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David H. Johnston
David H. Johnston
Toronto, Ontario, Canada

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RIP Bill Studebaker - Whitewater Safety & Rescue Instructor
Industry Stuff
Sunday, 06 July 2008 16:08
Bill Studebaker
Bill Studebaker
Reading through the news wire today, I found the sad news the William (Bill) Studebaker is believed to have drowned in a tragic accident Friday morning while kayaking the East Fork of the South Fork of the Salmon River in Idaho.

The specific details are very sketchy right now but he was last seen swimming for shore and then floating face down...
Bill Studebaker
Bill Studebaker
Reading through the news wire today, I found the sad news the William (Bill) Studebaker is believed to have drowned in a tragic accident Friday morning while kayaking the East Fork of the South Fork of the Salmon River in Idaho.

The specific details are very sketchy right now but he was last seen swimming for shore and then floating face down.

Friends on the road and in kayaks could not find him, though his kayak and other gear were recovered Friday.

"It's a huge blow," said Shelley Gardner, a friend and an owner of Idaho Guide Service, for which Studebaker worked. "He was the premier kayaker. His love for the river ... he was just so passionate. He was an amazing storyteller. He will be missed."

Studebaker was a well-known Idaho poet, essayist and outdoor photographer.

"He's a great spirit," said Paul Shaffer, executive director of The Cabin, a literary center in Boise. "He was a terrific writer, fabulous teacher, one of the most capable boaters. He was all Idaho. He really loved this state."

Bill also helped to run Idaho Whitewater Safety and Rescue Company (opens to a pdf).

I haven't been able to find out any news reports about what actually happened so if you know anything, drop me a line.

More info: Idaho poet, kayaker William Studebaker presumed drowned



Comments
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LJ  - Kayaker   |2008-07-07 05:16:04
Bill was the first "long-time" kayaker I met when I started my kayakeing
career. He was fun, funny, and smoked a mean cigar after a Dickle or two. Bill,
you will be missed. Condolences to your family.
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Jason Kitley  - What happened.   |2008-07-10 12:39:03
Bill died in a class V rapid on the E.Fork, S. Fork of the Salmon known as
Flight Simulator. He was paddling with two other very experienced boaters that
were ahead of him as he went into the first drop. Bill went into the first drop
and came out upside down, when he rolled up he was backwards as he went into the
second pour over. He was window shaded several times, and according to the
folks that were with him, and the information from the coroner it looked like
Bill had struck his head on a rock. the coroner reported that he had a broken
nose and jaw, although I don't know if it happened pre or post mortem. However,
the account from our mutual friends said that when Bill popped his skirt and
started swimming he seemed lackadasical, and not swimming with much of a
purpose. There was one opportunity to rescue Bill, but the current took him out
of reach of his rescuers at the last possible moment. Bill looked up once and
then went face down in the water, and that was the last he was seen until he was
found 3 days later about 1 1/2 miles downstream of the last place he was
spotted. Bill was one of a kind, and those of us that were fortunate enough to
know him and boat with him often know that there will never be another person
like him. Having had many conversations with Bill about this very thing, we can
all take solace in the fact that while Bill would have preferred a few more
seasons, there is no other way he would have wanted to go out and no other place
he would have rather been that day. Spill, life and river trips won't be the
same without you.
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0 0
akasharkbow   |2008-07-10 16:42:16
avatar Thanks so much for the comments and the detailed update. It's a really sad
story.

David J.
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