Safety is something that every student at New River Academy is familiar with.  We have had
safety courses in the past and will have more in the future.  Yesterday, just for a refresher,
we all went down to the New River to practice our rescue skills and to discuss hazards on the
river.  We started with swiming practice.  Those who manned up and took the cold water swam down to flea flicker, a small rapid and play wave underneath the the New River Bridge.

 (c) Matthew West

Shane leads the discussion on the banks ao the New River. 

  After that we had a discussion on hazards on the river such as strainers, sivs, and pin spots.
Once we discussed these we moved on to throw rope technique.  After Shane Groves shared some quick pointers we moved on to saving each other with the throw ropes.

(c) Matthew West

Kier pulls in Michelle with kyle as his anchor.

  Some people may get the idea that these skills we are practicing are just for school,
but we carry these skills on whatever river we paddle.  I can remember two instances I helped
in rescues this past summer on the South St.Vrain River. 

(c) Matthew West

The swimmers boat continued to get worked in the hole after he got to shore.

  One instance was during the South St.Vrain race.  I was taking pictures on the side of the river when one of the competitors got stuck in a hole and ended up swimming.  I was down stream and helped direct the rest of the competitors away from the swimmer.  I also had my throw rope ready in case the swimmer couldn't get to the shore and had to swim the next rapid.

(c) Matthew West

The swimmer had to be pulled across the river to the road.  He came out unharmed.

  The next instance was just one day later when somone in our group swam further up stream.  After he was safe (the person always comes first), we chased his boat down stream.  The boat got pinned and we had to pull it out.  In both these instances I remebered everything I had been taught at New River Academy and in prior courses.