16 Paddlers in 15 kayaks and 1 canoe started off from the Courtenay Marina Park under sunny conditions. We immediately started upstream on the Puntledge River to explore the Kayak Launch area near Lewis Park and the 5th Street Bridge. The current in the river was running quite strong so we soon decided to head downstream towards the estuary and the Comox Marina.
We followed the main channel of the river marked by navigation signs that indicated a narrow channel in the river about 300 metres downstream of the launch site where the current was fast for a short run. The pylon supporting the navigation marker had caught number of logs. In attempting to maneuver through the log jam one paddler flipped over. They safely floated downstream and were able to exit the river on their own. Two others attempted to avoid colliding with the person floating in the channel. They collided into the logjam, their kayaks jammed together and were held against the logs by the force of the current. One of them tipped out and a quick thinking participant helped them get back into their kayak. Six paddlers in a passing outrigger canoe attempted to free the two kayakers but their boat was caught by the force of the river and became jammed up as well. The Fire Department was alerted. They worked with Comox Valley Search and Rescue Services who affected a rescue with no injuries sustained by anyone.
Lessons learned:
· Listen to and follow safety instructions provided by event leaders at the launch site;
· Fasten your PFD completely and leave it fastened while paddling;
· When paddling as a group in a river follow the path of the leader;
· Paddle in single file, not in social side-by-side alignments;
· Maintain space between boats to allow for manoeuvring;
· If a stationary object, pylons sweepers or log jams, appears downstream be aware it is necessary well in advance to manoeuvre into a path that will allow you to avoid colliding with it.
· Practice wet exits;
· Make sure your spray skirt fits snuggly but comes off easily;
· Never let go of your boat and or paddle if at all possible;
· Have all your gear secured - tied to your boat;
911, the Courtenay Fire Department, RCMP, and especially Comox Valley Search and Rescue Services served our situation professionally and expertly. We will be sending a Thank You note to these organizations.
