The United States Coast Guard has imposed a legal ruling that all Stand-Up Paddleboards in the United States are "vessels" and paddlers must carry or wear a personal flotation device.
This applies to all SUP operations in all lakes, rivers and in the ocean outside the surf zone.
This ruling jeopardizes the enjoyment and comfort of this wonderful water sport.
MOST IMPORTANT - This ruling is seriously flawed and will result in injury and death because it provides paddlers with a false sense of security. Skilled paddlers know that optimum safety is achieved by staying with the board at all times.
A paddleboard is unsinkable; has at least 10 times the flotation of a PFD; keeps the paddler out of the water, and allows the paddler to remount after a fall and continue on. A simple leash similar to those used by surfers worldwide would easily and cost-effectively accomplish this.
Under the Coast Guard ruling a paddler may easily loose the board or worse, both the board and PFD!
PLEASE TAKE ACTION - WE ARE COLLECTING HUNDREDS OF PETITIONS FROM ALL CORNERS OF THE COUNTRY TO PRESENT TO THE COAST GUARD AS A PART OF OUR AGGRESSIVE EFFORTS TO GAIN AN EXEMPTION SIMILAR TO WIND SURFERS AND RACING SCULLS.
WE WILL HAND-CARRY YOUR PETITION - SIMPLY PRINT, FILL OUT AND MAIL THIS 1-PAGE PETITION TO THE H.P.W.A. AND WE WILL KEEP YOU UP TO DATE AND BE YOUR COLLECTIVE VOICE TO CORRECT THIS MISGUIDED EFFORT TO IMPOSE SAFETY STANDARDS UPON THE PADDLING COMMUNITY.
NOTE: YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS WILL NOT BE SHARED OUTSIDE THE H.P.W.A. BUT WILL ENABLE US TO SEND YOU EMAIL UPDATES GOING FORWARD. WE RESPECT YOUR PRIVACY.
THANK YOU!!!
Steven Alan Fry Director