Stand Up Paddling Safety

Being able to swim is critical for stand up paddling. You will definitely fall into the water as you learn to stand up paddle, so you must be able to tread water and swim back to your board.    

Choose a SUP location with flat water. Rivers and lakes are ideal. Know the location and its associated hazards. Stay away from boats, moorings, submerged tree branches or anything that you could fall onto.   

Only go out in still, slow moving water. Flowing water makes it difficult to paddle and can carry you far away. You can become tired quickly if you have to paddle against flowing water.

At the ocean, if you are new to paddling, do not go on the waves. It is very dangerous and only for experienced paddlers. Stay in flat calm waters. 

Don’t paddle out if it’s windy. Wind can easily blow you far away from your starting location.  And it is very difficult to paddle against the wind. You will soon tire yourself out and can put yourself in danger.

Winds can also blow you “offshore”.  Which means the wind is blowing from the land and out to sea or away from the coast. Do not go into waters where the wind is blowing offshore.

Check weather conditions before you go out. The wind could change from one second to the other and you will struggle getting back to your starting location.  

Do not paddle through a river mouth. This is where a river goes out to the sea. The currents at river mouths are very dangerous, you can be pushed onto hazards and held underwater.

Stay at least 200 metres away from a river mouth at all times.   

Tides flow in and out and this means the water can flow very, very fast. Tides change twice a day and at different times. Be aware of tides and flow in estuaries and bodies of water opening out to the ocean.  You can be pushed on objects like boat moorings and be held underwater.

Some waterways have weirs, often when the water level drops to another level. Stay away from weirs, they can be dangerous as you can get held underwater by the back flow or suffer injury from the drop.

At least 200 metres from the weir, portage your board. This means get out of the water, 200 meters from a weir, then at the other end, enter the water 200 metres downstream from the weir.

You can travel quite fast whilst paddling and before you know it, you can be a long way from the shore.  

If you tire out, you can put yourself in danger by not being able to paddle to shore.

Be constantly checking your position in the water so you stay close to the shore. Change direction regularly to make sure you are close.

If hazards are close by, or you are feeling unsteady, paddle on your knees or on your bum. This lowers your centre of balance and you have less risk of falling off and colliding into the hazards.

Whilst out on the water, have constant awareness, watch out for other water crafts such as jetskis, boats, other water users, and boat moorings. Stay away from them to avoid collisions.

Always be aware of the weather, wind, and water conditions – be alert at all times.

Only rent or hire SUP boards if you are experienced and know the local location.  

There are many locations not suitable for paddling and can have hidden dangers.  

Weather conditions can also be unpredictable in some locations.  

Only rent or hire boards from an ASI accredited SUP School – they will give you safe paddling locations and proper weather information, suitable and safe equipment.

Your leash is your lifeline. It attaches to your ankle and the board. Wear it at all times. SUP boards travel very easily and fast over the water. If you fall off your SUP board, it could mean a long swim to retrieve your board. If you have your leash on, your board will stay close to you.

Use a coiled leash only, so it does not drag on the water and risk becoming entangled with weeds or branches. The leash can be fixed to your waist with a waist belt or to your ankle or knee.

Stay well away from water hazards such as boat moorings and other water obstructions, so your leash doesn’t get caught on them and hold you underwater.

Know how to use the quick release on your leash. This is how to remove your leash in case of an emergency.

If you have poor swimming skills or are frightened of the water, it is recommended you wear a buoyancy aid, AND you should only paddle in calm waters, not deep water but at least 3ft to minimise injury if you fall in, and where the banks are close by on either side, narrow waterways.

Experienced paddlers, who rarely fall off their board and are good swimmers generally do not wear a buoyancy aid.

Laws in some countries require you to wear a buoyancy aid, other countries do not require it.

Remember, wearing a buoyancy aid can hinder you getting back onto your board, due to its thickness.

If in doubt, go paddling with an ASI Accredited SUP School.

Go out with a paddling buddy. It is always good to have someone there to help you out if you need it.  

Take a mobile phone with you.  Use special waterproof pouches.

If you are experienced and paddling longer distances, alert friends of your return time and/or the maritime authorities as applicable.

If you get into trouble in the water, stay with your SUP board. The SUP board is like a boat. Can also keep you out of the cold water (immersion in cold water can cause hypothermia which can be deadly).     

You are at the mercy of Mother Nature. Whilst you may feel safe on top of your paddle board, knowing more about all aspects of SUP activities is critical to SUP safely.  Once mastered, you can enjoy the amazing benefits of stand up paddling. 

Take some stand up paddle lessons at ASI accredited SUP Schools with qualified ASI instructors, and learn about water and weather conditions so you understand what safe and unsafe conditions are.  

Learn about your own paddle skills and your limitations so that you know the conditions and locations you can paddle in.

Learn what you should do if you are in an emergency situation – self rescue skills and possibly how to rescue others. Be prepared at all times!

Where to Learn

Learn to paddle with safety at ASI Accredited SUP Schools. They try sessions, SUP Wise Activ and Certificate courses. Safe paddling conditions, equipment provided with lessons, tours and social activities.

Find ASI Accredited SUP Schools near you.

Or enrol in the ASI SUP Wise Intensiv online course and gain your ASI SUP Paddlers card- with loads of videos and information to help perfect your SUP safety and skills.