Washington, DC, January, 2011
The Coast Guard respnds:
Dear Sir,
Thank you for your inquiry requesting clarification on the Coast Guard's determination that a paddleboard is a vessel. Specifically, our determination was that a paddleboard is a vessel when used "beyond the larrow limits of a swimming, surfing or bathing area." If a paddleboard is used within a designated "swimming, surfing or bathing area," the Coast Guard does not consider it to be a vessel.
I hope this response clarifies the issue and assists you in your work with state and local governments. If you have any further questions on the paddleboard issue, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely
Jeffrey N. Hoedl
Chief, Boating Safety Division
Office of Auxiliary & Boating Safety
Orange County, CA, July, 2009
In July of 2009 a local Orange County paddle surfer and attorney was evicted from his own local break because he was using a paddle to surf. This BAN on paddle surfing was a first - and has ended up impacting world-class breaks at Salt Creek / The Strand, Doheny and San Onofre.
Here is his accounting of the experience and a summary of the compromise Achievement he worked out pending further action:
"Man I was freaking pissed! Imagine being thrown off your long-standing local break just because you use a paddle! BANNED!!! I had just encountered the world's first BAN on paddle surfing..."
"I was absolutely amazed that such a scenario could ever take place, but there I was, being told that I was no longer able to use my SUP...so I channeled my anger and frustration into activism and kicked off a challenge to this BAN on paddle surfing!"
"First I drafted a letter to the Orange County Parks District Supervisor making my intentions quite clear. You'll get the picture if you have a couple of minutes to READ MY LETTER!"
"After a few phone calls, a personal meeting with the County Attorney, and me dropping off a copy of Standup Journal to Leslie Ray (so she could more fully understand the sport), Ms. Ray suggested a user group meeting at U.S. Ocean Safety in Dana Point."
"The meeting was attended by many SUP advocates, the head lifeguard in the area Jason Young (super cool guy and really stylish surfer), the owner of US Ocean Safety, the OC Parks lady (Ms. Ray), Chuck Patterson, Mike Muir, Lance Erickson, my buddy Mike from HB and many other folks whose names I forget but who nevertheless showed up to lend support (and whose support I deeply appreciate)"
"Prior to the meeting Ms. Ray floated a compromise position (SUP ban Memorial Day to Labor Day during blackball). I rejected it out of hand and wanted to litigate... but in the spirit of compromise the parties at the meeting agreed to the proposal as a temporary measure."
"Chuck even autographed the copy of the Standup Journal as he was on the cover."
"Then I just want back to surfing below the radar."
"The crowd at the Point has never (and will probably never) forgive me... Oh well... I got some sick barrels at Point last winter... legally..."
China Harbor, CA, September, 2010
The HPWA partnered with Coastwalk California's coastal access advocate Fran Gibson to testify at the SDS Family Trust appeal on the remote Harmony Coast of San Luis Obispo county near Cayucos before the California Coastal Commission in August. China Harbor is a small historic pocket beach popular with boaters, kayakers and human-powered watercraft on the fifteen mile Harmony Coast.
The county approved extinguishing a lateral public access way (in two noncontiguous sections: bluff top trail and China Harbor beach easements each one-half mile long) granted as fair mitigation for new residential development six years ago. Each easement is 25 feet wide and this provides valuable public access to China Harbor. Property owners completed development approved within their coastal development permit, are enjoying the benefits of this development and the OTD represents a public asset that is permanent, irrevocable and "runs with the land in the chain of title."
The Coastal Commission voted 10 to 1 to keep the access way for the public and the HPWA played a vital role in ensuring that beach access for this part of the central coast remains open for boaters and recreational beach users. We look forward to more opportunities to have a positive impact before the Coastal Commission as we partner statewide with other organizations committed to improving coastal access for all people in California."
Salt Lake City, UT, August, 2010
The 2010 Summer Outdoor Retailer show took place under hot and beautiful skies in Salt Lake City last week. The Salt Palace hosted over 1100 exhibitors competing for attention in a very challenging market.
This is a trade show that serves the "sporting goods" retailer who typically carry a wide variety of products for many sports.
Everything from climbing gear to kayaks is on display. With the market depressed, the high growth SUP niche was on fire. Any company making human powered watercraft has or will have a line of SUP's that reflect a huge diversity of lifestyles. It is very clear that the "walking on water" market is just getting started and will bring many different kinds of enthusiasts. WOW! But not surprised...
Attended by HPWA Director Steven Alan Fry, the goal of getting letter-writing commitments from every SUP manufacturer in support of the petition to the Coast Guard was a no-brainer. Naish, Starboard, C4, Imagine, Lakeshore and others all committed to get their letterhead on the record. Look for postings on the HPWA web site soon as the petition drive continues through the summer season.
2010 - the year the SUP market explodes in the retail mainstream!
Paddle sports industry backs “SUP” petition to challenge the United States Coast Guard
Download a copy of the SUP SAFETY ALERT Poster
A national petition to challenge the Coast Guard’s determination that Stand Up Paddleboards (SUP’s) are “vessels” is receiving strong support from paddlers coast-to-coast.
