SUP SAFE - Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs) / A MUST WATCH

[@HandyCapito]

As an experienced Windsurfer who raided waves in Australia, South Africa, Hawaii and many other places, with no PFD, Helmet or leash, just a Néoprène shorty, I decided to paddle on a iSup the very calm Geneva lake in spring . Self confident I didn’t wear any PFD, any neoprene suit, not even a leash, just a swimsuit. Suddenly I felt in the water, which was very cold because in Spring the water comes from the melted snow in the nearby mountains. The board was pushed away a few meters of me, so I have to swim and when I reached the board, it was surprisingly slippery and after a few attempts to climb on , I was totally frozen and unable to climb, with my finger I grabbed the hook for the leash and thought: I will die here, very stupidly at 100 meters from the shore. My chance was a guy on a motor boat I called with the last energy remaining. He came very slowly to see what’s the matter? And every second passing so slowly I could repeat to myself: no more without wetsuit and PFD.

[@SUPboardermag]

Hi Fabio. Wow, thanks for sharing your experience. We recently heard a brilliant piece of advice and that was to always dress for the water temperature wherever we paddle. So true. Glad you are ok. Thanks again, Beau

[@HD46409]

I know it's covered in the video but for the love of your teeth and not having to have extensive plastic surgery, DON'T WEAR A PFD IN THE SURF LINE!!! (or at least not an inflated one). A couple years ago there were 3 members of a family messing around with an SUP in white water of relatively light surf and I saw that they all had PFDs on. It was small enough day that I paddled up to near them and said that if they wanted to play with the board in the surf, they should probably ditch their PFDs. The late teen kid said to me, with the kind of confidence that comes with knowing very little, "That's not true. We are supposed to wear PFDs. It's a Coast Guard rule." I resisted the sarcastic response about having spent 40 years surfing, but what do I know..., and decided the Socratic approach was better and said to him "If my board gets between me and a breaking wave, I'm going to dive under-water and let the board pass over me. What are you going to do?" As all of the family members started visualizing a 10+ foot e-glass board smashing into their faces while they were trapped above water by their PFDs, I paddled away with the parting comment of "Have a good day and be safe and, oh by the way, there is an exception to the Coast Guard PFD rule in the surf zone."

[@SUPboardermag]

Well said and great speaking from experience.

[@chrisb5839]

I'm not a confident swimmer so I have to wear a PFD. If paddling an isup there is always the chance of it deflating away from shore so without a PFD someone could get into real trouble.

[@HD46409]

@@chrisb5839 That's not a problem, but you don't belong in the surf zone.

[@srappywoo]

Helpful, thank you

[@SUPboardermag]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jobhiojkp]

I find a wetsuit makes the best PFD, as it distributes the buoyancy all the way around your body, not just at the neck, and you just float so comfortably, like an otter.

[@SUPboardermag]

Wetsuits do add some buoyancy and might be enough if you are a confident swimmer. A PFD will help those with less confidence or want an extra layer of security if they fall. Thanks for the comment. Beau

[@sport5607]

i’m not really confident in swimming but i’m going like kayaking with friends and they give you wetsuit and buyoncy aid would i be okay i’m afraid i’ll go under water with it

[@SUPboardermag]

The PFD's will keep you floating. Good luck and have fun!

[@freakishchick182]

Great video. Very informative and well demonstrated..thank you for sharing.

[@SUPboardermag]

Glad you liked the video. Thanks, Beau

[@chriseburke7692]

Wondering if I can please have the details of the life vest at 1.17 min? Which brand is it? Thanks in advance

[@jamesormes7991]

Palm Meander Halequin Buoyancy Aid, Spinlock Alto waist pack (looks like a rubber ring inflated around your waist) & Palm Glide Waist pack, inflates to a 100N life jacket that you place over your head whilst in the water. All 3 PFD's must be worn by Good Swimmers Only, they are Not inherent life jackets, therefor Unsuitable for Non or Weak Swimmers.

[@SUPboardermag]

Thanks @@jamesormes7991 😀

[@SUPboardermag]

I think James has the answer covered

[@enidburgos1430]

Where can we buy Calms PFD in the USA?

[@SUPboardermag]

We'd recommend getting in contact with Palm Equipment. Or try kayak shops as they tend to stock lots of this gear. Good luck! Beau

[@timphillips9954]

Simple choice here, nothing if you are totally confident in the water or a life jacket. In my opinion the rest simply don't work in all situations.

[@SUPboardermag]

Thanks for the comment. Cheers, Beau