"Traditional" paddleboards and PFD'S

[Upright42]

Posted this in reply to sup pfd requirements.
There aren't very many "traditional" paddleboarders in Arkansas but, with the number of lakes and growing popularity of stand up paddling many folks will try and love paddleboards. It's an amazing excercise, 100's of years of use, both recreational and professional. Check out the molokai to oahu race to see what these boards can and have done. Unless there are alternate interpretations it would appear to be OK to say hand paddle a board out for a yoga session without a pfd?

" Traditional" paddleboards and their user are not required to use or have a pfd according to the most recent US COAST guard information available.

That DOESN'T mean you should paddle WITHOUT a pfd and leash for safety.

It's an interesting part of the discussion and the us coast guards interpretation of the law.

Here is a copy.

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)

Where can I find these regs in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)?

Most recreational boating requirements can be found in 33 CFR, between parts 173 and 187.

[Mike S]

Convincing an uninformed Officer of this is another story!