ROANOKE TIMES 

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: MONDAY, April 15, 1991                   TAG: 9104180027
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-8   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

PHOTO DEPICTED UNSAFE BOATING

YOUR "ROLLING on the river" photograph April 9 should have been entitled "What's wrong with this picture?" Experienced canoeists know that dams are among the most dangerous obstructions encountered in white water and are to be treated with the utmost respect. (Rescue workers were searching recently for a body below Williams Dam on the James in Richmond.)

The strong backwash evident in the upper left corner of the picture is a perfect example. The youthful floater was probably unaware of the danger, as will be many of the young people who are inspired to imitation by your "rites of spring" presentation of this picture.

At least the following things are wrong: (1) The caption suggests that Mr. Ellis is traveling alone, a violation of one of the cardinal rules of white-water safety; (2) he is using a toy inflatable entirely unsuited for white water; (3) he is wearing no protection against the deceptively cold water, and would have had a short survival time had he been trapped in the backwash; and (4) he is not wearing a personal flotation device (commonly known as a life jacket).

It would be helpful to your readers if you were more attentive to good safety practices. EUGENE E. DERRYBERRY ROANOKE 


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