Paddleboard safety campaign in Parliament after holidaymaker drowned in Cornwall
Manufacturers, campaigners and industry groups are coming together for the first time
Last updated 7th Mar 2022
Our campaign in the name of a holidaymaker who drowned in Cornwall is taking a massive step forward, as MPs, industry leaders, water safety groups and campaigners meet to discuss paddleboarding safety in Parliament for the first time.
42-year-old Simon Flynn died after falling off his paddleboard back in August 2020, while out alongside his partner Chia in the Camel Estuary near Rock.
The strong water current took him towards a moored boat and Simon jumped into the sea while still attached to his ankle leash.
The competent swimmer, who did a lot of water sports and surfing, was unable to get free after his leash became entangled and pulled him under the water.
A coroner later declared it an 'issue for manufactures to look at'.
Since then, Pirate FM and Greatest Hits Radio have worked with Simon's best friend Sam Foyle to both improve safety information at the point of sale and for new boards to be sold with both an ankle leash and quick-release waist belt as standard.
Read more: Best mate of man who drowned in Cornwall launches heartfelt safety campaign
After Simon's death, Sam Foyle highlighted a lack of consistency and awareness in the different types of paddleboard leash on offer.
We have worked with Sam to highlight a need for change in the industry and helped arrange today's Parliamentary reception, bringing key industry players to discuss potential solutions.
Since the start of the campaign British Canoeing, which has applied to be the sport's governing body, has released updated guidance to reflect the different types of leashes and when they should be used.
The advice is available for all retailers to display and is also being highlighted through its global network of affiliates and coaches.
Paddleboarding is thought to be the UK's fastest growing sport and world's fastest growing watersport.
Campaigner Sam Foyle is concerned that more people could put themselves in danger if safety messaging is not improved.
Pirate FM and Greatest Hits Radio have obtained provisional figures, ahead of their formal release later this spring, that suggest as sales of boards rise there has been an increase in rescues and RNLI call out.
In 2017 the RNLI - and note the figures relate to coastal incidents as a posed to inland waterways - responded to 30 paddleboard incidents which helped aid 20 people.
In 2020 the number more than doubled to 88 launches, helping 113 people.
By last summer the number of launches was 140, with 169 people aided.
Some industry experts believe 11 people may have lost their lives on a paddleboard in 2021, although the exact figure has not yet been confirmed.
Monday's Parliamentary reception, hosted by Cheltenham MP Alex Chalk who represents Charlton Kings where My Flynn lived, will bring a wide variety of manufacturers together to discuss what joint safety campaign or initiative they could support or help champion.
Manufacturer: "I agree that manufacturers need to take some responsibility when selling their kit as so many boards have flooded the market, and its good to see your campaign to introduce both quick release ankle and waist leashes. As you rightly say that’s only one part of the picture as education and training forms part of that too, the more people understand what equipment to use, where and when to paddle and how water and weather affect your session the better".
Sam Foyle has also studied manufacturer websites and discovered fewer than one in 10 currently highlights leash safety or sells quick-release waist belts as standard. Mr Foyle is concerned that more people could put themselves in danger if safety messaging is not improved ahead of this Summer.
The Port of London has reported several incidents involving paddleboards, with an official update, warning "incidents were serious and could have resulted in fatalities".
They have issued guidance saying: "The Port of London Authority does not endorse the use of ankle or knee leashes on the tidal Thames. The fast-flowing nature of the river and the risk of being caught either side of river infrastructure makes it difficult to release an ankle leash. If wearing a leash, use a quick-release waist leashes as recommended by British Canoeing."
Sam Foyle has also studied manufacturer websites and discovered fewer than one in 10 currently highlights leash safety or sells quick-release waist belts as standard.
Manufacturer: "We have tried different ways of selling boards over the years, and originally preferred to have safety equipment separate to board purchases in order to make it a considered purchase (similar to how some of the bigger brands sell their equipment) but we felt this resulted in too many people not buying leashes or Buoyancy aids. If you feel including a waist leash in with “packs” is the right way to go we are happy to look into this as an option".
What action has already been taken?
FatStick boards has pledged to sell both leash types as standard in future.
Red Paddle Co, the world's largest brand with a global sales reach, has met with campaigner Sam and released a P.L.O.T water safety advice campaign.
The company has told all retail outlets selling its boards to have a safety conversation with customers at the point of sale.
Manufacturer: "We have personally been saddened by the growing number of incidents on the water and it is something that has been spoken about internally for some time, although we have never felt it moral to speak on specific incidents in the public domain we are committed to learning from these tragedies' and ensuring we can make SUP safer going forward".
What advice is there for people buying a paddleboard?
Paul Hyman, founder of London-based paddleboarding company Active360, is supporting Sam's campaign.
What will the Parliamentary event achieve?
While that will be one for the wide-range of groups attending to decide, we have asked companies to update us on the safety steps they're planning for Summer 2022 and beyond.
It is hoped safety campaigns and a form of industry consensus on safety messaging could be developed.