The Dangers of the River

On October 20, Shane Hulsey, Education Director for the Cahaba River Society and an experienced kayak instructor, drowned in a kayaking accident on Little River in northeast Alabama. Words cannot express our sorrow and sympathy to his family and friends, especially our friend Sierra, who lost her brother.

This tragic death is a sobering reminder that even a skilled expert can never anticipate and avoid all the hidden dangers. But we can either stay at home and safely live out our days watching TV, or we can do our best to savor life while minimizing the risks. Some of us will be kayaking and canoeing the Choctawhatchee this winter and spring, but if we are honest with ourselves we are probably better at birding than boating. Although low-gradient "sluggish" Coastal Plain streams may seem comparatively safe, they present their own hazards. Speeding motorboats are a serious problem on the river; paddling near the banks will reduce the collision risk. With rising water, the combination of swift currents and submerged logs and cypress knees makes for treacherous conditions. There are also many side channels, oxbows, and potentially a vast area of flooded forest to get lost in. If you are going to be on the water, go with someone else, keep an eye on the weather, always wear flotation, always carry a topo map and GPS unit, and always tell a third party where you will be and when to expect you. You can never eliminate the risks of boating, but you can minimize them. Be careful.