Paddleboard enthusiasts warn of dangers ahead of holiday weekend

While paddleboarding may be more accessible, it’s not easy, riders say

Getty Images Two men on paddle boards. One of them is doing a handstand. — While paddleboarding may be more accessible, it’s not easy, riders say

Paddleboarders are advised to exercise caution if heading to the water over the long weekend.

Fourteen people were rescued by RNLI crews from Swansea two weekends ago, with further rescues reported by crews from Port Talbot and Pembrokeshire.

According to the sports organisation Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP), around 600,000 people in the UK regularly paddleboard.

Anna Snow, of the RNLI, said people needed to know what they were doing before they got on board.

Sarah Perkins, from Cardiff, has been a SUP racer for eight years, having previously practiced windsurfing.

She has competed in three world championships and will travel to Copenhagen in September to compete internationally again.

She said acquiring skills takes a long time and she sees many people struggling.

SUP racer Sarah Perkins says people can get much more out of paddleboarding if they take the time to learn the basic skills.

Sarah Perkins is holding an ore and wearing a wetsuit. She is standing near the water and smiling. — SUP racer Sarah Perkins says people can get much more out of paddleboarding if they take the time to learn the basic skills.

“It’s really accessible support but it’s not easy,” she said.

“I see a lot of people out there and they’re not very good at it. If they were just a little bit better at it, they’d have a lot more fun.”

She said she saw people with boards upside down and leashes, which should be attached to the legs or waist, around their wrists.

Conversations with experts or rescuers could make a big difference, she added.

“You don’t know what you don’t know.”

“If you don’t understand what an offshore wind turbine looks like, if you don’t understand what river conditions are dangerous, then you have no idea.”

Gareth Stevenson helps train people on paddleboarding and says people should approach it like ‘climbing a mountain’

Gareth Stevenson sat on a paddleboard smiling — Gareth Stevenson helps train people on paddleboarding and says people should approach it like ‘climbing a mountain’

Gareth Stevenson runs Get Out On The Water, which helps educate and facilitate watersports in South Wales.

He said Covid restrictions and the accessibility of equipment had boosted paddleboarding’s popularity.

“There was an explosion of paddleboarding during Covid and the years when we couldn’t travel,” he said.

“Everyone bought a paddle and gave it a try. We’ve never seen it in the same way in any other sport, going from complete beginners to world-class competitors.”

He said paddleboarding was a “great social activity” but people needed to develop basic skills before venturing out on the water.

“The main thing is to learn safety. Read the environment, know where you are paddling from and always have the right equipment with you.

“It’s like climbing a mountain,” he said.

“Have some form of communication with you, let people know where you are going and paddle with friends.”

RNLI’s Anna Snow says they ‘don’t judge’ people who need help

Anna Snow stands on a beach smiling at the camera — RNLI’s Anna Snow says they ‘don’t judge’ people who need help

Ms Snow, of the RNLI, said the organisation wanted people to enjoy the coast but be prepared in case they got into trouble.

“It’s unfortunately very dangerous,” she said.

She said the association had been called out to many reckless situations but said there was “no judgment” and urged everyone to call at the first sign of trouble.

Checking the tide and wind speed are simple ways to get the most out of the sport, she added.

“Paddleboarding is a very enjoyable and accessible sport.

“It allows people who otherwise wouldn’t be able to get on the water to get on board.”