Paddleboarding in Kirkland- Be Smart

I'm on the waters of Lake Washington 4-5 times a week and I've been watching you.    And I worry about you.  Really, I do.  I think the SUP (stand-up paddleboard) phenomenon here is fantastic.  It's a great chance to get on the water, work those shoulders/balance/core and take in some beautiful scenery while you are at it.  For those of you that don't know me, I am a boater/waterskiier and I own a SUP too.  I get it.  But here's the problem----when I am boating and you are paddling straight across the middle of the lake, I CANNOT see you (especially at sunset).  You look like a toothpick, which in other circumstances might be a compliment, however here it is not.  I've been taking some photos lately so you can see what I am talking about.  It's like a "Where's Waldo?" photo-shoot..

   


Maybe I'm getting old. I don't want to lecture, but I do want to make you aware because I know that you feel so tall and obvious standing there on your board..... but you are almost invisible, especially when you are dressed in a black wetsuit.  There are no traffic lanes or speed limits in the open water and often boaters are looking into the sun and have a 30mph wind whipping them in the face (and unfortunately many aren't paying full attention or have a beer in their hand too).  Stay along the shoreline if you can or wear some brightly colored clothing. 

The US Coast Guard now considers a SUP a 'vessel' which means you must have a PFD on board and a sound-producing device (besides your voice).  So now I see people paddling with a vest thrown on top of their boards.  PUT IT ON.  It seems slow and calm and harmless but nobody ever expects an emergency.  "Boats don't have brakes and unconscious people don't float" was one of the notable comments I found on this US Coast Guard Blog about SUP.  A few years ago I gashed my head open with my waterski in a bad fall---it was crystal clear on that day why you always have a driver AND a spotter.  Never thought I would need my third person to help drag me out of the water and adminster first aid that day.  Just like you never think you'd 'need' a lifevest on a paddleboard. 

Paddle-boarding is totally worth trying if you haven't done it. Places like Perfect Wave do rentals by the hour and will get you geared up.  Just be smart- wear your ankle leash, flotation device, a whistle, some bright clothes and stay along the shoreline where you can.

I spoke with Deputy Chris Bedker of the King County Sheriff's Office Marine Rescue & Dive Unit today.  If you are in a designated swimming area, you are not required to have a lifevest  (Houghton Beach, Juanita Beach, Waverly Beach Park). He emphasized that for kids 12 or under you MUST be wearing your PFD. The Deputy also advised that you wear brighter colors and be aware of the weather and water temperature and wear thermal protection accordingly.  The fee for a citation of not having your PFD is $87, and they try give SUP's a break by giving warnings when you don't have your sound device on board.   Enjoy these last weeks of summer........safely!  ~j

 

 

Comments

[Bill Patterson]

Thanks for this helpful suggestion. Also, when you are on yor boat at sunset and squinting to see you should not be feeling a 30 mph wind in your face. Please slow down!

[Tim Park]

Janice,

Thanks for bringing up such an important topic. Given the popularity of the sport, it's good to mention and hopefully your comments will raise awareness to all. However, as both a professional and pleasure boater, I think I need to point out something to all. You mention that there are no "speed limits" on the water. Unfortunately my opinion is that you're a bit less than correct on that. I truly hope that no water sport participant ever has to learn the hard way about what the maritime courts will have to say about "Safe Speed" (COLREG 6). And yes, if a wakeboard boat or PWC plows into a paddleboarder, they will in fact learn the hard way. Briefly, a vessel shall proceed at a speed consistent with the conditions. Having the sun in your eyes, or wind in your face will not provide much of a defense. The simple fact that a collision occured will pretty much prove to the Admiralty courts that the motorized vessel was not traveling at a "safe speed". There will be some contributory negligence if the paddleboarder hadn't sounded his/her required danger signal on the sound device now required to be carried. The onus will then transfer to the motorized vessel to prove that he was maintaining a safe watch "by sight as well as hearing". With some of the stereo systems I've seen, I think the deck is stacked against the motorboat but again, in my opinion, rightfully so. Any yahoo can go out and buy a very high powered watercraft and not one person is going to ask them if they know how to use it. Sorry to get so technical, but the actual Rules of the Road need to be followed a bit more by most pleasure boaters or else it will affect everyone's ability to enjoy these beautiful days. Just my two cents worth..... Thanks again for bringing it up.

[bigyaz]

Reasonable points. Waiting for your post to all the reckless boaters (virtually none of whom wear PFDs), waterskiers and jetskiers who come too close to shore going too fast, buzz kayaks and sailboats, blast music, destroying the quiet pleasures of being out on the lake, etc.

You remind me of those who tell pedestrians they should be more careful because many drivers are talking on cellphones, drinking coffee, blinded by the sun, etc.

[Robert Malone]

Stand up paddle boards are the recumbent bicycles of the lake. Surfboards are for surfing, not yoga.

[Phillip]

A good reminder for SUPers on any lake.

'"Boats don't have brakes and unconscious people don't float"' I've never heard this quote before, but I like it and will use it.

I guess I am starting to get old, too...

[Soulr Paddle Boards]

Thanks for the write up, good points all around. Paddling on a SUP makes you feel very visible, and it's hard to imagine that someone can't see you standing there. Your photos do a good job illustrating just how small we are compared to a big body of water. And the glare makes nearly invisible.