Canoe Air Bags

I can not ever remember seeing so many people on the river at the beginning of April.

With the lack of snow this winter and hot weather in early spring, water is already close to the levels of the summer. This means that many people have already left for a paddle. But remember that even if the weather has been unusually warm temperature of water remains a concern. An unexpected dip is always the risk of hypothermia. Make sure to take spare clothes in a waterproof bag with a cell phone.

While guiding a trip to Glen Morris to Paris the weekend of Easter, we met a group of canoeists who had the misfortune to capsize an hour above the dam in Paris. Half the group decided to hike, leaving 3 people in canoes solo the rest of the track. On another day, it may not have been a problem, but the forecast was calling for isolated thunderstorms and during the water temperature was still only 10 degrees Celsius. This group was totally unprepared, their jeans and t-shirts of cotton were still soaked their involuntary swim, none of them had a cell phone with them, and because of the approaching storm the headwind was the Prevention of these soloists to any distance. To make matters worse, it was almost 5:00 p.m. ET the temperature was beginning to decline.

We suggested that they would progress much better if in a tandem canoe and towing the other behind, but they do not even have a rope. It seems that the outfitter, they rented from had not even provided with painters. We suggested they call their provider to advise of their situation, but as there was no need to extract the outfitter can they planned to paddle the rest of the road. We gave them the rope they can at least in tandem and tow the boat now.

In assessments of risk management, we call it juggling lemons. Increasingly lemons are thrown in, it is difficult to maintain in the air. For this group, which started as a great day of the Grand River Basin could have quickly turned into a serious situation if they had been tossed another lemon or two.

Canoeing the Grand River is a recreation of the nicest I can think, and I hope that everyone can enjoy it, but please make sure you're well prepared, if you leave this season.