Scary swim through a fluffy level Falls

[NickHobbs]

Clay don't pay any attention to Don. We're all gonna swim sooner or later, it's part of it. Don have you ever paddled the falls at 5+ feet? Things are happening really fast at that level. Keep it up Clay!

[Don Harwood]

Clay don't pay any attention to Don. We're all gonna swim sooner or later, it's part of it. Don have you ever paddled the falls at 5+ feet? Things are happening really fast at that level. Keep it up Clay!

Nick is right! Didn't mean anything by it, just meant to coach you up!
Have done the falls at 5.3' in my Kingpin.

[737driver]

No offense taken. I boat for the pleasure and excitement for myself. I'm SWR trained and a SWR level 4 instructor. I would never attempt a run that I had not thought out the consequences before hand. I scouted this 5 minutes before the run. I knew I had to hit the line and if I didn't, I knew a roll was a must, but I had the back up plan in my head and I knew that a throw rope rescue was not an option at that level and I knew exactly where I needed to swim if I had to. I was waiting for a third roll attempt after going down the drop but I took a bad hit in the head and knew another hard hit may have been a disaster. It all worked out but this was not just a lucky day. It was a thought out escape plan and an excellent execution of a save when things do go bad. Newbies...don't try this at home until you are proficient at swimming in this type of water. Wanna learn how to swim like that, call Tom Borroughs. He will put you through the ringer, but you will be safer because of it.

[Don Harwood]

I'm sorry I said anything Clay!
Look forward to meeting you someday!
Again, didn't mean to beat up anybody!
And keep it up!

[737driver]

Really man, no offense at all and I'm always willing to lesson to instruction and criticism. That's how we all get better!

[Don Harwood]

Right on man!

[Canoe_Codger]

Thanks for posting this Clay. I got water in my ears just watching it!

Michael

[tomOzarkVideo]

I'm sorry I said anything Clay!
Look forward to meeting you someday!
Again, didn't mean to beat up anybody!
And keep it up!

Don, I hope these folks haven't soured you on giving advice on the board.
There seems to be a disconnect between keyboard and put-in lately.
Some forget to ask themselves wether or not they are talking to someone who has paddled since they were in diapers.
As a new instructor myself, I would be honored to take a course from you any day.

Respect,

TM

[Deuce]

If it will help I can probably find some footage of one of my half rolls. Pretty well mastered those.

[Don Harwood]

I'm sorry I said anything Clay!
Look forward to meeting you someday!
Again, didn't mean to beat up anybody!
And keep it up!

Don, I hope these folks haven't soured you on giving advice on the board.
There seems to be a disconnect between keyboard and put-in lately.
Some forget to ask themselves wether or not they are talking to someone who has paddled since they were in diapers.
As a new instructor myself, I would be honored to take a course from you any day.

Respect,

TM

Thank you very much TM!
When I hadn't been paddling whitewater but about 1 year, I got beat down a couple of times on some 4+ and the first time a guy shoved me off of a broach against a rock on Bobtail Creek that sent me off a 3-4 ft drop and pulled muscle from the bone in my left shoulder that took more than 6 months to heal and I still have problems with it.
The second time 2 months later, the same guy happened up just seconds after I crawled up the bank on Stepp Creek from another beatdown and told me I didn't have any business being on the creek and that I should go run easier stuff. Well, I was about hyperventilated and barely could stand up at the time so it kinda upset me a little bit.
But really, the guy was right!
I certainly didn't mean to sound anything like that to anybody and it really bothers me that anyone thought so.
I'm sincerely sorry to anyone and everyone who was offended by what I said.
In my defense, I used to be certified as a Level 4 Whitewater Kayak Instructor and a Level 5 SWR Instructor.
I have studied rolling and bracing extensively for years and taught people to roll in 15 minutes.
I have more videos and books on kayaking and rolling than the law allows.
I have degenerative knees and I'm 55 years young so I gave up formal instruction and I cant go paddling as much as I used to. But I still go enough and practice flat water enough to keep the main core of my skills up to snuff.
Also, sorry for starting so many lines with an I!

[tomOzarkVideo]

Cool, man. And, I certainly mean no disrespect to Mr Hobbs. Lord knows his kids are better boaters than me!

[hdh]

Don's Advice was spot on... btw
add more agressive paddling.... and i say that because I did the same exact swim a few months ago and w/ the same failed roll attempt.

watched that vid to figure out what i did and dougs(joe) as well.......the curler (that fliped you ) turned the boat to a up stream roll in crazy water .. thats my excuse,you can use it if you like.

[Ouachitoff]

Was the spot he flipped at BMF? making a mental note to watch out for that curler at that level.

[tomOzarkVideo]

If you get a min, check out Clay's post on Swimmers Anonymous group on FaceBook.

[Twindad]

Not to de-evolve this thread further, but as the recent recipient of unrequested advice, I can say it can be a bit of a downer on the river and elsewhere. My own rule is to offer advice only when the recipient is in danger. Otherwise, UFTS (acronym reversed).