SUP season is upon us and as the weather continues to improve more and more paddle boarders will be heading to the water. In previous years there was a push to educate riders – especially those with little to n prior experience – about SUP safety. In 2023, the need to educate is even more prevalent.
SUP tragedies, and avoiding them.
There has been a spate of stand up paddle boarding tragedies over the past few years which as seen the need for a higher awareness about SUP safety. The first high profile incident happened just down the road from NCW’s The Rubber Shack in the Camel Estuary.
Simon Flyn was paddle boarding with his friend Sam Foyle. With a strong current in the mix Simon became entangled on a mooring buoy which saw him unable to be freed. Simon sadly lost his life that day. Sam then took it upon himself to raise awareness of the dangers of wearing the wrong SUP leash. In 2023 a good many SUP brands and retailers now provide their board with a quick release safety belt as standard – NCW doing the same. But SUP safety isn’t about leashes alone.
The RNLI’s SUP safety message.
At time of writing (May 17, 2023) the RNLI have issued further guidance surrounding SUP safety and how to keep having fun without putting yourself or others at risk. Samanth Hughes from the Water Safety Partner initiative recently sent out an email with the following –
The RNLI has been facilitating a SUP safety messaging group consisting of the SUP National Governing Bodies (NGBs) and training agencies in the UK and Ireland. The group consists of: British Canoeing, British Stand Up Paddle Association (BSUPA), Water Skills Academy (WSA), Academy of Surfing Instructors (ASI), Surfing England, Irish Surfing, Scottish Surfing Federation, Welsh Surfing Federation, Canoe Wales, Scottish Canoe Association (SCA), Canoe Association of Northern Ireland (CANI), Canoeing Ireland.
The group have agreed and will promote 4 key messages alongside promoting the benefits of having a lesson. These messages are aimed at new and inexperienced paddlers. They are:
- Wear a buoyancy aid
- Carry a phone in a waterproof pouch
- Wear the correct leash
- Avoid offshore winds
The RNLI has furthermore produced a poster which highlights a few key SUP safety points.
If you’re heading afloat this SUP Season make sure you observe SUP safety. If you want to discuss anything SUP safety or SUP related then get in touch with us here at The Rubber Shack.