The day started off just like any other paddling mission from Calgary. I got up early, met Mikkel and we headed to Fernie to paddle the Upper Elk. We had three choices of places to go for the weekend and for some reason Fernie was at the bottom of my list. It worked best to go there for Mikkel and since it really didn’t matter to me where we paddled I didn’t have a problem going. Have you ever felt like you were getting a sign or that someone was trying to tell you something? Well, Fernie being on the bottom of my list was sign one.

About to break my nose on Leap of Faith (Photo: Shon Cottrill)

When we got to Fernie we made our usual stop at Subway to grab some quick lunch before putting on the river. Outside there was a guy eating that had a broken nose with a big thing of gauze over his bridge. “I bet he didn’t even do that doing something cool, like running a waterfall.” I thought to myself. Harsh I know, and sign two. Next we met up with Shon “Flex” Cottrill. He had a separated shoulder but wanted to get out of the house and come take some pictures of us. Flex has been a fighter his whole life and does UFC or something similar, he’s broken his nose several times and somehow we started taking about it while Mikkel and I geared up. Sign three.

Heading into second drop (Photo: Shon Cottrill)

Regardless we put on the Upper Elk to find it running at near perfect levels for the upper canyon that almost never gets run. I haven’t been in my creek boat that much lately and it felt a little weird but I wasn’t paddling bad so I didn’t worry about it. We finished the upper canyon and made it to Leap of Faith, one of my favourite waterfalls that I was really excited to run. I opted to go first, while Mikkel and Flex stayed above. (above is on a cliff 80-100 feet above the drop) I’ve been experimenting with different angles off of waterfalls lately and was focused on setting my angle for the perfect plug. I lined up with the pillow to ensure that I landed in the most aerated water and rolled over the lip. I remember the water from the pillow coming over top of me and not being able to see anything by the time I was half way down. “That’s ok my angle still feels good.” raced through my mind as I fell. I went into my tuck and placed my paddle at a 45 across my boat, wham, my paddle and fist got pushed up into my face as I hit the pool below. I let go of my paddle instantly and realise that I’d broken my nose. I hand rolled up and checked the damage, “yep I broke my nose,” I say aloud “and that’s a lot of blood.” I grabbed my paddle and headed for shore, motioning to Mikkel and Flex that I’d broken my nose. Mikkel ran the falls after me but threw his paddle so he didn’t repeat what I’d done. We packed in Mikkel’s truck and headed for the Hospital, all I can think is man I’m not looking forward to them setting my nose. I asked Flex if he had ever had his nose set. He said, “yes, it hurts.”

Boofing a little ledge in-between drops (Photo: Shon Cottrill)

We got to the hospital and there was no one there. A nurse shouted that she’d be with me in a minute from the other room as she tinkered with something. “What is she doing?” I wonder. She noticed that I was hurt and kept doing her thing, “I guess it’s not that bad” I thought. “It’s not like my leg fell off and I’m holding it.” She finally came and took me into a room, laid me down and told me Dr. Gray would see me shortly. In front of me I noticed a bunch of boxes labelled Vasectomy, “yeah it could be a lot worse!”

In the middle of the triple drop above the falls (Photo: Shon Cottrill)

It ended up that I didn’t need my nose set even though it was broken, just a few stitches under my eye. I’ve wondered if turning my head more would of helped but I think I may of broken my hand then, which would have been a lot worse in terms of getting back on the water quickly.

Any who there’s my little story of how I broke my nose.

Be safe out there!

Kelsey Thompson