'Simon’s death has changed things when it comes to SUP safety'
The co-owner of UK-based paddleboard firm FatStick has backed a campaign to prevent people drowning through wearing the wrong type of leash - and is calling on other manufacturers to follow suit.
Simon Flynn, 42, from near Cheltenham, drowned last August in the Camel Estuary in Cornwall - 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'd 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.
Andy Warner, from FatStick, pledged to take action last year after Simon's passing and now supplies both types of leash along with information about which situations to wear them in.
Andy Warner, from FatStick, speaks to reporter Andrew Kay about safety changes they made following the death of Simon Flynn
He 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.
It comes as the sport's governing body British Canoeing has been updating its guidance in light of Simon's death (details here) 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,
Paddleboarding is the UK's fastest growing watersport with suggestions up to 100,000 boards are now sold each year in the UK.
In a letter to Sam which praises him for his leash safety campaign, the FastSticks co-founder wrote: "I just wanted to say that I’ve just watched your interview on Greatest Hits Radio (watch here)
"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!"
In a video interview (see above) 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."
For more about Dorset-based FatStick click here
For more about British Canoeing's updated guidance, click here
For more about Sam's campaign for Simon's legacy click here