Do I Need A Lifejacket When Paddle Boarding?
Please note the information in this blog focuses on the Australian states of NSW and Victoria and was accurate at the time of publishing. However, laws change regularly so always check the latest lifejacket laws and recommendations provided by your local Maritime or Water Authority prior to paddling.
One of the questions I get asked quite often is ‘Do I have to wear a lifejacket when paddle boarding?’ It’s a valid question, as it’s not always easy to get a clear answer because the answer depends on a couple of factors.
Firstly, your location.
In Australia, lifejacket laws differ from state to state. Currently, paddlers in New South Wales do not need to wear a lifejacket while stand-up paddle boarding.
According to NSW Maritime, lifejackets are to be worn at all times on many vessels including kayaks and canoes, however, stand-up paddle boards are not seen as a vessel. When I spoke to Maritime earlier this year, they told me they categorise stand-up paddle boards in the same category as surf boards, and you’d never ask a surfer to wear a lifejacket. This is because when conducting a self-rescue on a paddle board, a full-body life jacket could interfere when you’re trying to climb back on the board.
The same goes for the state of Victoria which declares “a person operating a stand-up paddle board, kiteboard or sailboard no more than 400m from the shore, is not required to wear a lifejacket.”
While lifejackets are not legally required in many circumstances (such as in these two states), there may be times you may consider wearing one. Such as;
Paddling in exposed water/ coastal water locations over 400m from the shore.
If you or any member of your party are not strong swimmers (especially children and animals).
Paddling in rough, exposed water conditions
Paddling overseas - countries like the UK have very different lifejacket laws, so always check before you paddle.
If I want/need to wear a lifejacket, what’s the best option for SUP?
Many brands in the market, such as Red Paddle Co, have started bringing out PFD belts. (PFD stands for Personal Floatation Device). The PFD belts work in a similar way to lifejackets you get on an aeroplane. The belts fasten around your waist (see photo below), with the PFD deflated and folded up within the belt while you’re paddling. In an emergency situation, you remove the PFD out of the belt, place over your head and pull the toggle to inflate. I personally love wearing my PFD belt because I know I have a lifejacket on me in case of emergency, but it doesn’t interfere with my paddling technique or self-rescue.
Vikki wearing Red Paddle Co PFD Belt
Red Paddle Co’s AIRBELT PERSONAL FLOTATION DEVICE (PFD)
This PFD is suitable for people 40-130kgs. Other brands also available.
Leashes save lives
While we may not wear a lifejacket, an absolute must for all stand-up paddle boarders is to wear a leash/ leg rope. If you were to fall off your paddle board, your board can dart off, with a potential long swim to retrieve it. If there is a strong wind or current, the board will be blown away even faster and further. When wearing a leash, if you fall off, you still have your board beside you so you can climb back on to continue paddling, or climb back on and await help.
I will be writing another blog in the coming weeks about leash safety so stay tuned for more info…
Helpful links and info:
As mentioned, laws and regulations change state to state, country to country so always check with the local Maritime or Water Authority before paddling in a new location that you’re not familiar with. This blog has focused its attention on Victoria and New South Wales due to this being She SUPs’ main audience, but similar rules may apply in other Australian states.
By Vikki Weston.
Vikki is the founder of She SUPs and an ASI Level 2 SUP Instructor.