Here is a little ditty about Jack and Diane. Two little kids growing up in the heartland.

Ok, now that I have your attention and maybe a song stuck in your head, I have a little PSA for you.

Two weeks ago I was on a day paddle trip with a group, and after like 25 years, I finally used a piece of equipment that I haul around with me. A rescue throw bag. I am not a "whitewater" paddler so I don't think I have ever seen another paddler carrying one on any of my excursions. I have done paddling up to class IV but most of my paddling is on lakes and local rivers with up to maybe class II.

A person I was with got turned on the river and the boat pinned against a rock and filled with water. They had no luck getting the boat off on their own with 250+ pound of water in the boat and the river pushing against it. I was able to paddle back up to them and throw the bag to them to tie on. I was able to get on shore and between the two of us we were able to get the boat unpinned. Not saying this was a perfect "rescue", but no one was put at additional risk in the water and we were able to get the boat and the paddler back to a safe situation thanks to that bag I have been hauling around for 25+ years.

So this is just an FYI for fellow people who like the outdoors to think about their equipment. I always bring a spare paddle regardless if I am canoeing or kayaking. These bags can also be used for ATV, snowmobiling, hiking, etc.
Stay safe out there and enjoy God's creation.

Now that you mention it, it would probably be a solution to maneuvering next to another boat in the wind. We occasionally need to get our kayak next to the other to transfer bait. It can be difficult if the wind and waves are pushing in the wrong direction to paddle and try to grab the other boat.

Whenever we will be on an area in the BWCA with current, we carry an old throw bag from our whitewater days. We have used it once when another group decided to run one of the rapids on the Kawishiwi River and got pinned. We happened to be portaging around the rapids when they got stuck and helped them free the boat and collected their gear.

The sad part about that story is the group leader was the only one with any BWCA experience. Everyone else was a first timer. The leader was the one that told them running the rapids would be easy. The 2 women who pinned were very freaked out by the experience. We calmed them down and advised them that portages are there for a reason and suggested they be very cautious about the advise of their leader. Say no if ever uncomfortable. Fortunately no one was hurt badly, just bumps and bruises, but I worried that their 1st trip might have been their last.

We usually always carry one. And in Canada you are required to have one.

What a story! Thank you.

Looks like my floating line from Atlantic Rigging (shipment delayed now over a month) will just barely make it in time for my upcoming trip. I’m grateful to folks here for focusing me on this useful addition to my equipment this season.

I bring two throw bags. One is attached to my waist and has a quick release. The other is the pouch type we keep in the canoe. You can throw a throw bag just like a football.

Great point to bring this up so folks can think about it.
We don't run rapids in the wilderness. Better to carry.
I don't carry a throw bag but I do always have a rope attached to the front of the boat. My first aid kit is in a fanny pack. All of the supplies are in ziploc bags so if I need a throw bag I quickly dump the contents. stick the dry box that I keep my camera inside (I take that out too) so that it floats, clip to the rope and throw that.
I have only needed it once in 40 years and that was when I stupidly shoved off in my solo in a wind and left my paddle on shore. I was able to throw it around a tree.

Catrina