Why Are So Many People Dying When Stand Up Paddle Boarding?

People are dying when stand up paddling board, with 3 more recent deaths in the USA in June 2016. And there are people regularly having to be rescued. But why? Stand up Paddle boarding (SUP) is an amazing sport, can be conducted on any body of water and it’s easy to do. Sure, you need to learn correct SUP technique

to be a good paddler, and not tire yourself out, and not cause wear and tear on the wrong muscles.

But SUP is not dangerous.

HOWEVER, SUP is conducted in the great outdoors. And that is what people don’t understand. When paddle boarding, we are at the mercy of nature, the weather conditions and water conditions.

And that’s where people need education. They need to understand that conditions can change suddenly. It can be a beautiful sunny day. You are paddling along, having great fun. Suddenly the wind comes up and you can’t paddle back to shore. SUP boards are highly susceptible to wind – they have a nice flat surface on the water and the wind can push you and the SUP board along very fast. Before you know it, you are blown way off shore (either at the ocean or a large inland lake). And worse, you have to paddle against the wind to get back. That is very hard to do.

People need to be educated on what the suitable conditions for paddleboarding are, what signs to look out for in relation to the weather. How to use wind and water conditions to your advantage.

They also need to be educated on what to do if they do get into trouble. Some simple SUP self rescue techniques will stand you in good  stead.

Education is so important. Go to an ASI Accredited Instructor and SUP school, as they are highly qualified, have completed SUP instructor qualifications with stringent conditions and are audited to ensure they and their instructors know about SUP safety. A few lessons with an ASI Instructor could mean the difference between life and death.

SUP is a great sport, very safe and with the right knowledge and respect of nature you can and will enjoy this amazing sport.

ASI (Academy of Surfing Instructors) is the world leader in surfing and SUP training and education. ASI developed the SUP standards for instructors and SUP schools and continues to be - at the forefront of safe SUP education.

Recent deaths in the USA on 15 June 2016 - News Article 
 

Photo: Courtesy of Christian Arballo/Flickr
 

Catering for career instructors and school owners.
International accreditation.
You can work around the world with ASI.