Although I am ex-military, I have not been in combat so I can’t even begin to imagine the feelings when one’s life hangs in the balance. I believe we are most alive when death is close. In my life, the feeling of most alive has been paddling, always above a big drop where the risk is the greatest. Time seems to move in slow motion. I would think most adrenalin sports provide the same feelings.
While infrequent, death can be the outcome. As you know, the Rocher-fendu rapids are a special place. They attract not only our local paddlers but kayakers from all over the world. One of those was Juanito de Ugarte from Peru. He spent his summers with us teaching kayaking and guiding rafts. He lived with my children, Joel and Katie, along the river and was an extension of our family. He loved life, he loved paddling and he died this week in Chile doing just that, paddling.
Unfortunately, Juanito was not the first nor will be the last. Death is part of life on the river. For that reason we created a memorial at Inspiration Point, just a ten minute walk from the end of Fletcher Road. The memorial lists the names of those who paddle no more. We will add Juanito’s name and celebrate his life at 2 pm on November 27th at 2 pm. More details will follow soon.
Joe
