Half-slice kayaks promise play and precision—but can also carry hidden risks when paddlers push them into high-consequence water. The tragic death of Dylan Wallace on Colorado’s Arkansas River’s Class V Pine Creek in 2024, paired with my own near-miss in the same rapid, underscores why boat choice, conditions, and group readiness matter. This article explores when not to paddle a half-slice—through lessons from Dylan’s parents, expert designers, and the realities of Class V whitewater.
When Not to Paddle Your Half Slice
Half-slice kayaks have revolutionized whitewater with their playful, versatile design. They let paddlers surf, squirt, and boof with precision. But they also come with risks—especially when volume, gradient, and paddler weight press the limits of design.
The tragic drowning of Dylan Wallace on Colorado’s Pine Creek at high water (1,870 cfs) in June 2024 highlights this tension. Dylan was an accomplished Class V paddler and kayak instructor, yet his choice of a narrow, low-volume half-slice may have been a factor in his fatal flip (American Whitewater Accident Report, June 2024). His story raises a difficult question: how do we know when not to paddle a half-slice?
I’ve wrestled with this question personally. On a medium-flow Pine Creek lap a year before Dylan’s accident, I caught an unexpected edge in my half-slice Dagger Rewind M. After multiple failed rolls, I was flushed left—lucky to escape the crux that took Dylan’s life. That experience, paired with Dylan’s tragedy, drives this reflection: our decisions can’t be based on excitement or convenience alone. Boat design, water levels, paddler weight, rescue planning, and honest group dialogue must all factor in.
Dylan’s Incident at Pine Creek
On June 4, 2024, Dylan Wallace, a highly skilled paddler, flipped in the Class V Pine Creek section of Colorado’s Arkansas River at 1,870 CFS. Despite multiple roll attempts and swift rescue efforts, he drowned. Dylan was paddling a 75-gallon half-slice kayak, a choice that may have contributed to instability given his 225-pound weight and the powerful hydraulics at this level.
Lessons and Risk Factors
Dylan’s parents add perspective that underscores the need for careful decision-making. His father, David Wallace, reflects: “Dylan was an experienced big water Class V kayaker. He’d run Pine Creek a hundred times and had just returned from the North Fork Payette and the South Fork Salmon. But at 225 pounds, he was too heavy for the 72-gallon Powerslide that day. He got stood on his tail right before dropping into the Pine Creek hole, then did a tail-stand in the hole before getting flushed out. His friends were in creek boats, but no one questioned his choice.”
His mother, Betsy Frick, adds: “On his first roll he made eye contact with one of his boating partners, but rolled back over on the other side. On the second, he lost his paddle and went back under. David thinks he may have hit his head. Whatever the case, he didn’t pull his skirt. We’ll never know why.”
Their reflections highlight how expertise, familiarity, and enthusiasm for a new boat can combine to overshadow risk. Even seasoned paddlers can make choices that put them at the edge of safety.
Expert Insights
Clay Wright, pro athlete and designer, notes that half-slices excel in big water and low-volume runs but increase the risk of pinning. He stresses the importance of skills like the Hand of God rescue and having appropriate partners.
“No one should be running Class V without knowing the Hand of God. It’s the fastest lifesaving skill to learn in the world,” Wright explained. While Dylan and his crew were highly skilled, Pine Creek at nearly 2,000 CFS is an aerobic, high-consequence rapid where even expert paddlers are in survival mode. Rescue attempts often must wait until the venue no longer threatens the rescuer.
Wright also reminds paddlers that not all half-slices are created equal. Modern designs with greater width and surface area are more forgiving, while narrow, low-volume sterns—like the one Dylan paddled—can be far less stable for heavier paddlers in big water.
Shane Benedict of Liquidlogic adds that the boat must match the paddler’s comfort and the run’s demands. Even well-designed half-slices can be dangerous if mismatched to paddler weight or conditions.
Sidebar: Voices from the River
From Dylan’s Parents:
“Dylan was an experienced Class V kayaker. He’d run Pine Creek a hundred times and just returned from Idaho’s North Fork Payette and South Fork Salmon. But at 225 pounds, he was too heavy for the 72-gallon Powerslide that day. His friends were in creek boats, but no one questioned his choice.” — David Wallace
“On his first roll he made eye contact with one of his boating partners, but them he flipped back over. On the second, he lost his paddle and went back under. David thinks he may have hit his head. Whatever the case, he didn’t pull his skirt. We’ll never know why.” — Betsy Frick
From Clay Wright:
“No one should be running Class V without knowing the Hand of God. It’s the fastest lifesaving skill to learn in the world.”
Decision-Making Framework
Half-slice kayaks blend playfulness and precision, but their low-volume sterns increase risk in complex hydraulics. Consider this chart when deciding:
✅ Paddle Half Slice: Local fun runs, moderate volume, clean lines, paddler within weight range, minimal obstructions, strong boat control, ACA-level group rescue skills.
⚠️ Choose Creek Boat: Class IV–V steep or technical runs, higher volume than your comfort zone, paddler at upper weight limit, wood/sieve hazards, fatigue or nerves, high-consequence rescue scenarios.
Takeaway
Half-slice kayaks are high-performance, exciting tools. Used thoughtfully, they open up creative lines and playful opportunities. But Dylan’s story reminds us that boat choice must align with skill, weight, conditions, and rescue readiness. The right tool, paired with self-awareness, can mean the difference between a great run and a fatal mistake.
Rest in peace Dylan. We miss you.
Read Mountain Mail story here.
By David Hughes
Owner of Chile’s Pucon Kayak Retreat, ACA L4 Instructor Trainer/International Rep, Swiftwater Safety Institute Swiftwater Rescue Tech Instructor.