Kayakier Drowned

[Rigormortis]

A kayakier drowned in the Tallapoosa River near Tallassee, AL. late Friday afternoon (5-8-09) the body has not been recovered as of today.  Prayers are with his family.

Rigormortis

[highlife]

I read that he possibly wasn't wearing a life jacket. The damn was releasing the time they were running the river and with all this added rainfall...bad combo.
Sad this has to happen right before mothers day.
Be careful people...and wear a PFD...

[Rigormortis]

Divers recovered body of drowned kayaker today.  He was 22 years old.  Two of his friends were rescued from the river late Friday afternoon. 

[dogwood]

A drowning is always sad news.  We kayaked/canoed the Tallapoosa from near the GA line to Hwy 46 a few weeks ago, and the river was pretty high, but not too high to run.  In fact, it had more water flow than normal, making for a fun ride.  With that said, going on a river with current (or even flatwater!) without a lifejacket, can result in tragedy.

[grayw0lf]

This tragedy happened in a stretch of river that is always a rough ride.  Many people have drown here over the years & many more have been lucky.

This occured in the 1.5mile stretch below Thurlow dam in Tallassee, AL.  Please be advised to avoid this section all together unless you are an experienced whitewater paddler with a guide.  There are several very nasty pourovers & a big nasty sieve right in the middle of the falls, right where a swimmer is likely to be.

Please be careful.