SUP/PFD min requirements

[Mike S]

Now the context...a group of people on SUP's in flat water for the purpose of fitness. I'm unclear of what's required! Any help would be great or a resource that addresses this would be great!

[RobM]

Hey Mike, I don't understand what your wanting to know about sup fitness . Is it a group your talking about ?

[Mike S]

Got it I think

This new classification means that SUP users --when outside surf or swim zones or bathing areas -- are required to carry a lifejacket, or Personal Floatation Device (PFD), a whistle and, if out after dark, a flashlight to give fair warning to other boaters that they're in the area.

My original question was posed because I was unclear if participants involved in a SUPYO class actually have to have a whistle and PFD on-board. Somehow I thought in this instance the leash alone would work.

[Upright42]

Hey Mike...good question. The answer is"traditional" paddleboard users are NOT required to wear or carry a PFD. The sole distinction isn't the board, but how it's paddled. Any board paddled with your hands is not subject to the PFD law. Basically if you are using a sup (stand up paddleboard) with a paddle you must carry a pfd. If the paddleboard is hand paddled ( prone or kneeling) no pfd is required.

Here is a copy of their memo concerning pfd's and "traditional" paddleboards

Stand-Up Paddleboard (SUP) FAQs
U.S. Coast Guard
Revised, July 2011

What about “traditional” paddleboards that don't use a paddle but are powered by hand,
kneeling or lying down like on a surfboard?

“Traditional” paddleboards have been around for about 100 years. This style of paddleboard is
typically long, pointed, and does NOT use a paddle. The operator “paddles” with his/her hands like on
a surfboard. These were not considered in the Coast Guard's “vessel” determination, which said, “The
sport involves a person standing on a board, similar to a surfboard and propelling themselves through
the use of a paddle.” Even if a traditional paddleboard had been classified as a “vessel” it would be
exempt from lifejacket carriage requirements because it is powered by hand rather than “by machinery,
sails, oars, paddles, poles, or another vessel.” (33 CFR 175.11)

[Mike S]

Thanks for the info!!