Recent 911 calls for water rescue on Twin Creek in Germantown have brought the issue of water safety to the forefront.

On June 6, a call went out for people in the water near Astoria Road who had been kayaking and floating. One required resuscitation on the scene. In late May, two kayakers were rescued from Twin Creek after flipping their boats; fortunately, both were wearing life jackets.

Expert Advice

Kile Genslinger, owner of TC River Adventures, Twin Creek Kayak & Canoe and Tippecanoe & Kayaks Too has advice for those who are new to kayaking, or just want to enjoy an afternoon on the creek this summer.

“We’ve seen more and more people buying kayaks over the last several years, but many of them have little experience on moving water. People think kayaking is like taking a bike ride. The reality is that rivers and creeks can change overnight. A creek that was calm yesterday can become dangerous after a heavy rain, and many new paddlers don’t realize the hazards that can be hidden just below the surface.”

“The recent rescue calls are a good reminder that owning a kayak doesn’t automatically make someone a river paddler. A little preparation, the right equipment, education, and a healthy respect for moving water go a long way.”

Gear up for Safety

Advice from Kile Genslinger, owner of Twin Creek Kayak & Canoe:

The biggest piece of advice I can give is to respect the water. Always wear a properly fitted life jacket. I also recommend attaching a whistle to your life jacket. If you get into trouble, a whistle can get someone’s attention much better than yelling. I also recommend keeping your phone in a waterproof case or small dry bag attached to your life jacket so it’s with you if you become separated from your kayak. The same goes for any emergency items you may need. Dry bags are also great for protecting keys, medications, and an extra set of clothes.

Understand the Water and its Hazards

One thing many people don’t understand is how we measure river flow. Water flow is commonly measured in cubic feet per second (CFS). One cubic foot of water equals about 7.5 gallons, so a river flowing at 1,000 CFS is moving roughly 7,500 gallons of water every second. That’s an incredible amount of moving water. In narrower sections of the creek, that same volume of water is forced through a smaller opening, increasing the speed and strength of the current.

A hazard many new paddlers have never heard of is a “strainer.” A strainer is usually a fallen tree, log jam, or large pile of branches in the water. The dangerous part is that much of the tree can be underwater where you can’t see it. The water flows through the branches, but people and kayaks often cannot. The current can pin a paddler or kayak against the tree and even pull them into the submerged limbs. If you see a strainer ahead, don’t try to paddle through it. Get to shore early and carry your kayak around it.

One simple tip is to watch the shape of the water. If you see a V, the water is splitting around an object such as a rock, log, or other obstruction. You’ll often notice small whitecaps where the water breaks around it. That’s usually something you want to avoid.

If you see an Λ (an upside-down V), that’s the water coming together. I like to call it an arrow because it’s pointing you toward the deeper channel and is generally the route you want to kayak through. Learning to recognize the difference between a V and an Λ can help paddlers identify hazards and safely navigate the river.

It also doesn’t take deep water to create a dangerous situation. Bridge pilings, low-head dams, undercut banks, submerged rocks, debris, and swift current can all create hazards. Many accidents happen because people underestimate moving water or overestimate their abilities.

Kayak Tips

Another important safety tip is to always keep your kayak pointed straight downstream. If you’re in fast-moving water and the current is trying to push you toward a log jam, strainer, or other hazard, paddle hard and move away from the danger as early as possible. Don’t wait until you’re right on top of it.

One mistake inexperienced paddlers make is trying to reach out and grab a tree branch, log, or anything along the bank to stop themselves. Never do that. When you grab a stationary object, you’ve stopped your body, but the current is still pushing your kayak. The force of the water can quickly swing the kayak around and flip it, putting you into the water. It’s much safer to keep paddling and maintain control of your boat.

Learn from Experienced Leaders

At Twin Creek Kayak & Canoe Livery, safety comes first. We monitor creek conditions every day and close when water levels exceed our safety guidelines. Sometimes people are disappointed, but I’d rather lose a day’s business than have someone get hurt on the water. We provide a safety briefing before every trip because we want people to have a great experience and make it home safely.

People can always check our Facebook page for creek updates and conditions. Twin Creek is classified as a creek/stream, and conditions can change quickly depending on rainfall. Anyone with questions about water levels or whether it’s a good day to paddle can also call us at (937) 361-2896.

One thing many people don’t realize is that Twin Creek has a relatively short kayaking season. Because it’s primarily a spring-fed creek, it relies heavily on rainfall to maintain adequate water levels. As summer progresses and rainfall decreases, the creek typically becomes too shallow for kayaking, and we usually wrap up our season around the end of June.

Stay Safe to Have Fun

The creek can provide a lifetime of enjoyment, but it deserves our respect. Learn the conditions, wear your safety gear, paddle within your abilities, and when in doubt, don’t go out. If you’re out on the water and come to an area you’re not comfortable with or aren’t sure about, don’t take the risk. Get out of your kayak and walk around the obstacle. There’s no shame in portaging—better to stay safe than end up in a dangerous situation.

And if you’re new to kayaking, don’t be afraid to ask questions. Most experienced paddlers are more than happy to help someone learn to enjoy the water safely.

There’s also a lot of free education available online. I encourage new paddlers to watch videos on how to read the river. Learning to read the water can make kayaking much safer and more enjoyable.

Safety tips from Twin Creek Kayak & Canoe:

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