Susky river rescue during high water

[Susky River Rat]

Very very lucky that this was not a recovery. I know the area they were rescued around. That water is rough on a normal day. To give everyone an idea the river was between 13 and 14 feet.  I fish this area between 3.5 and 8’ This means the water was well into the boat ramps parking lot. Not to mention all the debris, trees, trash, 55 gallon drums, you name it. I’m very glad everyone is safe.  Link below. 
 

https://www.abc27.com/local-news/paddle-boarders-rescued-from-susquehanna/amp/

[GRiver]

People never cease to amaze me. 

[TnRiver46]

Not a good day to be paddle boarding 

[livin2fish]

Paddle boarders on a river in flood stage???????

[Susky River Rat]

@TnRiver46 @livin2fish I don’t think anyone should be paddle boarding on that river ever. Much less that section which is rough and Rock ledge riddled. Than the height the river was at no one should have been on it period. I am one to push limits but, that is well past mine in my boat. 

[TnRiver46]

People paddle board the Atlantic Ocean but it’s time to drop back and punt when a hurricane is present 😂 

[Susky River Rat]

@TnRiver46 I can’t say I have ever personally saw someone on a paddle board in the river. One simple reason if you fall off you’re hitting rocks. 

[gim]

1 hour ago, livin2fish said:

Paddle boarders on a river in flood stage???????

Not very smart.

[TnRiver46]

6 minutes ago, Susky River Rat said:

@TnRiver46 I can’t say I have ever personally saw someone on a paddle board in the river. One simple reason if you fall off you’re hitting rocks. 

Where I used to work weekends renting paddle craft, we told everyone to stay kneeling until they reached the channel, they couldn’t understand why. I tried to explain to them a swan dive into a boulder hurts but as my old boss always said “some people you just can’t reach” 

 

I’ve seen people paddle board some gnarly white water

[CountryboyinDC]

There are people that paddleboard the Gauley all the time (of course there's one guy who snorkles the upper); it's all a matter of how well-versed in whitewater you are.  John Grace did the entire length in 2010 when paddleboards were still not designed for whitewater.

 

The problem is the who.  This week is pretty epic for the Potomac as well for whitewater paddlers.  But I won't go out in the places where hikers or casual walkers can access the river easily.  This year we had 2 drownings and several near drownings where kayakers rescued people who tried to swim in high water events.  I don't want to feel responsible to try to help these people who tempt fate in this way.  I always try to rescue kayakers in my group when I'm able, because they realize the challenge for the rescuer and generally follow directions. I suspect the folks who decide to cool off in a boily, whirlpool-ridden river would be much harder to rescue.

 

2 19 year olds tried to huck off Pummel in a tandem recreational kayak on Great Falls.  Most with the skill and knowledge to run Pummel at all would tell you it's unrunnable by anyone at the level they tried.  One got airlifted (I'm not sure if he lived) and one miraculously flushed out and made it to shore and was rescued without serious injury.  The amazing thing was a buddy of mine found the boat a mile and a half downstream, and it looked pretty good for what it had been through. Perception should use it for advertising.

 

I've done some stupid stuff, but I just wonder with what people try, how they've lived this long.

[Susky River Rat]

I just saw they are also searching for a missing kayaker since Saturday. They were in a creek he went under and never surfaced. My guess is they weren’t wearing a life jacket.
 

Sadly, this is what happens when you can spend $200 at Walmart. Then go out on the water with no education and have no clue what you are getting into.  What the answer to this is I have no clue. I do not think a boater safety course would cover what they need to know. It’s easy for us to say it’s all common sense. 

[fin]

21 hours ago, TnRiver46 said:

“some people you just can’t reach” 

 

😆 I'm stealing that.

 

People that don't know how to swim jump in the water all the time. I don't know how you prevent that.