Image courtesy of Nathan Rupert at Flickr.com
Where and how you can paddle a stand-up board is endless. And that means a safety realm just as broad. Having fun is important, but doing it safely should be priority one. Rule one of any extreme sport is to protect your escape route. On a downwinder, that means biasing your course towards the shore from the beginning. It's too late if you punt on and wait until things are getting sketchy before you take action. Plan your exit point at a SUP friendly beach and car park. The proper wetsuit could make the difference in survival if you fall in and get separated from your board. Also, it is always good to know how to tuck the paddle under the chest and paddle while being prone in case you get caught in a massive wind going in an adverse direction. Patrick Dwyer suggests that beginner paddle boarders take lessons before hitting the water, following the tragic drowning of a teenage girl in Whangamata. Fifteen-year-old Amie Louise Russell drowned after the paddleboard she was riding got caught in a strong outgoing current and rammed into a nearby yacht in New Zealand. It is a legal requirement to carry a lifejacket while on a paddleboard, even if you are strapped to it. The only exceptions are if the paddleboarder is actively involved in surfing or it is part of an event where the rules allow lifejackets not to be worn. If you are going into an environment you are not conformable with, the lifeguards know their stuff. They can help people with weather information, especially rips and currents. Even fit athletes can get into trouble, like being blown out to sea, if they don't know how to deal with the elements. Beachgoers should call their local surf club or check online for updates on weather conditions before heading out.
Self Rescue
Self-rescue techniques include paddling assuming a kneeling or sitting position, paddling prone using the hands and advice as to when to use such techniques. A distress signal can include waving the paddle side to side above the head whilst straddling board or waving arms above head, side to side to attract attention. Stay with your board at all times, which is more visible in a rescue situation than a lone swimmer and will provide in most cases an adequate platform of safety. Avoid paddling in offshore winds and know how and when to respond if needs be.
Self Rescue
Self-rescue techniques include paddling assuming a kneeling or sitting position, paddling prone using the hands and advice as to when to use such techniques. A distress signal can include waving the paddle side to side above the head whilst straddling board or waving arms above head, side to side to attract attention. Stay with your board at all times, which is more visible in a rescue situation than a lone swimmer and will provide in most cases an adequate platform of safety. Avoid paddling in offshore winds and know how and when to respond if needs be.
Image courtesy of Parm Parmar at Flickr.com
Falling off your paddleboard happens from time to time even if you are on a large and stable board. You can tip off the side or lose your balance and go backward off the tail. Once you’re in the water you will have the new task of getting back on and there are two main ways to accomplish this. As this is an extreme sport, knowing how to rescue yourself is important. Self Rescue on the Stand Up Paddleboard is simple and straightforward. If you fall off simply grab the board with both hands and pull your chest over the board, and then swing your legs around and get back up.
This easy maneuver makes the Stand Up Paddleboard safer than the canoe or kayak which both require more skill and dexterity to get back on board. If your board flips, the maneuver is a little more complicated, and you will have to flip your board back around. Kicking your feet under you grab one side of the board mid-ships and pull up one side while you push down the other. If you are paddling an extra wide board, such as a Yolo Yak, it might prove to be too difficult to flip alone. Climb to your board upside down, and if you're not in immediate danger of nearby towboats simply ride the water and paddle towards the closest shore. You will be able to re-flip the board from the shore, especially from a shallow sandbar. If your board has been rolled over with gear attached and you can't return it upright you might cut loose your gear and then re-flip it.
If you find yourself struggling against a strong headwind or the water is very choppy to the point you can’t keep your balance then kneel down on your paddleboard. This will greatly reduce the wind resistance your body creates when standing up and lowers your center of gravity offering you a lot more stability. Choke up on the shaft of your paddle and start moving out of the area. Holding your paddle further down the shaft gives you better leverage and power, and it is just easier to paddle that way when kneeling. But if conditions are to the point that you are having trouble getting to a safe spot even on your knees, then the next strategy is to lie stomach down on your board and paddle with your hands. The prone position is the most stable position and offers the least resistance to the wind. Once you are lying down, slide the blade of your paddle underneath your chest so the shaft is angled upwards in front of you- this way you won’t lose it and it will be readily available when you need it.
This easy maneuver makes the Stand Up Paddleboard safer than the canoe or kayak which both require more skill and dexterity to get back on board. If your board flips, the maneuver is a little more complicated, and you will have to flip your board back around. Kicking your feet under you grab one side of the board mid-ships and pull up one side while you push down the other. If you are paddling an extra wide board, such as a Yolo Yak, it might prove to be too difficult to flip alone. Climb to your board upside down, and if you're not in immediate danger of nearby towboats simply ride the water and paddle towards the closest shore. You will be able to re-flip the board from the shore, especially from a shallow sandbar. If your board has been rolled over with gear attached and you can't return it upright you might cut loose your gear and then re-flip it.
If you find yourself struggling against a strong headwind or the water is very choppy to the point you can’t keep your balance then kneel down on your paddleboard. This will greatly reduce the wind resistance your body creates when standing up and lowers your center of gravity offering you a lot more stability. Choke up on the shaft of your paddle and start moving out of the area. Holding your paddle further down the shaft gives you better leverage and power, and it is just easier to paddle that way when kneeling. But if conditions are to the point that you are having trouble getting to a safe spot even on your knees, then the next strategy is to lie stomach down on your board and paddle with your hands. The prone position is the most stable position and offers the least resistance to the wind. Once you are lying down, slide the blade of your paddle underneath your chest so the shaft is angled upwards in front of you- this way you won’t lose it and it will be readily available when you need it.