Page 97 - "Mississippi in the 1st Person" - Michael James Stone (Demo/Free)

It was told to me in no uncertain terms that I could not tow a kayak down the Mississippi River
by a Facebook Support Group page. On top of that I was warned if I tried I might pop my kay-

ak.

OBVIOUSLY THESE WERE NOT INFLATABLE KAYAK PEOPLE

Towing a kayak is rather easy. A canoe not so much. That is probably why so many canoeist
don’t understand kayakers. We “can do” so much more….

In my current set up I had a 10 foot yellow stretch nylon Car tow rope I used. When I paddled

it would often stretch and snap back with emphasis. Knowing this I used it often to my ad-
vantage.

The key to the tow was to “get the nose” around the obstacle and the rest would follow. Most

of the time that would work. Zigging to make the tow kayak zag was another means to direct.
“floating” “tight rope” “bouncing” “rushing” and even back spin were all techniques to get the
tow kayak to perform water ballet with a tether.

The Rock Garden I had run into turned out to be a piece of cake and I was so proud of the kay-

aks and practice times I had take on Utah Lake.

Seemed like the Miss wanted to keep me on my toes as I came upon another “bend in the river:
and so I always seemed to be “goin up around the bend” as the song sang.