Canoeing Safety 3 - Avoiding Obstacles in the Water
Trees and branches that have fallen into the river are to be avoided. The extent of the branches above water can be seen but we can’t see below through the water.
LOOK AT THE SIZE OF THE VISIBLE BRANCHES AND CALCULATE FROM THAT WHERE THE NON-VISIBLE BRANCHES MAY EXTEND TO.
Take your canoe wider than the estimated margin.
Tree stumps in the water near the bank. The river may be running higher than normal and tree felling may have occurred at low water.
ASSUME THERE MAY BE ADDITIONAL STUMPS NEARBY.
Take your canoe away from the river’s edge.
There’s rippling water ahead with a piece of branch sticking up 200mm.
CALCULATE THE SIZE OF THE BRANCH THAT MAY BE ATTACHED TO.
Give the snag a wide berth, the snag may be all you can see but like an iceberg, what is underneath the water could well be part of a large tree.
Eddies in the water (small circles of whirling water in the current), have been known to “catch” canoes and tip out the paddlers.
Google “Eddy, current, whirlpool” fascinating stuff, but our section of the river just has small eddies.
BE AWARE THAT LOCALS HAVE SEEN EDDIES CAPSIZE A CANOE
Keep an eye on the weather. Be aware of fading light. Get off the water if necessary
We love to watch the animals on the banks, kangaroos, farm livestock, and try platypus spotting.
Don’t get into trouble because the animals distract you. Watch the river too.
Don’t forget the other canoes as well. Be aware of them and their proximity to you. Paddle clear.
Man- made objects can catch the unwary.
What do you suppose connects the posts BELOW THE WATER LINE ?
Look for notices, READ THE ADVICE, HEED THE ADVICE
Enjoy your canoeing experience.
Photos and text by Lin Starke MVB