“ If you ’ re planning to head out for a longer trip , it can be worth considering if your board is suitable for the distance .”
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Are there any hazards or risks ? Understanding what you will experience along the trip is critical to identifying hazards and risks that you may need to deal with as you paddle . As you follow your journey on a map , look for points where you are further away from the shore or places you will need to cross a larger expanse of water . If you do this , not only will you be more exposed to the wind , but you could also come across larger craft which may not be able to avoid you as easily .
If you are paddling on a river you may also come across weirs , which can create powerful and lethal currents in the water . Keep your eyes peeled for sudden changes in the height of the water appearing in the distance ( horizon lines ) and avoid going too close , as you can easily end up in a position where you can ' t paddle away from them .
On many navigable sections of water , hazards can be marked on the map or identified with signage at water level , however , this is not a given . Paddler guidebooks can be a great source of information and you can always ask online to see if anyone else has already paddled where you are planning to go and can give you up-to-date information too .
Do you know l If there are any potential hazards during the trip ? l If there are any moments where you may need to be more aware of your surroundings ? l How far away from shore you will typically be ? l If there are other boats and craft on the water ? l If these boats will be making waves that might knock me from my board ? l If you can get off the water if you need to ?
What equipment do I need ? Your first SUP experience can most likely be completed with almost any board and minimal additional equipment . However , if you ’ re planning to head out for a longer trip , it can be worth considering if your board is suitable for the distance .
Longer boards designed for touring are typically more manageable when covering distance and often have space for a small amount of equipment . Taking time to check the condition of your board , making sure it is pumped up to a suitable pressure ( if using an inflatable ) and examining the condition of your leash will be time well spent . Remember that your leash is part of your safety kit and there really should be no need to remove it when you are out on the water . Many SUP paddlers may choose not to wear a PFD ( buoyancy aid ) but if you do this , you need to be wearing your leash at all times , confident in the water , a good swimmer and able to self rescue back onto the board with ease . If you ’ re not sure , then wearing a PFD will bring a bit of extra reassurance and a simple one that fits well is likely to be all you need .
For your journey you also might want to pack extra kit , which you should be able to store on your board in a small dry bag . Some of the contents of this kit could be regular things that you know you will need such as your lunch and a drink but other things could be packed for those ‘ just in case ’ moments .
I typically advise paddlers on what they need to take on a trip : we need to be able to fix people , feed people , keep warm and call for help . This means we want to consider some kind of first aid kit , spare food , spare layers , maybe an emergency shelter as well as having your phone / radio available to hand .
Consider l Is my board suitable for the trip distance / duration ? l Have I checked the condition of my board and paddle ? l Have I checked the condition of my leash ( including the velcro )? l Will I be wearing a PFD ? l Is my clothing suitable for the trip and will I be warm enough if I fall in ? l What emergency equipment do I have ? l Can I carry this equipment on my board ? l Can I give my location if I need to ?
What will I do if there is a problem ? Even with the best planning and preparation , you could still come into difficulties along the way . If you have chosen a more straightforward journey with a sheltered environment , then the solutions to problems
“ If you ’ re planning to head out for a longer trip , it can be worth considering if your board is suitable for the distance .”