PLOT - 4 Tips To Safe Paddle Boarding

With more and more people trying paddle boarding for the first time, we are here to help increase awareness and knowledge of SUP safety. When paddling on rivers and estuaries there are some specific considerations that you need to take into account (in comparison to on a beach).

Before you go out on the water we have four basic safety factors to keep you safe. Let us introduce you to P.L.O.T.

P is for Personal Flotation Device
L is for Leash
O is for Obstructions on the water
T is for Telephone

These 4 factors form the minimum safety precautions we recommend all paddleboarders take.

Before going paddling on flowing water like tidal estuaries or rivers it’s important to plot your paddle.

P stands for pfd. This 50 newton buoyancy aid is ideal.

L stands for leash and when paddling on flowing water a quick release waist belt leash allows you to detach from your board in an emergency

O stands for obstruction. Stay at least two board lengths away from moored boats, buoys, bridge pillars and other such obstructions

T stands for telephone. Put it in a water resistant phone case place it inside your buoyancy aid so you have it for emergencies.

Always let someone know where you’re going, what time you’re going to be back and what to do if you’re not back. If you’re going to be late let them know so they don’t raise the alarm unnecessarily.

Following those four key steps should keep you safe but there is no substitute to training have fun stay safe. See you on the water!