Swift Kern River Claims Kayaker’s Life by Blake Taylor A man drowned over the weekend while kayaking in the Kern River. The experienced kayaker capsized in the Soda Springs Rapids in Tulare County Sunday. A second kayaker made it ashore, but the victim was carried downstream into more intense rapids. The man was an experienced kayaker wearing a life vestHis body was recovered shortly after his friends called for help. Authorities are warning people that Central California’s rivers are running higher and faster than normal due to all that rain we received during the winter and early spring. An experienced kayaker is dead after he capsized in fast running water in the Kern River. The victim was with three friends. He and another kayaker capsized in the Soda Springs Rapids in Tulare County. The other kayaker was helped out of the water, but the victim was carried into a more intense rapids. Tulare Sheriff’s Deputies and the Fresno Sheriff’s helicopter recovered the victim’s body. His name has not been released. He is from Kern County. The victim was an experienced kayaker and was wearing a life jacket. Authorities warn that rivers in Central California are running higher and faster than usual. They can also be bitter cold.