First paddle, first outdoor swim of the season

[jdeerfoot]

Went out for my first paddle on the local river this morning which was enjoyable until I went for my first outdoor swim of the season. Got a phone call and while digging out my phone drifted into a small strainer and the rest is sodden history. My stupid mistakes were: no spare paddle (mine drifted away); leaving my Cochlear implants on so both got wet (in the dryer now REALLY hoping they survived because I don’t want to have to replace these $23,000/each devices); and finally, going for an early spring paddle with water/air temps about 40 degrees.

At least I learned that a 9-10 foot 3 inch diameter branch worked surprisingly well as a kayak paddle. Sorry, no photos my phone got wet.

 

[Packrat]

I once paddled my canoe with a duck decoy when my paddle got blown overboard. Hard to top your "bad day exerience" and I wish you a quick and inexpensive recovery from this memorable day!

 

[tketcham]

Appreciate your confession and glad it turned out MUCH better than it could have otherwise. Chock it up to spring fever, but It's a good reminder that complacency can kill us this time of year.

 

[jdeerfoot]

Appreciate your confession and glad it turned out MUCH better than it could have otherwise. Chalk it up to spring fever, but It's a good reminder that complacency can kill us this time of year.

Yes, complacency nailed me. I have tried to get out as soon as ice out each year for many years without any problems. At Ieast I was wearing wool under my paddling jacket so my 4-5 minutes in the water weren’t too brutal. And I did not respect the stronger than usual current after 1.3 inches of rain a day earlier.

 

[Erica]

I didn’t take my hearing aids on my last canoe trip. They don’t cost as much as your cochlear implants, nut at $6000, I didn’t want to lose them.

 

[dutchlennart]

Thanks for the write up. Hope you keep the spirit is this good way. And I hope the inplant recover.
Next year I think your first paddle more enjoyable.

 

[eckilson]

REALLY hoping they survived because I don’t want to have to replace these $23,000/each devices)

Sorry about the implants - hopefully they will dry out.

I got out yesterday as well with a group of open boaters on the class II section of the Assabet River in Maynard MA.

Assabet - Maynard - March 12, 2026

Explore this photo album by Erik Eckilson on Flickr!

www.flickr.com

Three whitewater boats, one solo tripper, one tandem tripper/poler. No swims for us.

Everything is starting to open up here in southern New England with the snow melt and recent rain. May take a little longer up north, but it is coming.

 

[NikonF5user]

Sorry about the implants - hopefully they will dry out.

I got out yesterday as well with a group of open boaters on the class II section of the Assabet River in Maynard MA.

Assabet - Maynard - March 12, 2026

Explore this photo album by Erik Eckilson on Flickr!

www.flickr.com

Three whitewater boats, one solo tripper, one tandem tripper/poler. No swims for us.

Everything is starting to open up here in southern New England with the snow melt and recent rain. May take a little longer up north, but it is coming.

I absolutely love to see an OT Camper being used like that - shows just how amazing of a design that boat really is - makes me think of this captivating YouTube channel (that sadly has not had a new video in a while): https://youtube.com/@canoeing?si=f0uBUX7v8enud0MF