Kayaking in a flash flood?

Question

I live in the Texas hill country and we are in a severe flash flood right now. I have kayaked white-water and am very experienced but do not know how safe this is. I was just wondering from anyone who might know if this is something that people do, kayak flash flood conditions i mean. The only thing realy is the debree that seems dangerous. Anyone know if people do this or not? If there is like clubs that go out chasing floods to kayak down swolen streams and rivers? Sounds fun to me!

thanks

Answer 1

the debris is a major concern but these kinds of flow changes can and will create new rapids or features in the river that you won't know about or expect. this as you know could be a real problem, in my experience it is unnerving to be in the water with large logs running the rapids with me, big water is a whole different  beast, some stuff will wash out while other stuff will turn into a drowning machine, I developed a healthy respect for high water the hard way, I almost drowned. you obviously have boated some, that much I can tell, use your head here some stuff is obviously boatable even at flood stage but some stuff is just idiotic, use your head.

as my dad used to say "don't become a statistic"

Answer 2

There were clubs. They don't survive very long. I'm sure it was a rush like nothin' else.

Make sure that you have a will before you go out and die.

It can get pretty nasty when family members start to fight over your possessions.

Answer 3

I'm not a great kayaker, but this sounds like trouble to me. If you're a really experienced kayaker looking for something challenging, then kayak some Class IV or V rapids rather than try do so something unpredictable like a flash flood. I know Texas has some great rivers to kayak, plenty to do without risking your life.

Answer 4

Even experienced kayakers can get killed in flash flood conditions. High water is very different from flash floods-kayak groups do not follow flash floods-instead, they often are called upon to help people who thought they could handle a flash flood and get stuck in a strainer. Most of the deaths in this area are people who jump in a canoe or kayak in flood conditions and drown and/or die of hypothermia. I've been involved with a local canoe/kayak group, and use to teach canoeing and kayaking at our local parks and recreation department as well. I heard a lot of horror stories at the swiftwater rescue training events...