Champaign Ski and Adventure Club Outdoor Activity Reports PART 3.

[Mike Metz]

To All,          On Sat. June 6th  7 of us traveled to Decatur,IL. to ride bicycles on the Scenic Stevens Creek Trail about 15 miles.  It was a great day to start our rides for this summer.          On Sun, June 14 , 12 of us paddled  a high and rough Big Pine Creek near Attica,IN. This was the first time in a couple of years we had enough water to paddle. MORE THAN ENOUGH!!! The gauge at Big Pine Village read 9ft. Now this didn't mean it was 9 ft deep where we paddle. That would be suicide. There is also a gauge on the bridge at the put in at Rainsville,IN.. It read about 2ft -2 and 1/2ft.  That would mean about 3 ft. waves in the shingles. The shingles is a stretch of river about 1/4 th  mile with constant rock drops that really ramp up the excitement. 3 ft. waves. I have paddled my solo and open canoe on Big Pine when the gauge read 8 ft but never 9. I was about to take my kayak with a spray skirt when our good friend Nick called and wanted to go. Nick is my size so he needs my bigger kayak. OK I thought. I'll just have to see if I can still survive the shingles at 9 ft on the gauge. OK NIck your in. So off we went to Indiana. Everyone but Scott Dahmon with a kayak had a spray skirt. That put him into the same bad fix as me with an open canoe in rough water. OK here we go. I put in last as usual to help anyone who gets in trouble [ except me ].when we got to the shingles it was pretty wild. We compare it to a washing machine. Waves from all sides. I tucked in behind Nick. I told him to make sure to keep the kayak straight. Halfway thru Nick got hit by one wave from the right in a wave trough then got hit quickly by one from the left. it tipped him over. I avoided him and pulled to the side and watched to make sure he got out. He did with a surprised almost shocked look on his face. A friend of Scotts' from Chicago pulled up to help Nick while I tried to stop the full kayak. I saw a large rock and had to slam my canoe into it but I managed to stop Nick's kayak. While waiting for Nick I emptied my very full of water canoe. Whew!!!  I think now I can make it thru the shingles. WRONG!!  We all got going but the waves were big. I managed to make calm water but my totally full canoe rolled over with me hanging on. Wow!  That was crazy I thought as I emptied the canoe. But we still had to survive the S Turn. Numerous waves then the biggest yet, four feet if you are in a wave trough. I was bailing water and looked up and realized I was heading into the worst place. OH SHIT!  Big wave hits from the right. Completely fills my boat, then wham! A wave from the left knocks me out of the canoe. Except for my right foot that is stuck under my seat, meanwhile the big waves are trying to tear my leg off [.And three weeks later I am still limping'] I'm hanging with my right leg under the seat and the first thought that comes to me is that I forgot my Go Pro camera and what a video this would have been. This all probably happened in less than 10 seconds. I got my foot loose and my water shoe fell in but popped up in front of my face I grabbed it hard. Meanwhile my wife and friends were trying to stop my full canoe. I tried to stand up but the current was too strong and chest deep. I had to use that technique you always hear about, to keep your feet in front of you. Finally, the worst was over. the rest of the river was pretty easy. Scott Dahman also had a lot of trouble also with his open kayak. The most amazing person I think was Sue Plische who got into one of our novice type kayaks, luckily with a spray skirt,  and made it all the way without tipping.  And only a few years experience. That's incredible!        And  what did I learn from this? I have been paddling Big Pine for over 30 years. And this was my worst experience. I can't expect my light, low sided, open canoe to float in that kind of scenario. I don't like kayaks. But I got some twinges of memory. I started digging around in closets and boxes and found some white water canoe air bags I had bought at a garage sale. Would they still hold air? I blew them up and they did for two days solidly. OK  What else do I have. I remembered some dear friends { Gary & Ginny } do you still get my e-mails?  Several years ago they gave me a white water canoe saddle. Now what?   My canoe will never be a white water canoe but I think I can make a hybrid out of it. With some work I should be able to stay afloat with the air bags and saddle. I'll keep you all advised. Again, if you are leaning on the fence about joining us please do it. If you think any of this sounds like fun, come join us. Until next time.          Mike & Anja Metz