The Human Powered Watercraft Association is championing this industry-wide petition so that several unintended negative results can be avoided and safety standards improved.
In September of 2008 the Coast Guard made a legal determination that SUP’s are “vessels” without seeking any public comment and apparently unaware of the unique operating conditions experienced by SUP’s.
The “vessel” status requires a personal flotation device (PFD) either be mounted to the paddle board or worn by the paddler – both scenarios leading to a dangerous false sense of security with potentially catastrophic results.
The accompanying poster serves to demonstrate the safety issue. In scenario #1 the paddler loses both the board AND the PFD. In scenario #2 the paddler loses the board and is stranded with a PFD. Both scenarios are inherently dangerous and unnecessary. Scenario #3 represents the HPWA’s recommendation for safe paddling, with the paddler attached to the board wearing an industry proven leash enabling the paddler to simply remount the SUP and continue on, out of the water, highly visible and able to travel.
Industry insiders and experts are supporting the petition drive and assisting the HPWA in distributing this safety alert. Many water sports enthusiasts recall this is the same Coast Guard “vessel” determination initially thrust upon windsurfers, resulting in windsurfers obtaining an exemption to the PFD requirement. The fast growing SUP industry is determined to optimize both safety and the enjoyment for paddlers, and strongly endorses the HPWA’s leadership role on this issue.
Aligned manufacturers and dealers are asked to link the petition on their web site or Facebook page to the HPWA web site or host a copy of the petition. Retailers should display the poster and provide pre-printed petitions for their customer’s use. Over 1,500 petitions have been received already, but broad distribution is critical to the HPWA’s goal of achieving a large nationwide collection of individual petitions by mid-summer. Once this goal is met the HPWA will hand carry all petitions to the USCG and launch a national media campaign to educate local, state and national agencies to build political support for this important initiative.
Questions and comments can be directed to the HPWA’s Director, Steven Alan Fry here.
The Human Powered Watercraft Association is a not-for-profit organization supported directly by donations from manufacturers, retailers and individual paddlers. Sponsor details are posted on the HPWA web site.
Human Powered Watercraft Association
25725 Paseo Colonial
San Juan Capistrano, CA. 92675 U.S.A.
Dana Point, CA, April, 2010
NO SUP SURFING NORTH OF THE HAMMER AT DOHO, IT'S THE LAW!
Download a copy of the State Standing Order, 2010
On April 1, 2010, the California State Parks Orange Coast Division updated the Standing Order for "Vessel Operations" in "Special Use Areas" ... what does this mean? They messed with the rules for standup surfing for all Orange County State Beaches. The rules remain essentially unchanged with one very, very notable exception. Now, standup surfing is forbidden north of Thor's Hammer at Doheny State Beach. As HPWA members probably know, Thor's Hammer is the concrete "thingy" at the end of the jetty that separates the swimming beach from the lagoon area approximately 1000 yards south of the Dana Point Harbor. South of Thor's Hammer, the State will likely be enforcing the "no standup surfers within 100 feet of swimmers and surfers..." as summertime arrives. So, be careful. Some standup surfers have already received tickets for (allegedly) stand up surfing in restricted areas at San Onofre State Beach... at six in the evening on a weekday! For those of you tempted to test the law by breaking it, the HPWA and its counsel advise against it!
Remember: Standup Surfing is NOT A CRIME... (most of the time... if you obey the State Standing Order... and the Orange County local ordinances... and the city codes...)
Surf Hard!
Dana Point, CA, March, 2010
VICTORY! Paddlers Get Wash-Down Water!
After 3 ½ years of discussions, human powered watercraft operations at the extremely popular West End launch site in Dana Point Harbor have been provided with a water source to assist boaters in washing down their water craft.
HPWA Youth Chairman Brian Haag demos the much-appreciated water supply!
Recently in a meeting with Harbor Director Brad Gross it was agreed that a water source for wash down activities could be provided at the existing water fountain, directly in front of the most active human powered launch area. The low cost and linking to an existing water fixture made this suggestion cost effective and ultimately “doable.”
Beginning on October 12, 2006, HPWA Director Steven Alan Fry first met with Orange County officials to request the installation of wash down capabilities. Initial discussions centered on the need for a wash down “facility.” This would require a “site” selection, expensive run-off drains plumbed into the sewage treatment system, design submissions and project funding. When the County suggested that the paddlers would need to pay for this facility themselves it became clear that some extra patience and a different strategy were going to be required.
Steven locating West End “site” for wash down facilities with Orange County personnel
The wash-down challenge for Dana Point paddlers was significant because the only water source was the outdoor public shower where paddlers would struggle to fill their jugs without taking a shower! Some boaters chose to use the shower to give their water craft a power-rinse. Most paddlers brought their water from home in jugs.
This is not what designers had in mind when Dana Point Harbor was built – the popularity of human powered watercraft has exploded and a need for a dedicated wash down water supply became a high priority.
VICTORY – Paddlers get their first, but not last, “amenity” in the West End of Dana Point Harbor!”