Cooling off in the Kings

As temperatures soared past the century mark Saturday, dozens of residents packed up their rafts, inner tubes and ice chests to seek relief from the heat in the cool waters of the Kings River.

Floaters and boaters have been hitting the water since mid-June, and the river is expected to remain at an acceptable level through July and into early August -- making now prime floating season.

Many opt to launch their rafts just north of Hanford off Cairo Avenue on either side of Highway 43 and enjoy a leisurely float to the Laton-Kingston Regional Park, which can last up to four hours.

Carlos Sanchez and Shayne Vetter of Hanford were among those who headed to the river Saturday with more than 20 of their friends to float that stretch of the Kings.

"I try to come every year whenever the water's high enough," Sanchez said as he held his new orange raft shaped like a baseball glove.

It was 20-year-old Vetter's first time floating the Kings, and when his friends planned the trip he grabbed a donut-shaped raft from his parents' boat and joined them.

Stephanie Rodriguez of Hanford organized the trip and said it was her third time floating down the river this summer.

"The water seems faster now then the first time we came," Rodriguez said.

Part of their group sat aboard a large blue hexagonally shaped raft, complete with cup holders, which served as the anchor for five other rafts, including a yellow boat that was designated as the ice chest carrier.

Many of those who float the Kings stock their ice chests with beer and other alcoholic beverages, but Commander Robert Thayer with the Kings County Sheriff's Department discourages it.

"Alcohol causes people to not think on a sober level and can always lead to problems," Thayer said. "If a person is floating down the river then gets out and gets in their car, now they are driving intoxicated."

Though Sanchez, 22, said he does enjoy drinking a beer while he floats, he said he is sure to bring extra plastic bags so that he can dispose of the cans appropriately and not litter the already debris-ridden river.

Since not all floaters take their trash with them, the shore and bottom of the lake can contain broken glass and other sharp objects and Thayer recommends wearing water shoes while in the river.

Thayer oversees the water rescue unit, which patrols the river routinely throughout summer and has witnessed how dangerous it can be.

He said one of the most important aspects is to let someone know where your entry and exit points will be and to never float in a group of less than three. He said it is not a good idea to tie rafts or inner tubes together.

Brian Robertshaw of Visalia floated the river on Saturday with his family and friends and said he couldn't think of a better way to spend the weekend.

"It's a great way to enjoy the sun and beat the heat," Robertshaw said.

This reporter can be reached at 583-2427.

(June 28, 2009)