RedactedNarrative: Three female kayakers launched at approximately 1230 from the grand caverns area along south river with the plan on floating to port republic boat ramp on the south fork of the shenandoah river in rockingham county, va. 
  
  Of the three kayakers, two were novice kayakers with less than 25 hours between them; the third kayaker considered herself experienced and had planned the trip. The kayakers saw no issues with water conditions at the put in or take out point and had consulted temperature and rain forecast but not river forecast. 
  
  Approximately 10 minutes into the paddle trip, the kayakers encountered a rough patch of water caused by a tree wrapped around a rock which created a strainer effect. All three kayakers were capsized by the hazard in the water. 
  
  Only one of the three was wearing her pfd. The lead kayaker was able to get her kayak to an island where she beached it before reentering the water to retrieve the two kayaks that had floated past her. 
  
  attempted to paddle back up stream but ended up beaching the kayaks along a shore and walking the river bank to her friends. Both of the other kayakers had made their way to the island and had walked ashore. 
  
  During the capsizing and ensuing ride through the rapids before landing on the island, one of the kayakers sustained injuries to her hand and legs. It was later determined at augusta health (hospital) that her head had sustained significant contusions, laceration, and her legs had a number of abrasions. Accident caused by operator inexperience and a significant hazard in the water.
  