1. Paddle Board Safety Gear

SUP Leash

The most important tool when it comes to paddle board safety is a leash. Whether it is your first time out or you are an elite paddle boarder, this piece of equipment could be the difference between life and death. A leash is what connects you to your board, which is your personal flotation device that can float away from you in seconds. With a leash you are protecting your own life and the lives of those around you.

The best leash to use is one that is a foot longer than your paddleboard, and the style depends on the terrain in which you are paddle boarding. If you are an ocean paddler, a straight leash is the best. This type of leash provides safety without the potential drag and tangle that might occur in turbulent white water. If you are paddle boarding on flat water, the coiled leash will be your best friend as it stays on top of you board and will not drag in the water and slow you down. However, if you are a river paddler, it is mandatory to wear a breakaway or quick release leash because that prevents you from getting dragged in the event of you getting tangled in underwater branches.

SUP PFD

The second most important tool in stand up paddle board safety is a PFD, or personal flotation device. Another aspect of standup paddle boarding you should know is that a paddleboard is considered a vessel when it is used “beyond the narrow limits of a swimming, surfing, or bathing area”.  In these zones, it is required by law that you wear a United States Coast Guard approved flotation device every time you paddle out past the designated “swimming, surfing, or bathing area.” Here you want to use a life jacket that provides maximum buoyancy.

Even when inside the regular surf and swim zones, as you now know, a board will float away from you in seconds and chasing your board with a paddle in hand is a recipe for exhaustion.

2. What to Monitor Before Paddle Boarding

Standup paddle boarding may look effortless but it is important to note that it is a skillful sport that demands awareness of dangers that may arise due to the changing forces of nature.

Wind

The first and most important weather condition to be aware of before paddling out is the wind. Higher wind speeds create choppier waters that are dangerous for inexperienced paddlers.

Continued at:  https://www.islesurfandsup.com/standup-paddle-board-safety/