FWIW

http://myfwc.com/boating/boating-regulations/paddleboard/ 

I just stumbled upon this article on the FWC website.  Not sure if you all have been harrassed by the man, but it appears as if the law is treating SUP's in non-swimming areas (not the beach) as a kayak or canoe.  So, you will need a life jacket and a whistle. 

I can't stand paying fines, use the information as you wish.  Hopefully the officers will be somewhat slack for the people who are unaware of the new changes.  Those fines stack up fast. 

Thanks for posting, I didn't know that.

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Heaven is where the police are British, the chefs Italian, the mechanics German, and it is all organized by the Swiss. Hell is where the police are German, the chefs British, the mechanics French, and it is all organized by the Italians.

This piggy-backs off the USCG regulation that outside of the surf zone, an SUP is no longer a "beach toy" or surf toy, it becomes a "vessel."  

I was out near the Port one day and FWC told me if I go back out, he will cite me for no PFD.  I was showing a friend's kids how to ride, in water I was standing in that was only to my waist.

I asked why I needed a PFD in water I could stand up in if I fell off.  "Because I said so.  Any questions?"  

Yes, measure your d*ck much?

I know some FWC guys in this area, and, I realize they have a job to do, but, seriously?? I was on a board that, had it broken in half, it was still big enough for me to take a half and share the other with someone else and still float.

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Surfing to honor a promise to my daughter, Brittany, who passed away in 2005. Goodbye, Sunshine. Daddy misses you.

Yeah, everybody knows this down south in Jupiter area because when I was down there recently, every SUP paddler I saw had a Coast Gaurd rated life jacket tied to their board. I thought that was interesting, so I asked one of them and they said they will ticket you straight away if you don't have one.

So, now I take one with me if in the lagoon up here in Brevard just to avoid the potential hassle, although, I didn't know about the whistle. I guess I'll have to get one and put it around my neck. Rediculous.

Next you'll need a crash helmet with a flashing beacon mounted on it.

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Heaven is where the police are British, the chefs Italian, the mechanics German, and it is all organized by the Swiss. Hell is where the police are German, the chefs British, the mechanics French, and it is all organized by the Italians.

Ohio makes you buy a registation and hull sticker

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USCG TYPE 3 OK FOR SUP

I HAVE BEEN STOPPED BY CG. NEAR THE LOCKS. AND MOUTH OF THE PORT 2 TIMES THIS INFLATABLE COST $60.00 3 YEARS AGO.. I TEST IT YEARLY .......... NEW CO2 CARTRIDGE COST $17.00 GOT IT AT WEST MARINE BUT I ADDED THE DAKINE LEASH AND LONGER BELT AND EXTRA SNAP FOR SAFTY IVE USED IT FOR 3 YEARS . ..AND CG SAID I NEED THE WHISTLE ALSO .......... The United States Coast Guard (USCG) has officially classified stand up paddleboards (SUP) as a vessel. With the rapid growth of SUP in recent years on the West and East coast of the United States, the Coast Guard recently classified "paddleboards", meaning SUP's as "vessels." SUP, the newly classified vessels must comply with federal Navigation Rules and "carriage" requirements when operated beyond the limits of a swimming, surfing or bathing area. Adult stand-up paddlers are required to have a USCG-approved life jacket also known as Personal Floatation Device (PFD, Type III) for each person, a sound signaling device (whistle), visual distress signal and navigation light (flashlight).

With this said there are many details with the new PFD law that most cities and harbors are now enforcing. All persons 12 years old and under are required to wear a USCG-approved life jacket or PFD however all operators over 12 years of age are only required to have a Type III adult USCG-approved life jacket or PFD either attached to the vessel or on the operators person. As stated in the first paragraph, SUP operators are not required to wear or have a PFD if you are in the surf line. So, SUP surfers are not required to wear a PFD. The WPA will be inquiring for an exception with the new PFD law with the USCG. The letter will state "if the stand up paddleboard operator is tethered (wearing a leash) to their board or vessel, can this be deemed as an alternate or replacement for having a PFD." Most would feel that a stock (12'6") or larger SUP board would be a better floatation device as long as the operator were attached to the vessel. How much easier would it be to administer CPR or first aid to a victim or person in need on a SUP board rather than in the water?


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http://i578.photobucket.com/al...9BOBCOCOABCHPIER-2.jpg http://i578.photobucket.com/albums/ss229/bbreen1234/07-17-2009RIPPERBLUESPRINGS030.jpg

Edited: 05/04/2012 at 04:19 PM by STANDUPPADDLEBOARDBOB

Nicely done, Bob.

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Surfing to honor a promise to my daughter, Brittany, who passed away in 2005. Goodbye, Sunshine. Daddy misses you.

That type 3 is now $100. Have you tried CO2 cartridges at bike shops for quick inflate tire kits?

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There's no surf on Wall Street!
One man's loss is another man's gold...Operating principal behind Wall Street, and sadly, to a large extent, America

http://articles.orlandosentine...508_1_kayak-gator-dog



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it's never too late to have a happy childhood...