So who wants to come for a paddle?

Figured that they were after the "darwin" award for stupidity

Stranded canoeists face fines
By Steve Larkin and Lauren Ahwan
April 13, 2004

TWO adventurers who were stranded on Lake Eyre face $1,000 fines after being rescued by a media helicopter today.


The pair made frontpage news after refusing rescue.


Ben Kozel, 30, and Tim Jarvis, 35, were plucked from the Lake Eyre quagmire late today after refusing police help.

The pair are believed to have been without the required permits to enter the area, 150km north-west of William Creek in South Australia's far north, and face fines from SA's Environment and Heritage Department.

"They could receive an expiation notice and fines ranging from $160 through to a maximum of $1,000," the department's regional conservator John Watkins said today.

"It's too early to say what action, if any, will be taken against them until we talk to them but we want to confirm whether they had a permit or not."

Kozel and Jarvis had planned to canoe down Warburton Creek, into the huge Lake Eyre and finish on the lake's south-western shores.

The famous lake - at 7,884 square kilometres, Australia's largest - is usually parched but last month received a large amount of rainfall after a downpour originating in Queensland.

The dry lake has filled to capacity just three times in 150 years.

As Kovel and Jarvis attempted to cross the lake on Sunday, water levels dropped until the water evaporated and their canoes became stuck in the mud.

The adventurers initially asked to be rescued by police and an operation was planned for yesterday morning, but the rescue was called off when the pair decided to try and make their own way out, using skis.

Late today, the pair were plucked off the saltpan by a Channel Seven helicopter.

"Whether we could get down the creek was always an unknown," Kovel told Channel Seven.

"If we got to the mouth of the Warburton Creek and we could go no further then we get out and walk - that was the plan."

Mr Watkins said the canoeists appeared well prepared for their trip but came unstuck by not heeding advice from locals about the dangers and likelihood they would become stranded.

When rescued, Kovel and Jarvis had only 13 litres of water left to see them through temperatures of 40 degrees Celsius.

They had earlier tried to walk across the lake pulling a box that contained water, a tent and some food. Oodnadatta Police Sergeant Jeff Page today called for regulations to prevent similar situations in the future.

"I would probably be encouraging them (SA National Parks and Wildlife Service) to perhaps set some guidelines about what can and can't be done," Sgt Page said.

AAP

No doubt the canoes and tents will become salt encrusted relics because by the time they are able to go back and collect their junk it will be u/s

Whereas Lake Gairdner is firm enough to drive vehicles on 99.9% of salt lakes in Oz are very tricky and should not be messed with. Many years ago I was advised that camels walk around salt lakes and never cross them. In a momentary lapse of concentration I drove over a small corner of a salt lake in the Simpson Desert and got very close to becoming a statistic. Lesson learned.

Methinks a hefty fine for disturbing the lake should be applied to these blokes.

I can't believe this. Have I or have I not been telling everyone (who listens on here anyway) that the water would not cover Lake Eyre or fill it. The media should take some of the blame for this because of the beat up they made of it. Daily I've had to disappoint people by explaining to them either in person or on the phone that they would be unable to see the water from the ground. Wish people would take notice of what locals say. It's just on our local ABC news now - ask these questions, what was the Channel 7 helicopter doing there? How much did it cost the Channel 7 helicopter? Will the two now sell their story to Channel 7 (supposedly to cover the costs of the rescue)? Will they sell their book rights to Women's Weekly?

So you could say that after the water dried up, all that was left were two drips.

Baz.

In defence of Ben Kozel, he has had a far more exciting life than any of the nimby's on here having a good old fashion whinge.
Canoeing down two out of 4 of the largest rivers in the world is nothing to be laughed at.

Some of you want the whole world covered in safety rails... or at least the latest high tech 4x4 equiped to the max before driving down a country lane.

Its the adventurer attitude that opened up this country.
And in this particular case, they were never in real danger, and ch 7 picked up the rescue tab.

Now, back to your knitting.

what gets me is we can spend thousands of dollars plucking frogs from the middle of the ocean give them a pat on the back and say we will fix the bill see you next time.
yet when it comes to our own we call them drongos and send them the bill plus a fine yet we are the ones paying taxes.????????????? i dont get it

What is the fuss????

They said they did not need rescue so leave them alone. The only assistance that seem to be required was a drop of a UHF when thier sat phone went on the fritz. I am sure they appreciate that but from all I've seen they seem to have been adequetely prepared and were in little danger.

They were probably at no more risk than half the people who do the simpson or CSR each year and don't prepare or pack properly. I think it was all a media beat up because it was a little out of the ordinary. Once it was initially repoted then the various media as usual just had to outdo each other to build up the story.

From all I see they are reasonably seasoned adventurous souls who at least had a support team and should be left to get on with it. It is the unprepared idiots that really need rescuing that stuff it up for everyone else.

Like someone else said, pour your scorn on some of the real dumasses that go to antarctica in a trailer sailer or try and WALK across a desert with a 5 litre water bottle and no backup.

Just my opinion, yours may be different!

Steven

It's a fine line being an adventurer. If they had made it, they would have been legends but as they didn't now they are fools. I'm shure there were a few 'Local' Sherpa's telling Edmond Hillary not to climb Everest. (glad he didn't listen to them)
I took the 400 KM return boat trip into the lake last time the Warburton was flowing and it was brilliant. Would recomend the trip highly. Just don't get stuck in the mud or there will be a fools thread with your name on it. Craig...........

Yeah great adventurers, they had a support vehicle ready to pick em up, but apparently they were 400k away or so.
I'm sure i saw one of the clowns on a doco on the tele the other week, tried to walk across the frozen pack ice at the south pole, got stuck, no adequate rescue plans, no rescue insurance, a lot of people (private & military) and countries inconvenienced and a hefty bill.
must have more money than sense these blokes. and obviously haven't learnt from previous stuff ups.
Channel 7 probably just wanted the exclusive pictures etc.

Jackass ...............