Arkansas Canoe Club Forums

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!

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

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.

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)

Thanks for the info!!