What are the dangers of whitewater paddling?
Most people don’t realize that moving water is dangerous. It is very easy to swim across a pool, but if you have current pushing you along, rocks and strainers coming up, and waves and holes to throw you around, it gets a little harder ;>. I don’t want to scare anybody, but understanding the dangers of whitewater is the most important thing a paddler can learn. See the disclaimer at the top of this posting, if you haven’t already. Responsible paddling means not paddling alone (three boats is a good rule of thumb I’ve heard), paddling with proper and reliable equipment, and using your best judgment to avoid rivers and rapids which are beyond your skill level. A solid roll is important for whitewater paddling, as well. These are ways of mitigating the dangers of whitewater paddling. 3.1) How to swim in whitewater Walbridge and Sundmacher, in “Whitewater Rescue Manual,” separate swimming into two categories: defensive swimming and aggressive swimming. Defensive swimming entails floating o
