Stand Up Paddle Boarding (SUP) may look easy, but it’s essential to keep SUP safety in mind. Here are some tips to keep safe when paddling.
1. Have Swimming Skills
Being able to swim is critical for stand-up paddling. You will fall into the water as you learn to stand up paddle, so you must be able to tread water and swim back to your board.
2. Always Wear Your Leash
Your leash is your lifeline. It attaches to your ankle and the board. Wear it at all times. SUP boards travel very easily and fast over the water. If you fall off your SUP board, it could mean a long swim to retrieve your board. If you have your leash on, your board will stay close to you.
Use a coiled leash only, so it does not drag on the water and risk becoming entangled with weed or branches. Stay well away from water hazards such as boat moorings and other water obstructions, so your leash doesn’t get caught on them and hold you underwater. Know how to use the quick release on your leash to remove it in case of an emergency.
3. Paddle in Flat, Calm Water
Choose a SUP location with flat water. Rivers and lakes are ideal. Know the location and its associated hazards. Stay away from boats, moorings, submerged tree branches, or anything that you could fall onto. Only go out in still, slow-moving water. Flowing water makes it difficult to paddle and can carry you far away. You can become tired quickly if you have to paddle against flowing water.
At the ocean, if you are new to paddling, do not go on the waves. It is very dangerous and only for experienced paddlers. Stay in flat calm waters.
4. Understand Weather Conditions
Don’t paddle out if it’s windy. Wind can easily blow you far away from your starting location. It is very difficult to paddle against the wind, and you will soon tire yourself out, putting yourself in danger. Winds can also blow you “offshore,” meaning the wind is blowing from the land and out to sea or away from the coast. Do not go into waters where the wind is blowing offshore.
When paddling, always look back to shore to see if you have been blown away. Stay close to shore at all times. Check weather conditions before you go out. The wind could change suddenly, and you will struggle to get back to your starting location.
5. Avoid Weirs
Some waterways have weirs, often when the water level drops to another level. Stay away from weirs, as they can be dangerous. You can get held underwater by the backflow or suffer injury from the drop. At least 200 meters from a weir, portage your board, which means getting out of the water, then re-entering it 200 meters downstream from the weir.
6. Stay Close to Shore
You can travel quite fast while paddling and before you know it, you can be a long way from the shore. If you tire out, you don’t want a long way to paddle back to shore. Always keep a watch on the shoreline and change direction regularly to make sure you are close.
7. Look Out for Hazards
If hazards are close by or you are feeling unsteady, paddle on your knees or on your bum. This lowers your center of balance and reduces the risk of falling off and onto the hazards.
8. Have 360 Degree Awareness
While out on the water, maintain constant awareness. Watch out for other watercraft such as jet skis, boats, and other water users. Stay away from them to avoid collisions. Always be aware of the weather, wind, and water conditions – be alert at all times.
9. Paddle with a Buddy
Go out with a partner. It is always good to have someone there to help you out if you need it. If you are experienced and paddling longer distances, alert the maritime authorities.
10. Avoid River Mouths
Do not paddle through a river mouth, where a river goes out to the sea. The currents at river mouths are very dangerous. You can be pushed onto hazards and held underwater. Stay at least 200 meters away from a river mouth at all times.
11. Understand the Tides
Tides flow in and out, meaning the water can flow very fast. Be aware of tides and flow in estuaries and bodies of water opening out to the ocean. You can be pushed onto objects like boat moorings and be held underwater.
12. Be SUP Savvy
You are at the mercy of mother nature. While you may feel safe on top of your paddle board, knowing more about all aspects of SUP activities is critical to SUP safety. Once mastered, you can enjoy the amazing benefits of stand-up paddling.
Take some stand-up paddle lessons to learn about water and weather conditions so you understand what is safe and unsafe. Learn about your own paddle skills and your limitations so that you know the conditions and locations you can paddle in. Learn what you should do if you are in an emergency situation – self-rescue skills and possibly how to rescue others. Be prepared at all times!
By following these precautions and continuously educating yourself, you can ensure a safe and enjoyable paddle boarding experience. Whether you’re new to SUP or looking to buy paddle boards for sale, always prioritize safety on the water.