A guide to rescuing below Phil’s Hole by Evan Kindseth

As safety for somebody surfing Phil’s it is best to position yourself in a kayak in the river right eddy below Phil’s. Once somebody drops into Phil’s it is important to watch them carefully because it is possible that the swim, have there skirt implode, or of them to drop a paddle. With a dropped paddle the paddle can simple be retrieved and brought into the eddy below McCoy’s island, however a swim is more complicated. When someone swims the first thing to do is always to ask if they are okay. If they are, which is this guide will be dealing with, tell them to swim left and you can proceed with the rescue. The paddle needs to be secured quickly because it is easy to lose. If the swimmer has the paddle or another boater is going for the paddle you can go straight for the boat, otherwise you should grab the floating paddle first. Once you get to the boat lift it on its side to drain some of the water. Then swing the boat onto your bow and rock the boat side to side to drain the rest of the water. Once the boat is mostly empty, move you and everything you’ve rescued to the left. If all went according to plan the swimmer and all of his or her gear should end up in or above the football eddie on river left.