Kayak paddler missing on Potomac upstream from Great Falls

[SteveL]

http://www.fairfaxtimes.com/news/2009/may/14/missing/
Missing Kayaker (http://www.monocacyboard.org/mboard/missing.html)

I am posting this fyi, its a very sad thing.

Be safe on the water, especially on flowing rivers when they are at higher levels after rain events.

[Friday]

Fairfax Times (http://www.fairfaxtimes.com/news/2009/may/14/missing/)
Missing Kayaker (http://www.monocacyboard.org/mboard/missing.html)

I am posting this fyi, its a very sad thing.

Be safe on the water, especially on flowing rivers when they are at higher levels after rain events.

I know the area very well. I used to paddle on a cheap inflatable often at Algonkian Regional Park 15-20 years ago. Tragic accidents happened few time in the area. Indeed, the current can be very fast after rain. For every 4-5 strokes, I gained only 1 stroke against unusual fast current. Though the area is not wide (easy to swim toward the shore) and also very shallow about a mile from the ramp. But the current can be very fast at the shallow area. The shallow area is more like rapids. I think a kayaker needs to be a very good swimmer to survive in this area, to catch the fleeing kayak or to reach the shore when a kayak is not reachable, before reaching the shallow area. The shallow area (rapids) is too dangerous after heavy rain.
There is an island in the middle of the river. The soil of some part of the shoreline of the island is very soft mud - that is small mud quicksand. I was frightened when sinking happened first time. After that, we always checked the firmness of the beach before get off the inflatable.

This is the area where a kayaker must pre-plan self-rescue scenarios before the launch after heavy rain.

.

[HJS]

On Friday I saw a couple of "Missing Persons" fliers posted just upriver from Chain Bridge. He went missing May 10 back when flow was nearly 7 feet and totally muddy, vis maybe an inch at best. Bad time to be kayaking the Potomac if you're not very experienced and highly skilled.

[AIK68J]

The Fairfax times listed in the article
Police say Hughes has been distraught over personal matters and is believed to have entered the river at some point.
Not sure if was an accident. my God protect his family thru ths difficult time.

[jbeckl]

My friend and me were out on his boat that day he went missing. We fished 3-4 hours in high muddy water and when we came back to the ramp there were police, search and rescue boats, etc everywhere. There was a very distraught guy pacing the ramp when we approached. He asked if we had seen a green kayak but we hadn't. A Loudoun police officer talked to me briefly as we were loading the boat. Unfortunately, didn't have any helpful info to pass along as we didn't see anyone at all. They told us to hurry and get out of there as they were closing the ramp. Went again on Wednesday and a man and woman asked if we had seen any signs of the kayak, again no. Very sad story.

[The Old Man]

Male body recovered near Fletcher's yesterday, identity still to be determined....:((

[surfnsam]

very sad thing. must be safe on the water, besides your safty gear must have a paddle leash and if you do turtle hold on to the paddle to keep the yak at hand.