05/22/2024
John and Anthea had a great time at the Des Plaines River Race this weekend!
Anthea is on the race committee and John was a safety boater.
John assisted 84 yr old Ken for about half of the race (9 miles) ensuring he was ok, hydrated and had food. Ken paddled the 18 1/2 miles solo but went for a swim about halfway through the race. John knew he needed a hand to make it to the finish so that’s what he did!
Anthea got a little action at the end when someone dumped their boat. When it was clear she was latching onto the swamped boat and floating downstream in the current, instead of swimming to shore, Anthea jumped in an empty boat that had just finished and rescued her.
People FIRST!
Never hang on to your ‘stuff’ always save yourself and the stuff can be retrieved.
Additionally, always think about your self rescue options before you need to use them. Unfortunately it never even occurred to this lady to attempt to swim her boat to shore. Just hung on and floated away. Luckily she was not right in front of a dam or strainer and luckily Midwest Paddling Academy was ready for action!
John and Anthea teach self rescue, rescuing a partner, paddling technique and reading the water in our classes!