Uh oh i can see we will probably be wearing life jackets all the time soon.

I'm also happy to to tell you that i'm a new proud father of a baby girl born yesterday 6:30amRuby Lee, mum and baby doing well and sister Ella want's put her in her toy pram and take her outside to play already

Over Proud Dad

Champ

How many people would wear a PFD surfing --0--
I dont think we have any worries.
Surfers will not follow the rules and the authorities wont be able to police it.

Interesting topic and I don't think we should say "that surfers won't follow the rules" because in the current climate where we are wanting local councils and the general public to listen to us regarding dredging and sand pumping and other issues we kinda need to appear to be towing the line a little (a little). Rather than say we won't comply we probably should be offering up reasons why we shouldn't have to and perhaps suggesting alternatives.

It would be farsical if the authorities policed the surfing community though when they do nothing about the morons in boats who cross dangerous bars (currumbin for example) without wearing the lifejackets that they are required by law to wear. And then these same boaties have the gall to demand that the bars be dredged and kept safe for them !!!!

Hey, I am all for increasing safety in, on and around the waterways and ocean but we gotta work together and I honestly believe that the days of saying "we're surfers mate and ya's can all just piss off" have long gone. Even if we "aint towing the line" we gotta at least give the perception that we are.

From the USA,

When I'm going around the harbor I was told by the harbor patrol to have a life vest on the craft. They are characterizing the SUP same way as a seakayak. For some reason I haven't seen prone paddleboarders wearing flotation devices.

Obviously I'm wearing it. It hasn't been a hinderance to my paddling. Keeps me from getting too cold after I take a dunk in the Ocean. I don't mind for seems at some point with my open ocean adventures i'll have a miss step and get a knock on my head when in a rogue sea with swells coming from multiple directions.

T

If it happens - which I doubt - I hope it doesn't affect boards over 11'6. If there is a sign that it's going to apply to all stand up paddle boards then I'll get myself an oversised mal and paddle that while waiting for the authorities to enforce surfers to wear them.

I think this paragraph will preclude surfers from having to wear a PFD:

Based upon the information available, the USCG determined when beyond the narrow limits of swimming, surfing or bathing area, the device known as a "paddleboard" is a vessel under 46 U.S.C.&2101, and therefore subject to applicable regulations administered by the US Coast Guard and its Office of Auxiliary and Boating Safety, unless specifically exempted.

I can only assume that this will apply to SUP surfing as well, as by their own admission a "paddleboard" doesn't become a vessel until it leaves a swimming, surfing or bathing area. I guess this will make the rule only apply to people that are way offshore.

Seeing as there is no rule in Australia that requires Windsurfers or Kitesurfers to wear PFD's I can't see that this will ever be an issue here, actually after a very quick google, it seems PWC operators in QLD are not even required to wear a PFD (http://www.msq.qld.gov.au/resources/file/ebc1130cce3ad8f/Pdf_rec_safety_equipment.pdf). So I really can't see anyone forcing a SUP rider to wear a PFD.

But when all said and done, do what feels safe to you. Not much point in worrying about what are rules or not when you are 5k off shore with no way to get home.

Hey Just Wrong,

You left out an anchor. I remember reading you need to carry an anchor as well in WA if are more than 400m offshore. Here's a post from a previous thread about the same topic.

WINDY MILLER said...

as mentioned in earlier posts,, in WA if your supping 400m from the coastline u need a

pfd type 1
4 flares
and a friggin anchor

what a joke...


or none of the above if you are accompanied by a safety vessell.

oliver said...

Hey Just Wrong,

You left out an anchor. I remember reading you need to carry an anchor as well in WA if are more than 400m offshore. Here's a post from a previous thread about the same topic.

WINDY MILLER said...

as mentioned in earlier posts,, in WA if your supping 400m from the coastline u need a

pfd type 1
4 flares
and a friggin anchor

what a joke...


or none of the above if you are accompanied by a safety vessell.

Damn it Olly, what with the PFD, Flares, Nav lights and anchor I'm gonna have to thicken up the Penetrator. What if you are operating your vessel in constricted, fog prone, waterways? A pilot and foghorn as well? I'm sorry but from now on anyone wishing to order one of our Downwind Sups will be required to show a current Master Mariners certificate!!!..........

