> OK, I really hate to sound like your mother, but for a first outing, solo,
> for a maiden boat and virgin kayaker, these conditions were a recipe for
> disaster.

Actually, that story reads much worse than things actually were. This section of the Potomac was chosen for several reasons. One being that on my charts the water appears as only 1 meter deep. This was continually checked with my paddle and I only allowed myself to get deep enough that I didn't bang my paddle on the bottom when just normally paddling (if you can call my paddling normal). The Potomac, although several miles wide at this point, is only a meter deep for about 1/2 - 3/4 of a mile from the western shore (This is the Occoquan Bay). I never ventured out that far, about 250-300 yards at my farthest point. Choosing this section of the Potomac meant I could concentrate on "running" down and recovering my kayak rather than swimming if I went over.

I was also attired well enough that I could have probably stayed in the water for quite a while. I'm a strong swimmer but also extremely cognizant of how quickly hypothermia can set in and made sure I was dressed properly for the conditions under the boat as well as above it. I've spent quite a bit of time fishing from a canoe in the winter and I'm always prepared for a slip into the drink, accidental or intentional.

As a very large but shallow expanse of water, I thought this was actually a very nice place to get the feel for big water without actually having to be in much danger. I know people drown in their bath tub, so all risk is relative, but given all the above I think the risk was fairly small. Please correct me if my thinking is wrong on this matter.

Thanks for all the concerns for my well being. Next time I'll try and be more explicit.