: Hello Everyone,
: Pardon all the background, my question is roughly this. How sever are class I
: and class II rapids. Will we alway have to portage this boat around them?
: We live between Nashville and Knoxville and while there are lakes we can
: use the kayak on, this area of tennessee has some marvelous rivers Like
: the Big South Fork with camping opportunities. I don't understand if these
: seakayaks can even make the bends where there aren't rapids. Any
: information would be greatly appreciated, including alternatives.

: If you read this far, I already owe you for your time.
: Thanks,
: John

The best thing you can do is to get whitewater training before you even THINK about going on even a quick water river. It is not safe to run even a mild whitewater river without a group of experienced people.

At the very least, get a book on whitewater paddling techniques. Study and try out strokes on very mild rivers before you commit to a long trip.

Start the habit now to ALWAYS wear a PDF (personal flotation device, Lifejacket).You have to set the example for your son.

I'd look to see if there is a local WW group. They often have low cost training and will run trips with a group of experienced people for support.

You are in the most dangerous position being a novice going on a fast moving river. It may be wide and look harmless. You may even do okay. You or your son could also die.

I did a trip in northern Michigan early 70's on the Pine River with some high school friends. The Pine is a narrow river with many bends and lots of logs on the outside of those bends, No rapids just a 1-2 MPH current.

I didn't have any whitewater experience at the time, but I quickly realized I was the most experienced paddler there when my friends looked at the map and said, "let's go from here to there". What was a two mile drive on the road looked like a ten mile paddle on the winding river to me. I said, "lets do half that".

We paddled. My friend Dave and his wife came to a sharp turn in the river. They couldn't make their boat go around the turn. They were headed into the logs on the outside of the river bend. Dave saw a snag sticking up out of the water and grabbed onto it to stop them. BAD MOVE! Dave stopped and the canoe kept going dumping them. Dave got washed under the logs. He was down there for about a minute, but finally got out. He had a life jacket on, thankfully. Later we found out from his now hysterical wife he couldn't swim. He was VERY VERY lucky he didn't drown.

Moving water is so powerful. DO NOT take it lightly.

I paddled whitewater for 15 years and taught WW classes for the Appalachian Mountain Club.

The whitewater training could mean a lot more to your son's future than just safe paddling. Young teens and young men will look for thrills. And whitewater can provide an endless supply. I've seen a lot of friends kids grow up WW paddling with a healthy outlet for all that testosterone.

Please be careful.

All the best,
Rob