Return of the Ring
April-May 2004
This is an article from WaveLength Magazine, available in print in North America and globally on the web.
To download a pdf copy of the magazine click here: > DOWNLOAD
by Terry Gowler
I had just spent seven days exploring BC’s Broken Group Islands with four friends, crossing from Gilbert Island to the docks at Sechart on our last day.
We had docked and were ready to get out of our paddling gear, shower, put on some clean clothes and wait for the M/V Lady Rose to pick us up for the trip home.
Bob was unloading his boat on one side of me and John was on the other side squaring away his gear. I was standing between them on the dock, enjoying the view and taking off my paddling gloves. You know, it’s a simple thing taking off a glove, done almost without any thought behind it whatsoever. Just a simple pull and off it comes. Well, for you maybe.
As I slipped off my left paddling glove, off shot my wedding ring into the air and plop, into the bay. I shouted what was tobe the first of many expletives as I watched the ring, in the cold, clear Canadian water, sink 8 to 10 feet to the bottom and remain visible.
Bob looked as I pointed to the bottom and caught sight of it while I explained what had just happened. Then out from under the dock a large pile perch or some such fish, thinking this shiny object was a tasty morsel, swam over, ate my ring and started to swim away while I yelled out another long set of expletives.
Seconds seemed like minutes as the fish lazily swam a few feet away and then, to my extreme joy, spit out the ring. The ring was still visible and I was somewhat relieved. John had followed what had just happened and, as he still had his Polartec paddling suit on, offered to free dive for it. Without the aid of mask or fins, John, on his second attempt, came up all smiles with the ring in hand.
Any of you who are married or wear a ring signifying that special bond will understand that this was a near death experience. “Honey... honest, I was off kayaking with four guys in the Canadian wilderness and really, a fish ate my wedding ring, honest!”
Thanks, John, for saving my life and to Bob, for witnessing it all so it wasn’t just another fish story.
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Cost of a Kayak lesson, $100. Boat rental for the day, $25. Dry suit rental, $10. Seal on your kayak, chance of a life time. Guy with a camera right next to you with one picture left— priceless!
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© Terry Gowler paddles with the Hole in the Wall Paddling Club in Washington State.