Growth Rings
By Bary Bruner
I’d guess it is the most common whitewater boater’s nightmare—round the river bend to see the freshly-fallen, fully-limbed tree spanning the entire river.
Although the tree was 100 yards in the distance, the current was swift and eddies were non-existent.
Running sweep, I saw my three companions heading river right for a small patch of calm water directly in front of the tree. However, not visible from a distance was a half-submerged log that created the calm, and this demanded a powerful boof to clear it.
Only one kayaker ahead of me boofed successfully; two were rejected, swept quickly out of sight under the tree. I spotted a patch of grass on the submerged log and was able to grab it and maintain a grip until rescued by the one companion who had been able to successfully boof into the pool.
Limbs on the tree blocked our view downriver so we were initially unsure whether or mates had flushed. Or not. My mind imagined the worst and very likely outcome. Only after spotting some brightly-colored objects on solid ground downstream did my sense of abject terror subside to acute trauma.
A bit of blood was spilled; a paddle was lost—minor carnage compared with the possible consequences.
Only minutes after assessing injuries/losses, foremost on my mind was what could I could learn from the experience to insure that I would never have to experience it again.
From my perspective, this was not a careless trip. All members were well-equipped for the class of this river’s run. Three of the four of us had run it multiple times—although a year had passed since the most recent run. Pre-launch, we had thorough discussion of the semi-permanent wood hazards, the concerning probability of new wood, the river’s swiftness, and the dearth of eddies.
We were on high alert.
Realizing whitewater kayaking can never be totally risk-free, I always attempt to minimize risks—helmet, pfd, guidebooks, competent companions, training and paddling river sections within my skill set. These precautions, serving me quite well for 16 years did not protect me from nearly being involved in a river fatality.
So, if I am not willing to expose myself to drowning under a tree, what else can I do to prevent that exposure?
I will no longer run rivers without the current beta (someone’s report or personal scout). My updated personal risk tolerance dictates it.
More obscure runs with greater objective hazards are exhilarating but, for me, are no longer worth the risk.
Kayaking is my primary recreational activity, but giving it up is an option if I cannot prevent a “near miss” such as the one with the tree. I’ve always valued old growth timber and want to increase the odds of being around to get a few more of my own growth rings.