Paddleboarding safety messages highlighted as Summer holidays begin in earnest
The paddleboard industry is today coming together to share safety messages - as the RNLI say calls out about them have risen by 132 per cent in a year.
Last updated 25th Jul 2022
Paddleboarding superstars, influencers and manufacturers will today issue their first ever joint safety message - thanks to our campaign
As the summer holidays get into full swing, the British paddleboard industry is today trying to reach those new to the sport to help them get more from the experience - and not get into difficulty.
The move is backed by the family and friends of Emma Louise Powell who died earlier this month in North Wales, and Simon Flynn who drowned in Cornwall's Camel Estuary in August 2020.
Emma's brother-in-law Michael Tasker says he's determined to see changes, and today praised the industry for trying to raise awareness about the potential dangers
Paddleboarding is the UK's fastest growing sport, and unlike surfing - where you need a lesson before being able to head out and enjoy the activity - people can blow up a board and venture straight into the water.
In March we brought the British paddleboarding industry together in Parliament in a world first - to talk with MPs - and see what joint safety messaging and changes could be agreed.
Last week a follow up summit was held at the RNLI's headquarters in Poole, which resulted in those attending agreeing to share a message on UN World Drowning Prevention Day.
Messages being shared today include the PLOT campaign and Supboarder magazine's SUP Safer series, advice from the Above Water charity and information from bloggers Plus Size Paddler and SupJunkie
The RNLI and British Canoeing, which is in the process of applying to be the sport's governing body, has already written to non-traditional watersport retailers urging them to improve safety information at the point of sale.
Earlier this month Emma Louise Powell, 24, lost her life at Conwy Morfa - while two others were rescued on paddleboards - and her family say they now want to improve safety messaging.
A separate investigation is underway into four deaths in Haverfordwest in 2021.
In August 2020, competent swimmer Simon Flynn, 42, from near Cheltenham, drowned in Cornwall's Camel Estuary when his paddleboard ankle leash got trapped in a boat mooring, which afterwards a coroner said was an issue for manufacturers to look at
Since then we've worked with Simon's best friend Sam Foyle to see what changes could be agreed.
Paddleboarding is the UK's fastest growing sport and the world's biggest SUP brand RED has backed our campaign.
British Canoeing, which has applied to be recognised as the sports governing body, last year updated its safety advice and released a new video to combat internet misinformation.
The SUP brand Fatstick agrees to sell two types of leash as standard, after Simon's death.
Paddleboarding superstar, water safety campaigner and and now multiple world record holder Brendon Prince, has backed our campaign
For more about the campaign in Simon Flynn's name click here