1998
by Sheila Huber
It was going to be fun. My husband and I were going kayaking with some friends. The people we were going with had gone annually for five years. This, of course, was our first time. I'll admit I was a little apprehensive about going. I'm not fond of trying new things, especially dangerous things. I'm the person who still hasn't even tried the corkscrew at ValleyFair!!! Needless to say, we went.
We rented the kayaks from an outfitter on the Brule River. Not one in our group rented helmets. In the beginning, it was fun. I liked the people we were with, the weather was nice, and I felt pretty secure about getting in this thing – the kayak, that is. We got to the river. "Hey, great," I thought, "this looks easy!" Well, by the time they finally got my life jacket on, shoved me through the little hole in the boat, and tied me in with the so-called skirt, I was scared!!! I was handed a paddle, and shoved off. "Well," I thought, "this is O.K., the water is calm, the weather is nice, and these people wouldn't let anything happen to me, "I'm being silly to act so scared!" So, we all paddled off. I got used to the claustrophobic feeling I was having, managed to figure out the paddle, and even laughed a few times. Of course the large wineskin wrapped around my neck gave me another sense of self confidence. Twenty minutes down the river it was half gone! I had even gone ahead of the group a few times in the calm water.
There were eight of us, and we were all laughing, splashing, and having the time of our lives, when suddenly there was a log and, of course, I went over. P--A--N--I--C, and panic I did! You must remember, this was my first time ever in one of these things, and also the first time I had ever experienced this horrifying feeling. Nobody tipped me before we left, and no one told me what to expect when, in fact, I did go over. Talk about scary, my God, I thought I'd never get out. Before I knew it, my husband was to my rescue (Thank God for husbands). What was only seconds seemed like minutes, several minutes, more than several minutes, I think. At that point I knew nothing, only that I wanted out of the river. My legs were shaking so badly I thought I was going to tip again from them banging the sides of the kayak. Well, of course we weren't going to all get out of the river because I had a fall. Most of the men were trying to tip just to stay cool. Now remember, they had gone several times before.
Anyway, as the trip went on, it only got worse. I hated kayaking, and I think everyone hated me. I was constantly going over, getting caught on the rocks, and making everyone miserable. By the time six hours had gone by, I wanted out. It was raining and lightning, I was crying, I was cold, I was losing control, not only of the kayak, but of myself. Believe me, I was a sight! Bruises, blood, and bewilderment. I had to get out. Enough was enough, I was honestly scared of losing my life. I thought about the kids at home, and I cried even harder. I kept asking how much longer before we can get out? The reply was always the same, "about another hour". This was the last time I would ask.
I decided I wanted no part of the kayak anymore. I was willing to pay any damage that might come to the kayak, and at the first cabin I saw, get out and let it go down river by itself (I forgot to mention, there were no cabins earlier along this river, only wilderness.) I got out of my kayak, and caused three major catastrophes behind me. Everyone was in the water, everyone was mad, and I was hyperventilating. Promising God all the things I would do for the rest of my life, and promising all of the things I would never do again, if He would let me out of this river alive and well, I spotted the cabin! I decided God gave me another chance, He was going to let me live. For many hours, and many miles, I felt this was the end. I thought this was my ride with death. When I got out of the kayak, and out of that rumbling river, I swear in the background, ever so faint, I heard the sound of dueling banjos! I walked the rest of the way to the take out, about a mile by land.
My lesson from this is always, always take a class with trained professionals before trying any new experience such as this. Also, don't watch the movie Deliverance the night before leaving.
A POSTSCRIPT TO DEATH RIDE
The group Shiela Huber was with were not members of MCA or the Rapids Riders Chapter. She works with me, and I persuaded her to relate her experiences to HUT! in the hopes that an experience such as hers can be avoided. It is typical for outfitters to rent equipment to unqualified persons. They also do not require that helmets be rented or worn. Let us hope that no tragedies occur from this negligent practice. Verna Robinson.
