Leading paddleboard firm backs safety campaign after death of man in Cornish estuary
FatStick Boards will now supply ankle leashes AND quick-release waist belts and wants others to follow suit
A leading south-west paddleboard maker is backing our campaign with the best friend of a man who drowned in Cornwall for better safety.
42-year-old Simon Flynn drowned in the Camel Estuary near Rock after his ankle leash got trapped under a boat mooring in strong tidal water.
Best friend Sam Foyle believes Simon - a competent swimmer - would have survived if he had been wearing a quick-release waist belt.
The coroner afterwards said it was an 'issue for manufacturers' that should be looked at.
Sam is campaigning for all boards to come with both types of leash as standard.
FatStick Boards had pledged to take action last year and now supplies both types of leashes, along with information about which situations to wear them in.
Co-owner, Andy Warner, speaks to reporter Andrew Kay about safety changes they have made following Simon's death...
Andy says the average quick-release waist belt costs him £12 to supply as part of the package, which is a 'minimal extra cost' as most boards retail between £300 to £1,500.
In a letter to Sam which praises him for his leash safety campaign, he wrote: "I just wanted to say that I’ve just watched your interview on Greatest Hits Radio, That was a tough watch. I couldn’t begin to imagine what that must have been like at the time.
"I can give you my word that Simon’s death has changed things when it comes to SUP safety.
"As a brand, we have always been involved with our customers journey, it’s more than just a sale. Safety is paramount, and this has always been the way – however, after these events, we will never sell one of our inflatable boards without a free quick release waist belt as standard!"
He added: "When I saw the piece on what happened to Simon, it was shocking. It raised everyone's awareness that something had to be done and be changed.
"I think now SUP safety has taken another level, a big step forward because waist belts are now seen - or should be seen if you're a brand owner - as standard.
"You wouldn't sell a car without seatbelts. You can have the brakes, all the other safety features, the impact bars, air bags, all wonderful. But you wouldn't sell a car without a seat belt and that is a standard piece of equipment. It's the same with a paddleboard.
"You give an ankle leash, you give all the right equipment to go out with but you're not giving a quick-release belt. You could be putting someone at risk".
Paddleboarding is the UK's fastest growing watersport with suggestions up to 100,000 boards are now sold each year in the UK.
The sport's governing body, British Canoeing, has been updating its guidance in light of Simon's death, which some major retailers have already agreed to display.
British Canoeing is also releasing an updated guidance video soon which will then be supplied to affiliate groups and members, along with instructors who run SUP tours, to help educate users.
They say their latest work has already been noted internationally by members abroad,