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Paddle Responsibly Logo

Paddlesport participation has grown dramatically in recent years.  Low entry cost, easy storage, less maintenance and flexibility are some of the reasons many people have decided to become paddlers, compared to power or sailing craft.  

Paddlesports are on the rise, setting a records for the number of participants. About 22 million Americans — 7.4 percent of the population — enjoy paddling.

Kayaking, Stand Up Paddleboarding and kayak fishing have grown dramatically. Between 90,000 and 105,000 canoes and 350,000 kayaks are sold annually, according to industry figures.

However, all of this growth in paddlesports has a dark side. Unlike power boats, with the growth in paddlesports, the number of fatalities has gone up. In the most recent reporting year, 2015, 29% of boating deaths were paddlecraft related; in 2016, fatalities climbed even higher. Current efforts to reach the paddling public have fallen dramatically short. The Coast Guard Auxiliary Strategic Plan for 2017 focuses Auxiliary efforts on addressing the problem by expanding outreach to the paddlecraft community.

 

                                         Paddlecraft Safety Resources

Front picture of Safety Paddling Brochure showing man paddling a kayak.
   

Click here to download 'Be Smart, Be Safe, Have Fun'. This brochure is a beginner's guide to safer paddling.

 

 

Picture of person on a Stand-up board.
Click here to download some basic safety information for 'Stand Up Paddlers' (SUPs) 

 

 
Picture of man with a big fish.
 
Click here to download a checklist for kayaking and kayak fishing. 

 

 

 
Picture of the Rules of the road for Paddlers brochure.

Click here to download the 'Rules of the Road, What Paddlers Need to Know' brochure (ACA). 

 

 

Picture of the Paddle Safe! Have Fun! brochure.

Click here to download the 'Paddle Safe! Have Fun!' paddling safety brochure by the ACA. 

 

 
Picture of the Paddler's Safety Checklist brochure.
Click here to download the 'Paddler's Safety Checklist' brochure by the ACA. 

 

 

 

Picture of multiple kayaks, on the grass, ready for use.

 

Picture of two kayakers paddling on a lake.

Paddling.com has partnered with the United States Coast Guard to bring you an 8-part "Safer Paddling" video series that shares valuable safety guidelines, paddling technique pointers, and other various gear tips. Click here to leave this site and view these videos at the paddling.com website.

 

 

Water Sports Industry Association logo

The Water Sports Foundation has produced a 'Safer Paddling' video series with important safety tips for Stand Up Paddleboarders and Kayak Fishers. Click the titles to leave this site and view these videos on YouTube. (Not all of the videos have been released yet.  New videos will be added each week.)  #Paddlesafe

Episode 1 — SUP, Wear a Leash and Life Jacket

Episode 2 — SUP, Know Your Limits  

Episode 3 — SUP, Check the Forecast  

Episode 4 — SUP, Dress for Immersion  

Episode 5 — SUP, Don’t Paddle Impaired 

Episode 1 — KayakFish, Wear Your Life Jacket

Episode 2 — KayakFish, Dress for Immersion