From an NZ Newspaper:
Looks like legislation accidently included SUP's as vessels...
A stoush is brewing between stand-up paddle boarders and veteran Queenstown harbourmaster Marty Black, who plans to fine paddlers who refuse to wear lifejackets.
The sport is based on an ancient Hawaiian method of surfing. Paddlers stand on a large fibreglass board and use a paddle to propel themselves through the water. It is widely recognised as one of the world's fastest growing sports.
Mr Black said it was only a matter of time before a Wakatipu paddler without a lifejacket was slapped with a $300 fine.
Communication between the stand-up paddling community, Mr Black and Maritime New Zealand had led to a paddleboard being classed as a vessel under 6m, Mr Black said.
Paddleboarding therefore came under a Queenstown Lakes District Council bylaw stipulating a lifejacket be worn at all times by anyone on such a vessel, or they would face a $300 fine.
"Whether a leash attaching the paddler to the board was an adequate precaution was put forward, but at the end of the day carrying a personal flotation device is mandatory in all parts of the country, and stand-up paddlers in the Wakatipu are no different."
However, Queenstown's stand-up paddlers are not buying it.
Paul van der Kaag yesterday said grey areas over whether boards were classed as vessels or craft similar to a surfboard had not been clarified.
"Paddleboards were not on their radar when this legislation was formed," he said.
"I can take my board into surf in Riverton – which is way more dangerous than the lake – but then it's classed as a swimming activity. Yet in the lake they're classed them as a small vessel. The board doesn't change but the view on them does."
There had been meetings between Mr Black and stand-up paddlers and also confrontations, Mr van der Kaag said.
"We're saying all paddlers should wear a leash, and are getting lawyers to look at the legislation. We're not going out of our way to upset Marty, but we want to be able to go on the lake for a paddle on a clear day without wearing lifejackets.
"When we're riding waves a front blows up we wear lifejackets, leashes and full wetsuits, but we don't want to be dictated to by a nanny state that wants to wrap everyone up in cotton-wool in case they might get hurt.
Any fine issued would be legally challenged, he said.
Source:
www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/news/4829783/Boarders-vow-to-fight-jacket-rules
