It almost happened today

[Don Harwood]

Very well put, Dan!
Thank you bro!

[paddledog]

I did an experiment today.
I played wave cop.
I sat at the river right side, in my boat in the eddy.
It took about two times for me to raise my hand to stop the tubers/swimmers until the wave was clear.
They gathered up and went down when I motioned them through.
I am not saying this is the final answer but by the time I left (two hours later) it was
happening on it's own.
The down side here is we are organized club but there is no tubers club to coordinate with.
Let's just give it a chance to work, we can all get what we want.

[Don Harwood]

All paddlers can do much just by being a good example to others and over time many will learn just from that alone!

[BHK Okie]

THANKS , it's in my phone now

[tomOzarkVideo]

If it hasn't been clearly stated enough by one of NWA's best and most experienced paddlers (Dan), let me say it too...

Take the over-dramatic, eager to prove your SWRT, doomsday crap, start a club and talk it out at the coffee shop.
This spot has been an access nightmare for decades.. Let's not go back to the 90's by running our mouths.
This has been an amazing gift for our community and every aspect of the park is under daily review by people that have WAY more experience in paddling, rescue, crowd dynamics and hydrology than 99% of the whole club.

Believe me when I say this; they have already thought of every suggestion you can throw at them. Wheels are in motion, enough is enough, grab a paddle and go get some surf already!

[Cowper]

Seriously? Since when has "smarter people than us are working on this" been a criterion for ending ANY discussion on this message board?

http://www.agfc.com/fishing/Pages/BoatingPaddling.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I know that some of these websites are not always accurate relative to the actual laws, but FWIW the one linked above says under "Laws for Canoes, Kayaks and Inner tubes on Arkansas Waterways" that "Children 12 and under must wear a life jacket, which must be securely fastened while on board any vessel."

Whether that is an accurate presentation of the law or not, it certainly gives anyone who wants to a good excuse to advise parents that they should put PFD's on the young ones or risk a fine. I wouldn't take the "preachy" approach, so much as the "hey friend, I'm trying to help save you some money" approach.

It seems to me that both Malvern and Siloam could as a minimum enforce the above interpretation of the law. Would they get 100% compliance? Of course not, but even if all they did is hand out an occasional warning ticket or just give a few semi-stern lectures, it would help educate the parents and get a lot of the little ones into PFD's.

[prophet]

i'm just glad the kayakers have someone to look down on now

[tomOzarkVideo]

Seriously? Since when has "smarter people than us are working on this" been a criterion for ending ANY discussion on this message board?

Well, never... Wait.. There was this one ti... No.. Yep.... Never.

[Don Harwood]

i'm just glad the kayakers have someone to look down on now

Ha ha ha!!!

[onewillpaddle]

I believe they can pass a city ordinance for life jackets at the park.

[Hcarr999]

I agree with the ordinance since it is city property.

[Yarbrough]

You know a lot of these kids / tubers / non life jacket wearers will probably be inspired by watching the kayakers to become kayakers themselves. Everybody has to start somewhere and in my opinion this whitewater park will create more whitewater enthusiast.

[paddledog]

I believe they can pass a city ordinance for life jackets at the park.

The river is not part of the park.

[davidbob]

i'm just glad the kayakers have someone to look down on now

That just brought a tear to the RBF's eye.

Speaking of the RBF, I have good news and bad news. The good news is that Kenny has 2 new hips! The bad news is that one of them is dislocated.

[Hcarr999]

The AGFC requires any on under 12 yrs of age riding in a tube to wear a pfd. http://www.agfc.com/fishing/Pages/BoatingPaddling.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;