www.nola.com/news/article_e3de9fe4-d7f9-...9e-3b48cb43aec7.html
The news article is pretty light on details, but sounds like he tipped over, could not remount, was not wearing a PFD, and went under water for some reason.
He was paddling a V9 performance (per the pic of the recovered boat) so not like he was in an elite boat or in cold water (the lake is a toasty 86*F right now). Possibly an overly ambitions beginner? The article says he was even close to shore. Considering how close it sounds like he was, I wonder if he had a medical emergency or something...
Let this be a reminder to everyone! Practice remounts in the worst conditions you paddle in. Wear a PFD even if you dont 'need to'. If you're not a great swimmer, wear one 110% of the time (and wear one anyways even if you are!). Like the Gorge safety meeting says, if you cant remount, dont go out!
Wearing a PFD is an easy insurance policy against bad decisions or bad luck, which we are all prone to sooner or later.
