Paddle UK and the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), the charity that saves lives at sea, are sharing five key safety messages to help people to stay safe on the water this summer whilst participating in paddlesports such as stand up paddleboarding, canoeing and kayaking; activities that continue to be popular inland and at the coast. 

• There has been a 198% rise in RNLI SUP lifeboat rescues in the last five years.
• Of 155 RNLI lifeboat launches to stand up paddleboarders in 2023, 48% were due to paddleboarders being blown or swept out to sea by offshore winds and tides.
• RNLI lifeguards saw a 219%  rise in incidents to stand-up paddleboarders when comparing 2019 to 2023 incident figures. 
• Paddle UK held its inaugural safety conference in November 2023 with focus on research and messaging around offshore winds and leash use
• Paddle UK continues to work with major retailers on safety messaging at point of sale

The safety campaign is in its second year and with an exciting summer of sport coming up particularly the Olympic and Paralympic Games, it is anticipated that there could be an increased interest in outdoor sport and activity. 

Paddle UK saw a membership all time high of 94,000 last year and in November 2023, Paddle UK brought together industry experts and partners including the RNLI, HM Coastguard, SUP associations and retailers for a safety conference to share research and develop information to help keep paddlers safe and enjoy their time on the water. 

The #PaddleSafe campaign aims to raise awareness of how to prepare for a paddle and stay safe on any type of water; whether at the coast or inland and what leash to use for stand up paddleboarding. There will also be information about some of the dangers of being on the water and how to avoid them such as flowing water, offshore winds and weirs. 

The basic five key messages are: 

• Always wear a buoyancy aid 
• Tell someone where you’re going 
• Carry a mobile phone
• Check the weather
• Know your limits 

More detail of each message and specific advice can be found here and will be shared at SUP events and by many paddling clubs, commercial centres and industry partners over the summer. Additionally Paddle UK is continually working with major retailers to provide safety information at point of sale as equipment becomes more affordable and accessible. 

Paddlers can also learn the basic skills through Paddle UK courses. An Introduction to Paddlesport eLearning can be found here. Topic areas include key equipment, safety precautions and environmental factors, which are essential for all beginners to understand. 

Lee Pooley, Director of Coaching and Qualifications at Paddle UK: 

“We were pleased with the success of the campaign in 2023 and the continued support from the RNLI, delivery and commercial partners, clubs and retailers. We’ve listened and refined our messaging for 2024 and by including more specific research based information on offshore winds, weirs, flowing water and leashes we hope more paddlers can enjoy their time on the water and be equipped with the right knowledge and skills.”

Ashley Metcalfe, Chief Executive at Paddle UK:

“The safety conference we held at the end of 2023 created a platform for collaborative working with our industry partners. It provided us with an opportunity to refine and amplify the shared messages around safety on the water. Our ambition is to reach a large audience of paddlers in the UK and support them in having a positive experience on the water.”

Samantha Hughes, RNLI Water Safety Partner:

“The RNLI is pleased to be collaborating with Paddle UK again to encourage paddlers to keep themselves safe when heading out onto the water. 

‘Last year, 48% of lifeboat callouts were due to people being blown or swept out to sea so it’s really important that people check the weather forecast and tide times before heading out and avoid offshore winds.  Remember to wear a well-fitted buoyancy aid as this will help you float if you end up in the water unexpectedly. 

"Always carry a means of calling for help such as a mobile phone in a waterproof pouch and in the event of an emergency at the coast call 999 and ask for the Coastguard and if you're inland ask for the fire and rescue service.”

For further information please see https://gopaddling.info/safe-paddle-summer