Thinking of trying stand up paddle boarding ( #SUP)? To make sure that you have the best time possible out there on the water we want to make sure that you stay safe out there. I’ve compiled a list of the top 10 SUP safety tips guide to keep you enjoying your paddling time out on the water.
1. Bring a Buddy!
Especially, if you are doing open ocean paddles & don’t have the past experience of paddling in an unfamiliar territory. Bringing a buddy out is very important. If something happens either of you, the other can get help. If you’re concerned about conditions, then you can discuss it with someone else. Besides padding just being better by sharing the experience, bringing a buddy is one of the biggest things you can do to stay safe.
2. Use a Leash
One of the most overlooked things that paddlers often ignore is the leash. Whether your going out on a completely glassy lake or out in the surf the leash is an important piece of gear. It makes sure that no matter what happens you do not get too far from your board which you can use in the case of an emergency as a floatation device. Even just falling in on flat water on a lake can send your board far away from you. With a leash, you can insure that it doesn't get too far away.
If you are planning on going down whitewater rivers then you should NOT wear a leash without a quick release belt!
3. Wear a PFD (Personal Floatation Device)
Besides being a requirement by the United States Coast Guard, the PFD is the other safeguard against danger on a SUP. It gives an extra precaution against getting stuck in the water without a board or paddle.
Not into wearing a giant orange vest? The good news is that now PFDs come in all sorts of sizes & styles. They have PFDs in a belt style that are low profile, but still get the job done.
4. Be Aware of Your Surroundings
This may seem like common sense, but tides, wind, & just having fun can drift your board farther away then you may expect. Besides that, like driving, it is important to look for potential obstacles & other things in the water like shallow rocks that besides possibly hurting you may hurt the board that you are using as well.
Assume other people on the water do not see you even if it seems obvious that other vessels or swimmers on the water see you.
5. Check a Wind, Swell, Sunrise/Sunsets Times & Tide Report
It is critical to check conditions before a paddle. Nothing can make or break a paddle more than going out when conditions are not ideal. It’s simply no fun paddling against 15mph winds and a 7ft swell. Luckily, this is easily avoided by checking the weather & swell report on sites like magicseaweed.
6. Wear Sunscreen
This one should be obvious. If you’re skin burns, wear it. If it doesn’t, still wear it. The last thing anyone needs is to come in after a long day of paddling with a horrific sunburn.
7. Bring Water
Yeah, bring way, way more water then you think you need.
8. Inspect & Have The Right Gear
Make sure your gear is fully functional & without defects BEFORE heading out on the water. There is nothing worse than finding out your gear is broken when you are already many miles paddling from where you started.
9. Bring A Whistle / Reflector
If all else fails, bringing a whistle or reflector could make all the difference if you’re separated from your board and need to be rescued. A lot of PFDs have whistles built into them, so check out your gear first.
10. Dress Appropriately
Dress for the occasion. Wetsuits are almost always a good idea if you are in colder water. If you live in Hawai'i or another tropical paradise, cold water precautions probably do not apply to you. Instead, make sure you bring a hat, sunscreen, & plenty of water for longer & more enjoyable paddles all day long.
Did I miss anything? What are your beginner SUP safety tips? Write in the comments below!
If you like this post, check out the other #paddles around Southern California, check out my website SUP Pacific
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