Weirs, SUPs and Safety

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4p2wOMjhdg

https://www.westerntelegraph.co.uk/news/23181407.police-pass-haverfordwest-paddleboarding-tragedy-file-cps/

Bouyancy aids would probably give the water more grip.
Read on Weir building company website, backwash is equivalent to being held down by a wave, but continuous, they are known in a few countries as 'death machines'.
Reckless statement coming up ,,,, I would probably have a go at shooting a Weir, in a Kayak.

Edited by 423zero - 01 May 23 at 10:29am

Only found one suggestion for people trapped, they should try to push off the bottom ( risk of getting feet entangled), or swim along the weir. No evidence that its ever worked though. Kayakers will shoot weirs for fun ! But they have had drownings, length of kayak needs to be double the washback, need to be going fast too. Article isn't recommending doing this, just reporting it does happen.

All above from kayaking Union.

Edited by 423zero - 01 May 23 at 9:32am

Correct Nicola - never ride a weir, it’s not a wave. a buoyancy aid would not help in this situation. They are deadly.

I’ve used my SUPs on rivers and canals, it’s idyllic but it does require some understanding that is not covered by common sense, especially around river flow speed - it can be hard-ish to tell.

I’ve never once used a BA, there’s plenty of bouyancy in the craft, however I haven’t sought white water stuff, where they are more appropriate - as is a helmet. If you fall off and get knocked out by a rock ….

Always use a lease, that’s a big observation of mine for the newbies who show up with a £200 inflatable from Aldi, along with PSI … and it’s becoming increasingly apparent QR waist leashes are superior in most situations other than surf SUP in real waves.

I do think we should consider the huge benefit SUP is delivering to water sports community as a whole, but like all things in their infancy some guidance could be better. Personally I’m appalled that this incident was an organised trip … what were they thinking going anywhere near a weir?


Edit: re BAs and never wearing one, that was in reference to canal and rivers. I’ve SUPped with BA 4 times - twice on charter boats in Greece as was a stipulation of the captain/boat insurance, once from a beach rental where it was conditional of hire and finally once at Bowmoor - their pond, their rules … but they awfully cumbersome, chafe around the arm holes and frankly make you overheat far too quickly; they are not a general solution for this watersport, same as they weren’t for windsurfing.


Edited by turnturtle - 01 May 23 at 8:35am