Returning Back to (Paddling) Life
I was on water only a few times during fall months due to problems with my wrist: DeQuervain’s syndrome also known as washerwoman’s sprain or mother’s wrist – inflammation of the sheath that surrounds two tendons that control movement of the thumb. It didn’t bother me too much when paddling, but I was trying to cure it by resting and physical therapy. Finally, I ended up with a wrist surgery just before Christmas.
Three weeks later my wrist is not fully operational yet, but I can do almost anything with some movement restrictions. So, yesterday, I started my 2009 paddling season with an easy afternoon workout on the South Platte River near Greeley. I took Thunderbolt kayak from Mitani-Tokuyasu SWA 2.5 miles upstream to the Plumb Ditch Dam, spent some time photographing there (Canon EOS 40d + tripod + programmable self timer) and returned downriver just after sunset.
It feels good to be back to paddling!
The picture of the Plumb Ditch Dam goes to my stock portfolio and is available for sale from Featurepics.
South Platte River below Denver – GPS/photo river guide
Paddling with Icicles – Thunderbolt-X on the South Platte River below Greeley
Old Truck, Young Eagle and the South Platte River Mysteries
Paddling Thunderbolt Kayak in Tight Places – Lone Tree Creek
3 Winter Paddling Hours on the South Platte River
On the Icy South Platte River with Pentax Optio W10 Camera and Thunderbolt Kayak
Have faith – there is life after surgery for DeQuervain’s!! I had chronic tenosynovitis about 10 years ago – my wrist used to squeak while paddling – had surgery and after advised rest time it was back to paddling – fantastic – never had a problem since. Did a tough 2,500km paddling trip last year – no problem….well, not with the wrist anyway.
Cheers
David Winkworth
Great shots looks like the Platte is similar to the Rio Grande around Albuquerque. Our doable flow rates in winter are at about 850 CFS what is it on the Platte?
Typical winter flow in the South Platte near Greeley is around 600 cfs as in my pictures in this post. It is possible to paddle with much lower flow (300cfs or lower?), but it would be tough on paddle to go upstream.
Further downstream in eastern Colorado there is less and less water left in the river due to diversions; see Paddling on Wet Sand post.
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