British Canoeing has joined up with other key industry stakeholders to develop key safety messages for stand up paddleboarding.

Over the last few years, popularity and participation in stand up paddleboarding (SUP) both inland and at the coast has increased significantly and more and more people are purchasing their own paddleboards. There has, however, been a dramatic rise in the number of stand up paddleboarding incidents. In 2022, RNLI lifeguards saw a staggering 155% rise in paddleboarding incidents compared with 2021.

And so, the RNLI has brought together expert training agencies and National Governing Bodies (NGBs)* to develop four key safety messages to help people to paddleboard safely. 

The four key safety messages are: 

• Wear a buoyancy aid
• Carry a phone in a waterproof pouch
• Wear the correct leash
• Avoid offshore winds

This collaborative approach is a great step towards providing clear and consistent safety messaging especially for those new to SUP. It follows the support British Canoeing is providing to major UK retailers to increase their provision of safety guidance for stand up paddleboards, purchased in store and online.