Jet Sleds and High Rocks

[T-Jet]

Ran the Clackamas on Sunday. I was told by the newly appointed life gaurd to turn around due to the water level being low! My question is this. Do you sled owners feel that this is right?
I have learned my lesson and will no longer run this river in the warmer months due to increased traffic from folks either drifting or just enjoying the water. I have well over 25 years experience in boating. From a simple inflatable,driftboat and powerboats. I grew up drifting the Clack. I consider myself an extremely safe boater. I realize I cant controll the actions of others and this is why I choose not to run this river again until fall. Why do I have to give up my right to enjoy this same body of water? American Medical Response (AMR) has employed lifegaurds to protect those who cant do it themselves. Have they been trained and informed of the boating traffic this river recieves?
I dont want to start a war on this topic. I just feel this situation last Sunday could have been avoided. Granted, I learned my lesson and wont run this river again until Fall. But,why should I have to forfeit this right?
I asked that they take my boat #'s and I traveled down to the mouth to discuss it with any law enforcement official, but nobody was there. Any comments would be appreciated.

[fishing is life]

i am surprised if that lifeguard had the power to do that. i would be interested to see if that is true. you are right that it probably is not worth running till fall especially with all the recreationalists.

[WheresMyBobber]

AMR Lifeguards/employees have no authority to tell you to turn around, nor do they have any law enforcement authority. Follow your normal river etiquette, common sense, and safety guidelines, and do as you wish.

[David Johnson]

I doubt they could tell you what to do with your boat.

But don't feel bad, there isn't enough going on in the Clack to waist your time on or risk hitting bottom.

[poshie]

They don't even have the power to tell the extreme divers what to do. They can only recommend. I think I'd call the AMR...

[Paddlefish]

When in doubt, be gracious and classy.

I'm sure you could proceed through the area at the slowest possible speed without antagonizing, endangering, or angering anybody. And, unless the Marine Board has just enacted some highly unlikely emergency statute, it's still everybody's river.

Besides, until AMR put their babysitters on the bank, a passing fishing boat was the closest thing to an emergency lifesaving option in that area for many years.

[ 07-23-2002, 02:42 PM: Message edited by: Paddlefish ]

[T-Jet]

Thanks for the support folks! I wanted to take some relatives on the river to expose them to "my world". They are from Atlanta and dont get to see Oregon too much. All I experienced through out the day was rudeness and stupidity!
David.........your right! The water level was pressing it.
To make matters worse, all this unfolded in front of a news crew! They filmed me as I came under I-205 and spun the boat to keep from entering High Rocks. Then the argument shortly after!

[k9jeff]

contact the clack co s.o. river folks and discuss the matter with them. They have the final say, and if there is a problem with some "lifeguard" telling you what to do, some communication needs to take place between law enforcement and the baywatch wanbee's. :hoboy: