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Canyon Lake Deaths #10959054 07/06/15 01:53 PM
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Vincent Smithcent Offline OP
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Hey All,
I've been to Canyon several times and hung out on the bank, boat fished, and jet ski'd. It looks like we had another tragedy out there this weekend.
http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local/article/San-Antonio-Man-Drowns-at-Canyon-Lake-6367328.php

Can folks shed some light on how these drownings happen? Are there some currents I don't know about? People getting clothing caught on debris underwater? Seems like every year there are a handful of drownings. I wear a life jacket at all times when on the water so just don't truly understand how it happens.

Re: Canyon Lake Deaths [Re: Vincent Smithcent] #10959073 07/06/15 02:02 PM
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I have no idea on this particular case but I do know that many boating/lake accidents and drownings are alcohol related. I wonder if that was the case in this one? Truly sad in any case....

Re: Canyon Lake Deaths [Re: Vincent Smithcent] #10959130 07/06/15 02:25 PM
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It's a popular lake within just minutes of a a city with 1.4 million people.
Add the deep cold water, and possible alcohol factor, more often than not lifejackets aren't worn while boating and surely not while swimming.
With as many people that visit the lake it's sad, but it seems there are several deaths a year on the lake.
I don't have an answer other than people need to respect the lake and think safety first.


Just one more cast!

Re: Canyon Lake Deaths [Re: Vincent Smithcent] #10959371 07/06/15 04:06 PM
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Vincent Smithcent Offline OP
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Yea, I guess it just surprises me how it's possible and yet so sad. I wonder how many are NOT alcohol related? I've thought about buying a Kayak to use at places but it's stuff like that that freaks me out.

Re: Canyon Lake Deaths [Re: Vincent Smithcent] #10960090 07/06/15 09:30 PM
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Deep dropoffs that come out of no where's and people who can't swim.

Re: Canyon Lake Deaths [Re: Vincent Smithcent] #10960128 07/06/15 09:46 PM
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Over confidence in ones ability. Swimming is one act that having too much confidence can kill you. Sometimes alcohol increases confidence.

Re: Canyon Lake Deaths [Re: Vincent Smithcent] #10960159 07/06/15 09:57 PM
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blooper961 Offline
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The only reason in DFW we did not have our annual 4th of July lake drownings is,
people could not get on the lakes because they were closed due to flooding.
We have had a rash of swimming pool deaths however in the last 3 weeks.

Re: Canyon Lake Deaths [Re: Vincent Smithcent] #10960215 07/06/15 10:31 PM
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I also wonder if being a bottom draw dam makes a difference at Canyon? Maybe it has an undertow??

Re: Canyon Lake Deaths [Re: Vincent Smithcent] #10960264 07/06/15 11:00 PM
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Topwater2 Offline
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I think grout-scout hit it on the nose. Deep drop offs and not knowing how to swim will do it every time. It's like walking off a cliff blindfolded.


FishKen
Re: Canyon Lake Deaths [Re: Vincent Smithcent] #10960269 07/06/15 11:02 PM
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I would imagine that some divers who use the lake could answer that question.
I know there are a lot of areas around the lake that have deep drop offs just a short distance from shore. Being so deep I know that the water feels extremely cold even when it's 100* out, so maybe some hypothermia kicks in as well.
Who really knows though? I hate to say it, but you have that many people out on and in the lake, it's just a matter of the odds catching up with you.


Just one more cast!

Re: Canyon Lake Deaths [Re: Vincent Smithcent] #10960289 07/06/15 11:16 PM
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Originally Posted By: Vincent Smithcent
Yea, I guess it just surprises me how it's possible and yet so sad. I wonder how many are NOT alcohol related? I've thought about buying a Kayak to use at places but it's stuff like that that freaks me out.


Kayaking isn't for everyone, but it's a great sport and a safe one if you just use common sense. First of all always wear a quality PFD that fits properly.
learn how to self rescue in shallow water, and then in water over your head, and practice tipping over without any gear in the boat. This helps you learn just how far you can lean before you hit the tipping point. Learn to keep you upper body centered over the kayak. People get into trouble when they forget and lean over the side to far, or pull from the side instead of from the bow toward the stern. Example, getting a lure stuck on the bottom and pulling across your body and the line breaks.
In just a short while you learn what you can and can't get away with in a kayak.
One rule is if you don't want to lose your gear, have it leashed, or put floats on it.

Last edited by Jimbo; 07/06/15 11:26 PM.

Just one more cast!

Re: Canyon Lake Deaths [Re: Vincent Smithcent] #10961836 07/07/15 06:15 PM
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We had one tragedy on Lake Travis over the 4th. A 5 year old girl was killed. I don't think it was a drowning, but I talked to people and got three different stories. When I see one of the deputies I'll ask what happened. Regardless, of how it occurred, it's still a tragedy. Either people just don't know the effects of mixing a boat with sun and alcohol or the testosterone just takes over and they don't care. That's why I stay off of the lakes during a holiday weekend, this one in particular. This is the first 4th of July in four years when we have had a lake full of water and every idiot with a 6-pack and Daddy's boat was out there.


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Re: Canyon Lake Deaths [Re: Topwater2] #10961872 07/07/15 06:33 PM
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Originally Posted By: FishKen
I think grout-scout hit it on the nose. Deep drop offs and not knowing how to swim will do it every time. It's like walking off a cliff blindfolded.


this ^^^^. Sounds simple, but the majority of shoreline that I've been to on Canyon has drop offs. Some areas look like a smooth and gradual drop from shore, but suddenly the rock will stair step down. Add alcohol and it can get bad quick.

I don't know if it's still there, but there but there used to be a hazard sign warning of drownings and they kept a running number of drownings posted. Seems like it was in the 90s about 20 years ago.


Re: Canyon Lake Deaths [Re: driedmeat] #10961921 07/07/15 06:59 PM
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Originally Posted By: driedmeat
Originally Posted By: FishKen
I think grout-scout hit it on the nose. Deep drop offs and not knowing how to swim will do it every time. It's like walking off a cliff blindfolded.



I don't know if it's still there, but there but there used to be a hazard sign warning of drownings and they kept a running number of drownings posted. Seems like it was in the 90s about 20 years ago.



I was wondering the same thing about that sign when this thread started. I wish they had more of those signs around the lake, it makes you think about it when you read it.

Re: Canyon Lake Deaths [Re: grout-scout] #10963065 07/08/15 12:04 PM
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Originally Posted By: grout-scout

I was wondering the same thing about that sign when this thread started. I wish they had more of those signs around the lake, it makes you think about it when you read it.


I believe it was at Comal Park which has always been a hotspot for drownings. There are massive ledges just a few yards from shore, and also the island off the tip of the park that looks close but has a gorge with current that runs between the island and the main land. People think they can swim to it easily enough but then get into trouble.

No way in these days and times they put up a sign that scares people away from the lake! Too many businesses probably complained, or either someone got offended by them.
I remember them as well, but someone took them down and the only reason I can think of is what I posted above.

Last edited by Jimbo; 07/08/15 12:10 PM.

Just one more cast!

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