Be prepared and safe on the water – taking the essentials

A safe SUP outing depends on training, trip planning and taking the ‘essentials’. In this blog we focus on taking the ‘essentials’.

Check our calendar for upcoming Paddle Canada accredited Touring Level 1 and Touring Level 2 courses that provide higher level training and will go into more detail about taking the ‘essentials’, trip planning, tides and currents, navigation and more.

Transport Canada’s minimum safety equipment requirements for SUPs

Since most of the stand-up paddleboards we use are 14 feet and under, the information summarized in the first bulleted list below is applicable to that size range.

There are additional requirements for stand-up paddleboards >6 m (~19.5 feet) – check out Transport Canada’s Safe Boating Guide for more info.

There are also different and additional requirements if you are leading/guiding in a perceived, volunteer or paid capacity – see ‘Transport Canada’s minimum safety equipment and other requirements for guided excursions’ toward end of blog.

Here are Transport Canada’s minimum safety equipment requirements for SUPs 14 feet and under with an indication of situations when they are required or exemptions, where applicable:

• Transport Canada approved life jacket or PFD (personal floatation device) – one per person on board (see ‘Additional and important information on PFDs’ at end of blog)
• Sound signalling device (e.g. whistle) – wear around neck for easy access/ready to use
• Water-tight flashlight (if paddling after sunset/before sunrise or in restricted visibility (e.g. fog))
• Navigation light showing a white light (if paddling after sunset/before sunrise or in restricted visibility (e.g. fog)); this can be a water-tight flashlight, ready to use, far enough in advance to prevent a collision
• Magnetic compass – not required if your board is less than 8 m long and paddling within sight of navigation marks; however, beneficial to have and know how to use in case you encounter restricted visibility (e.g. fog)
• Buoyant heaving line, minimum 15 m long (required if you are not wearing your life jacket or PFD; note, you must wear inflatable PFDs at all times)

Although a water-tight flashlight/navigation light and magnetic compass is only needed if you are paddling after sunset/before sunrise or in restricted visibility (e.g. fog), you never know when the fog might roll in or if your end of day paddle is delayed past sunset. Be prepared. Pack for the unanticipated.

Additional items to bring

There are many other items to consider bringing as essentials in addition to the above minimum safety equipment requirements.

The duration and/or location of your paddle will determine what you will need to bring. For example, what you bring on an hour paddle near the shore and an urban area will be different than what you bring on a day-long or multi-day long paddle, particularly in more remote locations. Touring Level 1 and Touring Level 2 training helps you identify what you might need to bring for paddles you enjoy or want to do.

The following is a sample list:

• Extra warm clothing (wool hat, gloves, leggings, sweater, socks) (avoid cotton as it absorbs and retains water like a sponge keeping you wet and cold)
• Water, warm beverage
• High energy snacks, extra food
• First aid kit (including emergency blanket, mini first aid guide)
• Communication device (cell phone, marine VHF (requires certification to use), satellite phone), portable power bank to recharge devices
• Hand warmers (these can really help take the edge off the cold and can be placed between clothing layers around your core – not directly on your skin)
• Knife
• Water resistant notebook (Rite in the Rain) and pencil
• Map/chart
• Spare fin, suitable repair kit for board type (e.g. epoxy and gorilla tape for hard board; patch kit and pump for inflatable board)

Much of this can be securely stored and kept dry in one or more 10 L, 20 L or 25 L dry bags depending on the contents. Of course, larger dry bags are available and may be optimal for your paddling situation. Multiple bags can help organize items and provide easier access. Don’t pack your water/beverage container with other items unless you know for certain they are 100% leak proof!

Don’t have time to gather all these items? We have you covered! E-mail (brian at southislandsup dot com), call or text (7786791423) and we can assemble your very own dry bag for you (price varies depending on dry bag size and contents, ~$40 to $100).

Transport Canada’s minimum safety equipment and other requirements for guided excursions

There are different and additional minimum safety equipment and other requirements if you are leading/guiding in a perceived, volunteer or paid capacity.

We’ve summarized briefly what the minimum safety equipment and other requirements for guided excursions are (applicable to SUPs 14 feet and under). Those that are different or additional to what is required for non-guided excursions are identified in bold italic font:

• Transport Canada approved life jacket or PFD (must be worn regardless of type)
• Sound signalling device (e.g. whistle) (as per first bulleted list)
• Water-tight flashlight (as per first bulleted list)
• Buoyant heaving line, minimum 15 m long (required, no exemptions)
• Navigation light (as per first bulleted list)
• Magnetic compass (as per first bulleted list)
• First aid kit
• Cold water immersion plan
• Pre-trip departure safety briefing
• Trip plan

 Additional and important information on PFDs

• PFDs are most commonly used by stand-up paddleboarders and fall into two broad categories:
  • Inherently buoyant like the orange Kokatat lifejacket in the photo
  • Inflatable (hence not inherently buoyant) like the Onyx waist belt type in the photo
• Inflatable PFDs are manually inflated by pulling an inflation cord/pull tab or orally inflating with the oral inflation tube therefore you should be comfortable being in the water to wear these and must be 16 years of age or older
• Inflatable PFDs are only considered PFDs if you are wearing them, so you must wear these at all times
• The Vaikobi PFDs are not Transport Canada approved yet. There are two options to being able to wear these and still being compliant:
  • Wear a Vaikobi PFD and a Transport Canada approved waist belt style inflatable PFD
  • Wear a Vaikobi PFD and have a Transport Canada approved inherently buoyant PFD secured to your board and readily accessible
• Check out Transport Canada’s webpage describing the characteristics of life jackets and PFDs
• Don’t forget to undertake the care and maintenance steps outlined in your PFD’s owner manual at the frequency specified (i.e. before/after each wear, every 6 months, annually). This includes inspecting all components, such as the inflating system and bladder for inflatable PFDs; checking for tears and holes; checking that seams, fabric, straps and hardware are secure and strong.

Banner photo by Don Craig