Stand-up paddleboarding would be in a very different place if we didn’t have inflatable boards; they’ve made the sport vastly more accessible and affordable. However, they have also brought a variety of interesting new potential problems to the world of boardsports. It’s easy to forget – but we shouldn’t – that an inflatable paddleboard is fundamentally a textile product. It is made of fabric. Unlike a hard board – which may be completely waterlogged and held together by little more than duct tape but it can still be paddled – inflatable boards are rather more binary in function. They’re either a paddleboard, or they’re a pile of wet PVC cloth and polyester thread. If your inflatable board suffers significant damage while you’re out on the water, that change of state from working board to wet cloth can occur very quickly – and your outlook for the immediate future will change equally  dramatically.

So - let’s find out how you can deal with it and self-rescue.

Continuing our mapping of UK Paddle Spots, we have been speaking to the awesome team at Paddle Cymru, who have curated a number of different trails and routes to try this year on their website. We have picked out a few famous inland routes and locations for you to explore this year!

In our latest excerpt from the series of SUP SAFETY books written by Bill Dawes,  National Safety Officer for stand up paddleboarding in New Zealand, we’re going to look at another paddleboarding emergency scenario and how to deal with it, utilising and building upon the processes covered in the previous blog articles in this series.

Dealing with an injury

The previous articles in this series can be accessed here  The article finished with a challenge - have a go at thinking through how the process would work in the event of a physical problem.  Something has gone wrong with you.  How would you deal with it? 

So here goes…

In our latest excerpt from the series of SUP SAFETY books written by Bill Dawes,  National Safety Officer for stand up paddleboarding in New Zealand, we’re going to put everything covered in the previous blogs into practice, in the context of a very typical paddleboarding problem scenario. Over to Bill…

Dealing with an equipment problem

In the earlier blogs in this series I’ve talked about the importance of considering what you’d do in a problem scenario before it actually happens, along with having a process for actually dealing with  problems  - the ‘GAGA’ acronym discussed in the previous blog. These two things (or the lack of) will very much determine how the problem plays out - which could be anywhere on a spectrum from minor inconvenience through to full blown emergency.  

One micro-adventure to some serious nautical mileage around the Irish coast! We invited Niall to give us an insight to what life is like on the water.

For paddlers of all kinds, from seasoned experts to those just starting out, safety on the water is a priority. Paddling is an incredible way to explore and connect with nature, but unpredictable conditions, strong currents, and rapidly changing weather can turn a routine outing into a risky experience. PaddleLIVE®, one of Paddle Logger’s safety features, was designed with these challenges in mind. With real-time location tracking and automated alerts, it keeps you connected to your chosen emergency contacts, offering both you and your loved ones peace of mind.

Setting meaningful paddling goals is more than just jotting down a few numbers. It’s about challenging yourself and making every stroke on the water count. Whether you're a recreational paddler or an aspiring pro, having clear goals for your paddling journey can enhance your motivation and performance. With Paddle Logger, tracking your paddling progress has never been easier. Here's how you can make the most out of your 2025 goals.

What an epic year on the water! 2024 has brought awesome collaborations, new podcast episodes amazing new features and of course some fantastic paddling! What a way to celebrate 10 years on the water! As always paddlers can now access their annual data round up which this year includes goals achieved and reference to where across the year you were on the water most! Make sure you head to Year on the Water and share your stats with the community!

For kayakers, whether you’re a novice or a seasoned pro, GPS tracking each session using the Paddle Logger app on your iPhone or Apple Watch can be transformative. If you don’t already track your routes, the ability to monitor distance, speed, pace, and heart rate brings new insights to your paddling experience, enhancing enjoyment, safety, and performance. GPS tracking has become an invaluable tool for many kayakers, helping them explore further, paddle smarter, and gain insights into their progress on the water.

What to do when things go wrong

In previous articles we looked at the three main categories of unexpected occurrences which you might encounter while out on your paddleboard. Namely; issues with your equipment, your environment, or your wellness. Other than a few really extreme situations (such as a cardiac arrest or being run over by a speedboat), the vast majority of unexpected occurrences are not in themselves life-threatening. It is how you deal with them that will determine how they play out - which could be anywhere on a spectrum from minor inconvenience through to full blown emergency. 

This is our third set of excerpts from the series of SUP SAFETY books written by Bill Dawes, National Safety Officer for stand up paddleboarding in New Zealand.