Page 14 - Louisiana Loop (manuscript Edition)

A last ditch attempt to grab a square and push off it
failed. Broadside the kayak was pulled under the
boiling mass of undertow and current. The slope of the
barge flipped the kayak over sideways spilling me
outwards and down into the cold with paddle in one
hand and other hand reaching out instinctively
grabbing my tube lines I had along the length of the
side tube of the kayak for just this reason.
Breaking water my mind first thought was to pull on
the kayak seeing it wedged and was so close to the
edge the nose almost sticking past. But the current was
pushing on the kayak forcing it deeper in the V.
It’s amazing how fast your mind works for
solutions and makes split second decisions. I could see gear already floating out away down the side of the
barge and everything happening so fast I knew also instantly as I had thought to pull it I had to leave the
kayak and grab the inflatable kayak chair I saw beginning to float away. With paddle in hand I swam to it out
around the front of the barge as I lay on it. Supporting me slightly below the water with wind it was frigid.
The current had me, the cold had not hit me yet, shock was over but I knew I was in serious danger as I started
side paddling and trying to fit a hand hold or obstruction on the sides of the barges to snag my paddle or me to
safety……….there was nothing as the first set of barges passed by.