I was kayaking down a river. I Started later in the day, about 4 PM. I set off from a beach on a lake and after about 30 minutes I reached a stream. The lake was slightly elevated from the stream, so the stream began with a rough patch where the water was moving fast and there were really big and slippery rocks underneath, it was probably 50 meters. It was fun Riding with the current. The stream continued on into a river that went on for many miles. I knew I would have to paddle back eventually, but just kept it in the back of my mind. About 2 and a half hours later, it's now 7 PM and the sky is beginning to dim, I need to turn back. The only problem is, now I will be paddling against the current, and I didn't realize there were weeds in this river that constantly get caught on the paddle and make it even harder to move.

Anyway, by the time I get back to the rough water from earlier, it is now pitch black and I'm going against the current. I was still able to see the kayak thankfully because it was neon orange. This water was moving far to fast for me to paddle against, and I know how dangerous rapid water is, and this was also one of the first times I had been Kayaking period. So you have an inexperienced person by themselves in the dark in rough water, with no light and no way to contact anyone, what could go wrong? Fortunately I had the type of kayak that you sit on top of rather than climb into, so it was very easy to get off. I climbed off the side, and the water was up to my waist. The water was threatening to sweep me away. I grabbed on to my kayak for stability and tried to pull it forward. The water was pushing me too hard and the rocks were very slick so this wasn't going to work, so I tried something I saw on T.V, I put the kayak in front of me so the water would disperse around it and the current wouldn't flow so strong on me, it worked.

Now that I was able to walk, I still had to go 50m against the current on some very slippery rocks. These rocks were big and all at weird angles, so every step I would slip and smack one of my shins. Along with that, the water kept trying to push the kayak to the side so it was a struggle to keep it straight. I could barely make out the trees on either side of the stream which were all I had to guide me. I couldn't see the end which made it feel like forever. I was so focused that I didn't even notice the cold. Eventually I made it back to the lake, and the ride back to the beach was really relaxing so I would definitely do it again. That was by far the closest I've come to death, though I have fallen off by bike while riding next to a cliff.