by Tom Watson
Each type of water whether expansive oceans and lakes or meandering streams and rivers have their own unique hazards that challenge the paddler. Some are natural such as currents, rip tides, and rocks, while other hazards are man-made such as dams, weirs, and spillways. These can cause the flowing waters to act in ways that can be very dangerous to paddlers of all skill levels. Read on for an explanation of the different river hazards, basic prevention tips, and recovery techniques.