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23
May 2021
Ripley canoeing instructor says fatal accidents are rare
A canoeing instructor working in Ripley has said deaths while canoeing, like the one in the Harrogate district on Friday, are rare.
North Yorkshire Police reported a man had died in the River Ure, near West Tanfield, after falling out of a canoe.
Dan Miller has 15 years' experience as a paddler and works as a canoeing instructor in Ripley. He said he thought fatal accidents were uncommon, especially among experienced canoeists.
Mr Miller is one of the directors at Live For Today, based at Ripley Castle, which offers canoeing trips on the castle's lake. He said safety is a top priority for all paddlers and these were the main things to consider:
Weather
Mr Miller said the weather on the day and the previous days can impact the water levels so it is best to check them, via the Environment Agency's website, first.
Previous days of heavy rainfall can sweep flood debris down the river causing an obstruction or covering the banks making the conditions more difficult to navigate.
How well you know the area
Mr Miller said, despite his experience, he would not paddle anywhere that he did not already know. He added it is best to have background knowledge of the map of the river and be aware of where the banks are.
Experience
He advised anyone with limited canoeing experience to check they feel comfortable before entering any waterway. Going with other people is also a good idea.
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Mr Miller said:
Mr Miller urged people to attend a workshop with a club or water activity company before going out on the water.
Data from the Water Incident Database show that there were 254 deaths in UK waters from accidental drownings in 2020 across inland and coastal locations.
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