Practice water safety

Our hearts go out to the family and friends of the kayaker who recently drowned near Ferson Creek. Let’s not let his death be in vain. Paddlers and people with motorized craft can share our rivers safely, but everyone has some responsibilities to make that happen.

• Everyone must wear a PFD [life jacket] at all times. No exceptions.

• People paddling and boating at night need to have lights. Headlamps aimed up won’t disturb fish but will keep paddlers visible. Reflective strips help, too.

• Boaters need to understand that their wakes really impact paddlecraft, so they need to slow down near paddlecraft and give as wide a berth as possible.

• Paddlers should try to stay more to the side and leave the river’s center to boats so they can give a wide berth, even if water is shallow.

We have been paddling on the Fox for decades, and Ferson Creek is one of our favorite put-ins. Most boaters are careful and thoughtful around kayaks and canoes. Many years ago, however, a jet skier did doughnuts around our very tippy racing canoe and swamped us. He thought it was funny. We didn’t.

Let’s all share the river and keep each other safe.

Ellen and Don Ljung

Geneva