This was officially recognized by the US Coast Guard on October 3, 2008:

A Paddleboard is considered a Vessel

All applicalbe laws and regulations will apply to the use of a 'stand up paddleboard/paddleboard' that pertain to vessels under the U.S.C.G, such as wearing the appropriate USCG approved 'type' of lifejacket persuant to the waterway being operated under, and not limited to other regulations. The Chief of Boating Safety for the U.S.C.G. has officially recognized a paddleboard as a vessel.

These laws will apply to enforcement of the boating safety regulations for paddleboard specific use. The USCG considers a "paddleboard" to be a vessel upon research and the criteria used and guidance provided in previous legal opinions regarding whether or not it is specified as a vessel under 1 U.S.C.&3. Based upon the information available, the USCG determined when beyond the narrow limits of swimming, surfing or bathing area, the device known as a "paddleboard" is a vessel under 46 U.S.C.&2101, and therefore subject to applicable regulations administered by the US Coast Guard and its Office of Auxiliary and Boating Safety, unless specifically exempted.

PARAMETERS FOR DETERMINING WHETHER A 'PADDLEBOARD" IS A VESSEL

(1) Whether the watercraft is "practically capable" of carrying persons or property beyond the narrow limits of a swimming, surfing or bathing area:

A paddleboard is "practically capable' of and intended to be used as a watersport activity beyond the narrow limits of a swimming, surfing, or bathing area. It combines traits of surfing and canoeing. In Paddleboarding, a person stands on a large board which is stable enough to support a person while they paddle the device using a paddle in a manner similar to operating a canoe.

Paddleboard manufacturers depict this activity as multi-use, ranging from use as a 'paddling' activity on inland waterways to a form of 'surfing' in the ocean. For novice and the less thrill-seeking, using the craft to simply enjoy time on the water is becoming more popular.

(2) Whether the useful operating range of the device is limited by the physical endurance of its operator:

The operator of a paddleboard manually propels the craft through the use of a paddle. To a large extend the operating range is limited to the physical endurance of the operator, although because of its stability, the paddleboard could easily drift with the wind and water current. This potential physical endurance limitation is similar to that impacting sailboarding, canoeing, kayaking and other boating activities requiring high levels of physical capability.

(3) Whether the device presents a substantial hazard to navigation or safety not already present:

Paddleboard maneuvered across a waterway to locations where other larger and faster craft travel present a substantial hazard to navigation or safety not already present. Paddleboards are not as powerful or maneuverable as larger craft and they are not as visible. The paddleboard user faces a similar hazard as other users of sailboards and canoeists/kayakers.

There are paddleboarding competitions in coastal areas and organized paddleboard excursions on inland waterways. Paddleboard 'trails' have also been established, including one on the Deschutes River in Oregon that is 60 miles long.

(4) Whether the normal objectives sought to be accomplished by the regulation of a device as a 'vessel' are present:

As a potential hazard to navigation or safety, regulation of paddleboards as vessels would meet the normal objectives sought to be accomplished by the National Recreational Boating Safety Program.

(5) Whether the operator and/or cargo would no longer be safe in the water if the device became disabled.

Paddleboards would provide a minimal level of safety to operators if they became disabled. Thus, the operator may no longer be safe in the water if the operator of the device became fatigued or disabled, or if the device itself became disabled.

Conclusion.

1 U.S.C.&3 states that "The word 'vessel' includes every description of watercraft or other artificial contrivance used, or capable of being used, as a means of transportation on water." Given the answers to the questions above and the definition of the word "Vessel" in the US Code, when utilized beyond the narrow limits of a swimming, surfing, or bathing area, a paddleboard is a vessel subject to regulations administered by the U.S. Coast Guard.

DavidJohn said...

This was officially recognized by the US Coast Guard on October 3, 2008:

Who gives a toss what the Seppos officially recognize
We are in Australia

Check out the comments on the bottom of this page, interesting stuff....

supglobal.com/stand-up-paddle-surfing-news/us-coast-guard-considers-sups-a-paddleboards-vessels/

Do you guys have a national org for SUP yet ? We do in the UK, I am pretty sure they don't in the US...