I don't but I don't go in club events/comps either (where they are usually required).

I go downwinding solo most times and have been thinking a bit about safety equipment and what events would lead to me me having to use a pfd. Here's a few scenarios:

1. flip over and get on the head by the board - unconscious. Only thing of use here is a pre-inflated or automatic type 1 (or whatever they're called these days).
2. leash snaps and board blows away - left floundering in the open ocean. Any pfd here would be a good thing as long as you could reasonably swim in it as well.
3. get cleaned up by a few big waves on the paddle out and get blown into the headland cliffs. Personally, I'd rather not have a pfd in this situation.
4. get sick of falling off the whole time, so deciding it would be more enjoyable just to float along in the water. PFD would be just the ticket.

I'll probably get a bumbag inflatable one soon, which I think will the ducks nuts for scenario 4.

NSW is interesting... canoes and kayaks and kiteboarders are covered, but standup paddle only has this. It seems to be a very hard page to find, so I thought I'd get a clip before they took it down...



maritimemanagement.transport.nsw.gov.au/lifejackets/index.html

Stephenseals said..

foamballer said..
3. get cleaned up by a few big waves on the paddle out and get blown into the headland cliffs. Personally, I'd rather not have a pfd in this situation.

Scenario 3 looks pretty bad

I had one near miss like that... cross wind paddle to get out around a headland before the downwind run. I was at least 500m out behind the surf and still heading out but a wave just seem to break out in mid ocean and really chewed me over. When I finally got back on the board I was a lot closer to the rocks than I wanted to be given the wind strength and direction. All ended well with a bit of adrenaline fueled paddling, but something to be wary of.
Starting with the wind behind you instead of side-on is so much easier and safer.
Always plan your exit too - considering the size of the surf and tides you may encounter.