Northern Ireland Outdoors Forum - Hiking, camping and more
Outdoor Activities => Northern Ireland Canoeing and Watersports => Topic started by: b0ogaloo on December 13, 2009
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'A man has died following a canoeing accident in County Londonderry on Sunday.
At about 1400 GMT emergency services were alerted that a canoeist had been seen in difficulty at Carnroe Lock on the Lower Bann, near Kilrea.
A short time later, the body of a man, believed to be in his late 40s, was recovered from the water.
Police have said they do not believe there were any suspicious circumstances surrounding the man's death.
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http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/8410914.stm
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Stephen Chapman was always cheerful and enthusiastic and delighted to be out on the water - usually with his son Duncan. We will miss him.
Canoeing traps to avoid -
Deep weirs in high water conditions ( "holes" occur just below the weir where you get sucked down and held down, or "hydraulics" occur where air is entrained into the water making it lighter - it may not even float a boat or a swimmer. A "stopper" wave forms which drags you back upstream and into the "hole" or "hydraulic")
Trees or gratings in the water ("Strainers" - you can get dragged down underneath the branches)
Undercut rocks (the current can suck you down underneath the overhang)
Boots stuck under the seat in an open canoe (if you capsize and get stuck against a rock, you may get held underwater)
Our sympathy is with Lesley, Orla and Duncan.
Sincerely,
Frank
in Portstewart
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Im taking by your comments that this man was an experienced canoeist, it just shows how dangerous water can be. I have a colleague at work who keeps on about canoeing the Bann, he has little experience and myself and the rest of the guys have practically none. He would say its a piece of piss, i however totally disagree and as this tragic event has shown water is never a piece of piss. My thoughts go out to Mr Chapman and his family on this holiday period such a tragic loss.
Paul M.
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Dear Paul,
Most of the Bann is very safe. The weirs are very steep however, so when there is a lot of water going down as at present (or if you don't have an experienced backup team with you), it's best to portage. When the water level is high you need to watch for strainers from overhanging trees too.
Happy canoeing,
Frank
in Portstewart
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Always remember the golden rule of paddling, never go on the water with less than three people.
If one gets hurt or gets into serious difficulty then one stays with the casualty while the third paddler goes for help.