Aussie Kayaker breaks own leg to free himself

Why I don't paddle rivers...!

www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_i...0915152155564C638409

Sydney - An Australian kayaker gritted his teeth and snapped his own leg to avoid drowning when his upturned craft became lodged under a tree, news reports said on Monday.

The 38-year-old was paddling with friends on Victoria's remote West Kiewa River on Sunday when the accident happened.

"If he didn't break his leg to free himself, he was going to drown,"
paramedic Anthony de Wit told Australia's AAP news agency.

"The river flow was so great, he was trapped under the tree and broke his leg to free himself and avoid drowning." - Sapa-dpa

I wonder if the Aussie kayaker was paddling a white water boat or a K1?

I enjoy the contrast between the river paddling and surfski, and look forward to the start of the season while the other is winding up. I'm sure paddling both is good for your paddling even if only because you are paddling more often and can keep going all year round. In South Africa, at least on the coast this seems to be the norm, with most top paddlers doing both. For example Hank McGregor and Dawid Mocke are now the reigning South African K2 (river) champions as well as Double Surfski champions. Does this happen elsewhere too?

I know a number of paddlers who feel safer close to land than out at sea, but it is generally the land that is the dangerous bit with the snags, blocks and suck-backs. I have heard some river horror-stories, of people getting sucked under causeways, snagged on rocks and pulled into tree blocks. But it is awesome to paddle down a fast flowing river.