Retailers urged to sell more safety equipment with their paddleboards
Tesco says it 'continually reviews new developments'
Last updated 25th Aug 2023
This weekend marks three years since Cheltenham paddleboarder Simon Flynn drowned in Cornwall's Camel Estuary - and his best friend is urging major retailers to do more.
Paddleboarding is the UK's fastest growing sport and the RNLI is rescuing more and more people on them - with the latest fatality just a couple of weeks ago.
Since Sam Foyle started campaigning after Simon's death in 2020, there's now a new joint governing body recognised for the sport to lead on safety and development and major retailers, including Tesco, supply updated safety information with new boards.
Ahead of this bank Holiday weekend Sam has joined with board-maker FatStick, which supplies quick-release waist belts as standard, to call on mass market retailers to sell or provide the different types of safety leashes - not just tell people about them on the box
Sam said: "Paddleboards are still being sold by the mass market retailers with ankle leashes only, and they haven't been providing the quick-release waist belts.
"I find it a real concern and I've been really surprised that they haven't moved to that yet - as it causes all sorts of safety concerns with ankle leash entrapment.
"The support from the likes of FatStick and others to provide quick-release belts at affordable prices for them - and pushing that agenda with them - is hugely beneficial.
"I really hope that these mass market retailers can see the reasons behind it, and it brings change. We've seen now unfortunately a number of incidents and fatalities., obviously Simon horrifically being one of those, and the change is much needed."
A spokesperson for Tesco has confirmed to Greatest Hits Radio that they 'continually review new developments' and also highlighted their ongoing partnership with the new sports governing body saying they are 'working on options for our paddleboarding range'.
In February Tesco confirmed that it would update the way it sold paddleboards, following concerns by a coroner after the death of Emma Louise Powell
The 24 year old drowned within hours of buying a new board from Tesco at Conwy Morfa in North Wales in July 2022. Coroner John Gittins afterwards wrote to the retailer to express concerns after her inquest revealed she'd sat and read all supplied information - along with her mum - before heading out and running straight into difficulty. Tesco now provides safety information with all new boards, created by the new joint governing body for the sport.
What happened to Simon Flynn and why was the campaign started in his name?
Simon Flynn, 42, a tutor from near Cheltenham, died on a 'perfect Summer's Day' after falling off his paddleboard in August 2020 near Rock in Cornwall's Camel Estuary. 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 the leash became entangled and pulled him under the water. A coroner afterwards said it was an 'issue for manufacturers' that should be looked at.
Where can I find advice for buying or using a paddleboard?
Click here for a wide range of advice and articles about paddleboarding from the new joint governing body, which is a partnership between British Canoeing and Surf England