40th birthday yesterday.

runningboar

runningboar

Joined
May 27, 2006
Messages
2,325
I got to use some real life survival skills yesterday, my 40th birthday. Went canoeing on my favorite river in near flood conditions. My 17 year old son was in a brand new, unfamiliar kayak and got hung up in a strainer in the middle of the river, ending up rolling and barely keeping his head above water in 40 degree water and in the strongest current. I ran my wenonah up on the bank and killed myself to get to him scrambling out on to the log he was hung on and was able to get him out of the water, both of us were soaked to the bone from head to foot. I was able to get a roaring fire going with some fire straws, a flint rod and drift wood and we were able to dry out and warm up.

My sons brand new Old Town kayak, that he worked so hard for, and his bending branches paddle were all washed down stream. Me and my wife were happy that he was okay but he was destroyed that he lost all his hard earned gear, you value your things much more when you buy them with money earned working for minimum wage in a fast food kitchen. Luckily his yak washed against a jam and me and him were able to recover it, his 70 dollar paddle is gone forever though.

All and all I am very happy that everything worked out like it did and no one was hurt, and I learned some valuable lessons. If you think the river is a little high there is no shame in canceling a trip, and running a high river in an unfamiliar boat is not a very good idea. If anyone wants to tell me what an idiot I am, go right ahead, I have been saying the same thing for 2 days.:(

PS, My sons new paddle is on the way as I speak, compliments of his old man.;) Chris
 
I don't mean to sound trite, but one day you will look back and laugh. Or at least have one heckuva story to tell.

Dads and sons need to go through hard times together, it makes you both stronger. Glad you're both all right and he at least got his kayak back.

Bet you're DAMN glad you had those firestraws and flint!!
 
Glad you and the boy are ok. You get a couple of ticks as a great Dad from me.

1) Giving him the experience of working for his own things

2) Taking him 'out there' with you.

3) Allowing him to take risks and experience danger, which in my opinion is a rite of passage many men have avoided in modern society.

4) Showing him the real value of preparedness.

Priceless lessons.
 
I'm very glad to hear that a paddle was the only loss in the outing. Many adventures have been pricier, learning preparedness is often not so cheap! Also congrats on letting him take his own risks and not trying to nerf-coat his world.
 
You guys missed the important point Chris is old 40 years.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY OLD MAN
 
sasha said:
You guys missed the important point Chris is old 40 years.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY OLD MAN
Click to expand...

Ummm...sorry, but he still does not qualify as 'old.' Get back to me when he hits 55 or so.

Don't you know "40 is the new 30?" Or some **** like that.

Happy birthday, young man! (and proud papa)
 
Hey, I like that... if 40 is the new 30, that means I'm only 26, right?!? :thumbup:
 
Congratulations Runningboar! On all counts. I've never been one to back up from a good run on a high river, but I had the skills to do it safely. I took my son on such a trip one spring and we stood at the put-in watching people dump before they got out of sight. We spent the entire trip doing river rescue. I wished I had cancelled, but some of those folks might not have made it if I had. My son, and yours, learned from the experience.

Only 40? I wish! Happy birthday!

Codger
 
Happy Birthday, runningboar. One you probably won't forget, eh? (a little Canadiana thrown in there :) )
 
I say "eh" all the time and I've never even been to Canada.

Although you can practically see it from here... ;)
 
Chris,
.. and many, many happy returns my man!.. In a month or so I'll be 47.. So I am liking that new math that OldPhysics utilizes..:D

It's already been said here about your son and you being all the better for the experience which I agree wholeheartedly too.. You know what is said by the wise folks,"Whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger." Sorry for the cliche, but in this case I do believe it is appropriately applied.. You are a good Dad, cause while I was reading through your post prior to the end, I thought to myself that I would replace his paddle if I were you,, and low-and-behold you did. Great life lesson story!:thumbup:

Blessings,
Anthony
 
Thank you all for the kind words, I have talked to my son at length about what happened. Me, him and my wife are fairly experienced and proficient in canoes, we have all run the same river many times in similar conditions. What got my son in trouble is he has watched playboaters in WW kayaks in the current doing eddy turns and going back up into the current and thought he could get a lot closer to the trouble and spin his yak and get out of it. Well he found out his 9 and a half foot rec boat doesn't handle quite like a purpose built playboat and after only having it in flat water he doesn't have the skills either. Saturday on the river by the time he realized it, it was too late.

Back onto survival, firestraws rock!!!! if sealed properly they are totally water proof, light readily with just a spark and burn plenty long enough to get the rest going.:thumbup: :thumbup: Chris
 
runningboar said:
I got to use some real life survival skills yesterday, my 40th birthday. Went canoeing on my favorite river in near flood conditions. My 17 year old son was in a brand new, unfamiliar kayak and got hung up in a strainer in the middle of the river, ending up rolling and barely keeping his head above water in 40 degree water and in the strongest current. I ran my wenonah up on the bank and killed myself to get to him scrambling out on to the log he was hung on and was able to get him out of the water, both of us were soaked to the bone from head to foot. I was able to get a roaring fire going with some fire straws, a flint rod and drift wood and we were able to dry out and warm up.

My sons brand new Old Town kayak, that he worked so hard for, and his bending branches paddle were all washed down stream. Me and my wife were happy that he was okay but he was destroyed that he lost all his hard earned gear, you value your things much more when you buy them with money earned working for minimum wage in a fast food kitchen. Luckily his yak washed against a jam and me and him were able to recover it, his 70 dollar paddle is gone forever though.

All and all I am very happy that everything worked out like it did and no one was hurt, and I learned some valuable lessons. If you think the river is a little high there is no shame in canceling a trip, and running a high river in an unfamiliar boat is not a very good idea. If anyone wants to tell me what an idiot I am, go right ahead, I have been saying the same thing for 2 days.:(

PS, My sons new paddle is on the way as I speak, compliments of his old man.;) Chris
Click to expand...


Thank God, and Happy Birthday Chris!!!!!!! Makes for a good story, and an excellent lesson learned. :thumbup:
 
Happy Birthday! I'm glad to hear that you and your son are ok. Look on the bright side you got everything back except a paddle. It sounds to me like he's got a helluva dad to not only pull him out, but get him a new paddle too. Lucky kid! Hope you had a good birthday aside from that.
 
Chris, Happy Birthday!!

All in all, it worked out. Retreiving the boat was 2nd only to "the ordeal".
Only losing some paddles was minor, at best.

These are the types of things that make us quickly much smarter.
Experience is the best teacher. And, interestingly enough, the 'WHAT IF Scenario' comes to us, we have heard it before:

What if you dump your canoe, in cold water, and need to get a fire started?
It can happen.

Glad to hear you guys are OK :thumbup: :thumbup:

Happy Birthday!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top