30 posts
Apologies if this is covered elsewhere, I've done some searching but not found any other threads specifically about it. The ugly issue of compulsory PFD wearing is starting to appear over here in NZ, one or two extra-zealous harbourmasters are choosing to interpret the ruling for kayakers as applying to us as well.
I'm hoping, as your SUP scene in Australia is many years ahead of ours here in NZ, there might be some protocol or test cases or whatever that someone can refer me to? Has it been made compulsory anywhere in Oz, or has the attempt to make it compulsory been made - have you had this fight yet, and what was the outcome? We'll argue of course that leashes are the way to go - if you're tethered to 100L+ of buoyancy then you're pretty damn safe.
Any steers very much appreciated!
VIC
1701 posts
As far as I'm aware sup is simply an extension of surfing and therefore does not require the wearing of pfd here in victoria. marine safety victoria talks about the wearing of pfd's on windsurfers, canoes, kayaks and boats. while windsurfing in surf is exempt due to the need of diving under waves. It also talks about the distance from shore and if you wear a 2mm thick wetsuit you are also exempt on a windsurfer. Nothing as yet specifically for sup.
check your marine safety website as sometimes over zealous agencies use bluff.
QLD
297 posts
Hi Billy D,
ASI (Academy of Surfing Instructors) went into battle with Maritime NSW over this issue late in 2009. Maritime NSW wanted to make all SUP riders in schools or on hire boards wear a pfd (and they also wanted the schools to pay annual licensing fees for each 'vessel').
A number of meetings were held between the two organisations and Maritime NSW were finally convinced that SUP's are surfboards not 'vessels'. No licensing and no PFDs.
Leashes are definitely the way to go, especially in surf where you need to be able to dive under!
Good Luck in NZ
Mel
