Swift Water Rescue Incident Report
Wilson Creek, NC


Trip Report: Recirculation, Wilson Creek, NC
By Boater X

I deliberately took the wrong center line at the slide above 10' Falls (probably Little Woodall), thinking I'd give up some carnage. When I flipped, I hung out a while with no turbulence, thinking I was in left eddy, I rolled up parallel to the seam, a split second before getting window shaded.

I was already 'tucked', I hung out a long time, then tried reaching really deep with my C1 paddle, but felt no sensation or 'feel' of anything. I then attempted another roll with my bow perpendicular to seam in the worse (center) of the hole (vetigo=high volume bow + flat-tail).

I then learned my brain can think much quicker than I can think with it intending to turn the boat around and blast out of the hole using the flat tail, but "Wilson" was quicker and I got violently cart wheeled, so I hung out a long time thinking things over. Next I made a deliberate, but wrong decision to swim.

It had been more than a year and probably 100+ Wilson trips since I’d swam. As soon as I exited the boat it flushed. I was repeatedly recirculated, and nothing I tried worked!

Things which almost worked, I'd try again. I was considering ditching my front-zipper PFD because I couldn't dive deep enough to get away. I finally got far enough in the back wash to swim out.

I had no thoughts of death. I only remember wondering if there was enough air in aerated water to breathe! I'd been recirculated numerous times before, but always flushed after being recirculated a few times, never repeatedly! This was by far the worse swim I have ever seen/had.

Aside from avoiding slide's at high water in general, I’ve developed serious shoulder problems and I cannot depend on my roll.

I now take the far river right line avoiding that slide altogether! I recommend lifting the side of skirt, filling boat with water and hopefully you will flush.

My mind no longer recognizes a hole as a playground, but a place to get hurt and maybe never leave!