Simon's Legacy campaign reaches Parliament
SUP manufacturers, campaigners and industry groups will today make history by coming together to talk safety
Last updated 13th May 2022
Our campaign - in Simon Flynn's name - today takes a major step forward as for the first time MPs, industry leaders, water safety groups and campaigners will discuss paddleboarding safety in Parliament.
Mr Flynn, 42, drowned in Cornwall's Camel Estuary on August 31st in 2020 after his ankle leash got trapped underneath a boat mooring and he was unable to free himself because of the power of the moving tidal water.
A coroner later declared it an 'issue for manufactures to look at' and Hits Radio has 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.
After Simon's death, Sam Foyle highlighted a lack of consistency - and awareness - in the different types of paddleboard leash on offer.
We've worked with Simon 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 updated its guidance following Simon's death to reflect the different types of leashes and when they should be used.
The updated advice is available for all retailers to display and is also being highlighted through its global network of affiliates and coaches.
Today'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.
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.
Hits Radio has obtained provisional figures - ahead of their formal release later this Spring- that suggest as sales of boards rise there's 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 this summer the number of launches was 140, with 169 people aided.
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"
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.
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.
Hits Radio has obtained figures - which are not due to be released for a couple of months - that suggest as sales of boards rise there's been an increase in rescues and RNLI call outs.
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 2021 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.
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"
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've 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.
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 boss of the world's best known paddleboard maker has told all retail outlets selling his boards to have a safety conversation with customers at the point of sale
What advice is there for people buying a paddleboard?
Paul Hyman, founder of London-based paddleboarding company Active360, is supporting Sam's campaign
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 will the Parliamentary event achieve?
While that will be one for the wide-range of groups attending to decide, we've 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.