by Michael Carney, SouthCentral Regional Rep
Whether it’s your first time on the water or your five thousandth, there are a few simple things you should do before you leave home to make sure you have a fun and safe time on the water.
As we become more experienced and skilled we often find ourselves falling into a routine and become complacent about basic safety checks before getting on the water. Every paddler should be checking these three basic things before heading out.
Weather and Water
It may sound basic, but checking the weather and water conditions and forecast before you go can make a big difference in your day on the water. Do you need sunscreen or a rain jacket today? How strong is the wind, and what direction is it blowing?
Newer paddlers should avoid off-shore winds (blowing out to sea) and paddle into the wind at the start so you have the wind at your back as you paddle back to shore.
Don’t forget about the tide. Starting at a slack tide and finishing with an ebbing tide might be more than you bargained for!
Lastly, don’t just check once and assume the forecast is correct. Always keep an eye out for changing weather conditions, wind, and tides.
Equipment
When was the last time you inspected your leash or PFD for damage? Checking your gear before you get in the car will not only make sure that you have everything, but that it is in working order as well. Do you wear an inflatable PFD? Make sure the CO2 canister is firmly screwed into place - they tend to work themselves loose over time. Which leash will you use? It's important to know which leash is best for your conditions.
Gear Check (AKA Mike’s Big Five)
- Paddle Board (and pump if inflatable)
- Paddle
- Fin and bolt
- PFD, Leash (appropriate for the conditions), Communications
- Water and Sunscreen
Buddy Check!
Of course paddling with a friend is both more fun and more safe, but for those solo paddlers out there, you can still implement the buddy system for a safe paddle session. If you can’t paddle with a partner, let someone know where you are starting, where you are going, what time you’ll start and end, what time to check in with you to make sure you are off the water safely, and what to do if they can’t reach you.
New paddlers may not have thought about some of these aspects before getting on the water, and experienced paddlers might just take them for granted, but checking these items every time you go out will set you up for a safe and fun time on the water.
Looking for more information about SUP Safety? Connect with your USA SUP Regional facebook page, join a local paddling club, or check out this very in-depth three-part SUP Safety book by New Zealand National SUP Safety Officer Bill Dawes.
Safe paddling is happy paddling, and I’ll see you on the water!
~Mike
Mike Carney is one of our Regional Reps for the SouthCentral region and an expert on inflatable paddleboards! Check out some of his reviews on InflatableBoarder.com
