I lost an uncle, swimming the Kern river on a bet.
My mother is from that area - picked and sorted peaches in the summer to put herself through college. You know how hot it gets there.
Two of my cousins barely survived “tubing” down the Kern River. I didn’t grow up in the area but visited frequently, including trips to the river - we were told it was treacherous and to stay out. I’ve always been terrified of it and it’s incredible how many people have died in it.