Canoecopia was held last weekend. This year the annual was conducted as a virtual event due to the ongoing pandemic. Registrants were able to visit virtual exhibitor booths and showrooms, watch demos (more than 80 presentations and seminars), connect with exhibitors, and more. Paddling enthusiasts had text chats and participated in live Q&As with speakers during and after their presentation on topics including destinations, skills, history, conservation efforts, fishing tips, and fitness.

Organizer Darren Bush of Rutabaga Paddlesports wrote on the Canoecopia website, "What a great weekend! We're grateful you all came, and I hope it provided you with information and inspiration. We certainly learned a lot and look forward to integrating a lot of the online features into the in-person show."

I have to agree. I spent a good part of last weekend checking and watching video presentations about kayaking, canoeing, and camping. Some of my favorites included John Chase's tips on loading a kayak for a multi-day trip, Dan York's presentation on the Wild Rivers of the West. York added a few rivers to my bucket list. While paddler Mary Langlie reminded me why I just love to paddle in her talk.

NRS's Danny Mongno was both knowledgeful and entertaining, as he took me through his topics of dressing for the cold, the kayak's forward stroke, and selecting the perfect paddle.

And another highlight for me is tuning into Jerry Vandiver's concert of paddling songs. He is always a favorite of mine. His paddling songs speak to us all about the rivers and lakes we have come to cherish.

But, wait there's more. All the presentations, exhibitor booths, and community boards will be available online through May 16th, so my exploring has only just begun as I explore even more recorded presentations. If you missed out you can still buy a ticket.

Living in California, I've not been able to attend Canoecopia in person. But, this past weekend, I was able to see some new boats, get some valuable information. But most of all was to be inspired to know that there are a lot of men and women who are just as passionate about paddling as I am.

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