By Gari Voss
Kayaking on the Kalamazoo River has replaced paddling in a canoe or floating down in a rowboat. What sounded like a great day for a kayak outing on the Kalamazoo turned into a stressful adventure for 21 youth and 4 adults.
The group pushed off from a business in Otsego on Thursday, August 1, 2024, with the plan to reach the Trowbridge Dam launch. The trip was going well until members of the group began overturning.
The call for assistance was received by Allegan County Central Dispatch at 2:59pm. The Allegan County Sheriff’s Deputies responded and called in the Allegan County dive rescue team and the Allegan County Marine Patrol. The amphibious teams were able to assist all 25 members of the group and their kayaks to shore with no significant injuries or fatalities.
Also responding to assist were the Otsego Fire Department, the Plainwell EMS, and the Pinegrove Fire Department.
On scene officers shared, “A significant contributing factor to this successful rescue was the fact that all participants were wearing their personal floatation devices.”
This groups displayed many of the basic steps for a successful trip. Kayaking trips can be fantastic experiences if basic safety rules are followed. Before any trip, check the weather conditions and select kayaking partners or form a group. Leave the trip plans with others not participating in the adventure.
Planning a Kayak Trip
- Plan a trip within your capabilities.
- Novice kayakers should look for calm, flat water with little wind. More advanced paddlers can work with some rapids and barriers.
- Choose smaller bodies of water like large ponds and small lakes or slow moving rivers.
- Locate waters that are popular with others so if there are problems, others might assist.
- Go where motorized boats are prohibited.
- Plan so you are paddling into the wind going and have the wind at your back on the way home.
- Stay near the shoreline which is really more interesting.
- If possible, just like when learning to canoe, practice tipping over in the kayak and attempting to move with the kayak and paddle toward shore where the kayak can be emptied if necessary and getting back in can be easier.
Equipment - Always wear a correct fitting personal flotation device (PFD).
- Carry a whistle. Three blows indicate there is a problem. Continue blowing until rescue arrives. If a whistle is not available, a cellphone can be used if kept in a waterproof case.
- A spare paddle can be helpful.
- Having a paddle float and learning to use it can eliminate loss.
- A towline can be useful in helping others to shore.
Clothing
Dress for the water temperature. Kayaking can be done in all seasons, but the water temperature changes. If the water is below 65-70 degrees, wear a wetsuit or dry suit to prevent hypothermia.
During the trip - Constantly check where other kayaks are located.
- Avoid collisions by maintaining distances side-by-side or in front of or behind.
