Canoe Wrecks & Rescues: Four Capsize Recoveries on the Madawaska River

The consequences of capsizing, with an assortment of rescue techniques, during high water conditions on the Madawaska River.
Chalet Rapids with a self-rescue (swim across the eddy line): 00:17
Open water capture and tow in Gravel Pit: 02:25
Tow assist in the Split Rock Rapids with canoe-over-canoe: 04:39
Swimming the entire length of Raquette Rapids and re-boarding: 07:18

[@canoeman1961]

I completed a couple of whitewater courses with George Drought in the late 1980s through the Barrie Canoe Club. First course was on the Madawaska starting with the first weekend at Palmer Rapids, and the next weekend further down the Madawaska. The second course was on the Petawawa River, with the final test including sections such as Rollaway Rapids at the highest water level George had ever seen for that river. No gimmies on that test. Only 74 years young. Too young for an outdoors person to expire. Miss you George.

[@wildernesscanoeassociation]

George was pretty popular.

[@jasonintheforest7936]

Looks wild.

[@wildernesscanoeassociation]

Yes, swimming is pretty stressful.

[@LostLakes]

Great to watch this and learn!

[@wildernesscanoeassociation]

That's what we were doing; learning.

[@TS-xj5mt]

Excellent video. Lots to learn. Thanks

[@wildernesscanoeassociation]

Glad it was helpful!

[@TheTrippingAuthority]

Love the Madawaska! Great Vid

[@wildernesscanoeassociation]

The best!

[@l3ulldozer]

You should try riding in the boat through a couple of those rapids next time, might not be as exciting as swimming, but at least you might not drink so much of the river!

[@wildernesscanoeassociation]

Sure thing. Failure is a part of learning too.

[@Hewillreturn]

Poor Bob!

[@wildernesscanoeassociation]

Everyone made it home safe and sound.