A pucker moment

[Colonel Angus]

I hit my local flow today. And I will put it out there it was a "FLOW" today. Much quicker than usual. I approached my typical take out point. The take out point I need to hit is about a four foot wide trail that meets the creek with steep banks on either side. Normally the take out is in shallow 4 or 5 inch riffles. Today still shallow at 18 inches but moving fast. I saw my point coming and man was I bookin it. That was about when the fact that I had to do something hit me (the body starts to numb). the typical paddle strokes are of no use at this flow but I still gave it the old college try to no avail. Then the feet go over board trying to act as a brake. I think I should have broke something by doing this but I survived. Now I am at my take out and moving. There is no paddling upstream with the fast flow. This was the moment. I turned the yak side ways with two quick strokes and bailed to my knees in front of the yak. At that moment that light yak with the force of the water behind it was light no more and pushing at my back. Just another reminder to me how powerful water is. I managed to fight her off with one arm and get to my feet. I grab my tow rope, tied it to the bow and walked her in.

I had made my plan for the day a severely underestimated the approach to my take out. I don't want to disclose the details of the after action review I conducted with myself (the are children using this site). I would think the moral of my story is: "Never underestimate the power of water".

[w2n]

wow. gald your ok.

if there is a guage for where you where, have you gone back and looked at what the flow rate was at the time? if there is, and you saw what the flow rate was, write that down, and dont go in there again if its at that number.

scary poop dude.

again, glad you made it out ok.

[jfrancho]

The USGS is very useful: http://waterwatch.usgs.gov/

Be careful man!!!!

[vakayakangler]

First let me say Kudos for sharing your story, it may save someone from making a mistake that could lead to serious injury or worse. Takes brass ones to step up and say that you were "concerned" ....


One tip, and I am not SURE this applies, but probably... guys?

When you bail in moving water, at least in the ocean, you are supposed to bail in the off side of the yak, to avoid just the same situation you document above... where your yak can become a dangerous missle. In the surf landing, you always exit on the water side vs. the beach side so that an incoming wave can't hammer the yak into your body and "Severely" injure you...

I would suggest that you consider jumping off on the upstream side with the bowline in your hand so that you pull the boat back upstream to you. Work? Probably, but less than you might think without your weight in the yak, and with the bow turned into the current. Also much safer than having the yak knock you down or knock you off the boatramp... etc.

[Too Busy]

Thanks for sharing and really glad you're ok
never go out on the downstream side. That was lesson 1 in rafting school.
in the suds, never get between yak and shore... EVER

[BMP]

Thou shalt always stay upcurrent of thy kayak.

A good commandment to keep.

Glad your ok, Angus. Sounds like you almost became Angus Patty. (Sorry)

[vakayakangler]

Sounds like you almost became Angus Patty. (Sorry)

I don't care who you are...

That's funny...

okay... maybe not if you're Angus....

No...even then.

[w2n]

and i bet it woundnt taste anywhere as good as this one...



well unless you were on Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571 and on a rugby team.

[Colonel Angus]

Thou shalt always stay upcurrent of thy kayak.

A good commandment to keep.

Glad your ok, Angus. Sounds like you almost became Angus Patty. (Sorry)

Ouch!

[Colonel Angus]

and i bet it woundnt taste anywhere as good as this one...



well unless you were on Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571 and on a rugby team.

Double ouch!