Canoe Drowning on Lake Ouachita

[Roger]

Anybody heard anything else?

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[Cowper]

Sad.

We can guess about whether or not PFD's were used, and how that might have changed the outcome, but I'd rather just point out that it is a good reminder for us to have a healthy respect for all water, whether white or flat.

From the perspective of someone who does "both" kinds of water (white and flat), I find that I often struggle with how to get folks to respect that flatwater has some dangers, while most understand from the get-go that whitewater can be dangerous. Many are doing whitewater because they WANT there to be some danger, and their enjoyment comes in part from knowing there is danger, and learning how to manage that danger, dance with the devil, and come out on top.

Some of the folks doing flatwater will tell you straight up that they are not looking for the excitement that comes from taking risks. But if they don't use their heads and maintain awareness of conditions and how they might change before the trip is over, they can get in trouble just like any whitewater paddler with the same potential for deadly results.

[lbaker]

Very well said, Cowper
So sad... so young... hard lesson.

[Richard]

Wind is the weather condition I dread the most. I am getting ready to launch on a 9 day trip down the Buffalo and we are going to be facing big wind on Wed-Thur. I am not looking forward to those two days. Boundary Waters, Lake Ouachita, Arkansas River . . . even the Buffalo . . . Anytime the wind and water differential gets above 15mph there can be trouble. On the Arkansas at Toadsuck, a 10mph north wind is hardly noticeable whereas a south wind at 10mph will cause churning waves because of the flow of the river.

[robkanraft]

Sadly, There was another drowning on Shoal Creek in Missouri last week that involved a male teenager. The three indicating factors were no PFD, lost paddle and low-head dam.