BE PREPARED, BE SAFE

As the sun shines this summer and Covid-19 restrictions lift, fans of watersports will be looking to enjoy the sun and get out on the water with family, friends and fellow enthusiasts.

Being on the water brings many benefi ts, including fun, relaxation, peace of mind and exercise. This has been recognised in the Midlands, where a £50,000 grant is being given to help patients boost their physical and mental health by making use of the Nottingham and Beeston canal through paddleboarding and other activities.

Stand Up Paddleboarding is one of the UK’s fastest-growing watersports. Many suppliers sold out last summer and industry analysts expect the strong demand will continue over the next few years. The popularity of the sport is not confi ned to the UK either; the SUP sector worldwide is predicted to grow by £43 million in the next four years, according to data from Technavio.

Staying safe But as the number of paddleboarders grows, so does the incidents of those who get into trouble on the water. So it is essential that both new and experienced paddleboarders follow safety guidelines and carry essential equipment to help them raise the alarm in case of emergency.

The RNLI advises in its In The Surf leafl et that if PWC owners get into diffi culty, they should stay with their kit, as it will keep them afl oat and they will be seen more easily. A lifejacket should always be worn too. When venturing offshore, those on the water should carry a suitable means of calling for help, including fl ares, it advises.

Chris Feibusch, marketing director at Wescom and a keen dinghy sailor, says that with the eagerness to get out on the water this summer, it can be easy to forget that conditions can quickly change and it is important for everyone - even the most experienced - to carry vital safety and signalling equipment.

Chris said, “With the explosion in watersports, there will be many more on the water across the UK this summer, including lots of fi rst-timers. Emergency

No matter your experience level, you need to have safety kit. Image: Stas Volik

call-outs for the RNLI and Coastguard to rescue paddleboarders have soared in the last few years, as the sport has grown in popularity.

“Our message is do not forget to take some means of raising the alarm should you get into diffi culties and do not rely on mobile phones, which are not waterproof and less likely to have a signal the further away from land you go. There are a number of purpose-designed safety devices available, but you should consider taking fl ares.

“Anyone taking to the water should take a signalling device with them and fl ares will dramatically increase your chances of getting help quickly in an emergency. They do not rely on battery power or electronics, cannot be extinguished once ignited, perform reliably after submersion in water and are designed to withstand environmental exposure.

“Our Pains Wessex, Comet Marine, Aurora and Oroquietta brands of marine distress signals are critical lifesaving appliances used around the world to summon help and provide peace of mind to watersports fans and anyone on the water.”

Distress signals Chris Feibusch has selected four types of distress signal that are ideal for watersports participants: Mini fl ares: also called Personal Distress Signals, they are light, compact and powerful, so they are ideal for all paddlesports and watersports participants. Kits contain small fl are cartridges and a fi ring mechanism in a tough water-resistant case. Each Pains Wessex and Comet Marine cartridge reaches a height of more than 46m, burns for over 5.5 seconds at a minimum of 10,000 candelas and is visible for at least fi ve miles in daylight and 10 miles at night, depending on weather conditions. Personal Distress Signals are mainly used on yachts, dinghies, PWC, canoes and sailboards, but are a generalpurpose distress signal for aviation, hill-walking, climbing, skiing and other outdoor pursuits. Day and Night signals: As the name states, these multipurpose marine pyrotechnics will help to pinpoint your location to the rescue services during daylight or at night. They have two different functions, one at each end - smoke by day and fl are by night or day. They are perfect for paddleboarders and personal use in small boats, kayaks, canoes or by aviators and divers. Orange Handsmoke: This daytime, hand-held distress signal produces dense orange smoke for 60 seconds. It is deployed in emergencies during the day and helps mark the position during a rescue operation.

Head over to your local chandlery or, for further information, go to www.wescomsignal.com.

With more and more people taking up stand up paddleboarding, the safety message becomes ever more important. Image: Pavel Ievlev