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Photos from Previous SRCs Walter surfing his boat. Hoyt doing a self rescue. Boat rescue. The famous "Hit Ann & Bill with the throw rope" trick.

Oh my God! The water is cold! Where am I? Where is my boat? Where is the fried chicken? Where is my paddling partner?

All these questions and many more will be answered in the Self-Rescue Clinic. The Clinic is designed to help you understand what to do when everything goes upside down. We will go over water reading, boat control, rescue drills, rope throwing, knots, swimming in water current, clothing on the water, boat outfitting and safety equipment.

The Clinic will be located on the Okatoma River, near Sanford, MS. We will meet at the Okatoma Outdoor Post, which is 8 miles north west of Hattiesburg, MS on US Highway 49, 601-722-4297. The Outdoor Post is where we will be camping Friday and Saturday night.

The Clinic will begin Fright evening at 12 noon and end around 2 pm Sunday. You must be ready to go on the river 8 am Saturday, this means that you will have all your paddling gear and have paid for your shuttle and camping fees with the Okatoma Outdoor Post.

The Okatoma Outdoor Post will provide a trailer to load your boat to run the shuttle.

Friday we will set up camp and begin the famous knot training & rope tricks. We will try to teach you how to tie knots and how to use them. We will also go over trip leader responsibilities.

Saturday we will paddle the Okatoma River, from MS Hwy. 590 and take out at Fairchild Landing. We will work on river skills, boat control, self-rescue, and safety drills.

Sunday we will put in at Fairchild Landing and paddle up stream to the Fairchild Drop. We will work on rope skills, swimming in current, rope rescue, self-rescue and boat over boat rescue skills.

You will need a canoe/kayak, paddles, PFD, dry bag, throw ropes/safety gear, camping gear, (1) 6' 7mm rope, (1) 12' nylon tubular webbing, Fox 40 whistle, and food/water/etc.

The fee for BHPC members will be $15 per adult, $5 for second adult at the same address, and children under 12 years of age are free. If someone would like to attend the SRC and not join the BHPC there will be a fee of $65.00 per person. The Clinic will be limited to the first 15 BHPC members, if we do not get 15 BHPC members then it will be open to non-members. In addition to the SRC fee you will be responsible for camping fee, canoe/kayak rental, & shuttle fee.

If you plan to attend the SRC you must fill out the SRC Application and sign the Waver (see link below). The Application & Waves will need to be forward to Ann & Bill Hager ASAP. Ann or Bill will contact you about the Clinic and answer any questions or concerns you may have, you can also contact Ann or Bill by phone @ 225-387-3717.

The Self-Rescue Clinic and Trip Leader Training is designed to help everyone improve their paddling, safety rescue skills, and their understanding of moving water, regardless of their paddling skills. We also hope to increase our trip leadership and have these people understand what is required to be a BHPC Trip Leader.

Early registration for this event is very important. Registration for this clinic will end May 1, 2008. If you have attended the SRC before it is still important to contact Ann or Bill, e-mails will not be a form of registration.

Rating: Intermediate/Strenuous

Application Form and Waiver

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