How to Choose a SUP life jacket

It wasn’t until precent years that paddle boarding became widely poular, and it is now one of the most popular water sports. It’s beginner friendly, great for all ages and a fun sport. It’s one of the best activities to relax and just have fun. But it has certain safety risks that we should be aware of.

To protect yourself against any potential threats to your safety, it’s strongly recommended that you wear a PFD(Personal Flotation Device) whenever you are out on the water even if you are using the best all around paddle board or that you are an experienced paddler.

There are various kinds of personal flotation devices and not all of them are suitable for paddle boarding. It’s important to find a suitable SUP life jacket for yourself.

Do you need to wear a paddleboard life jacket?

Yes, it’s recommended that you wear a SUP life jacket when you are out on the water. In the US, it’s mandatory to have a life jacket with you when you are on the water. And if you are 12 years old or younger, you have to wear one when out on the water since paddle boards is now classified by the USCG(United States Coast Guard) as a vessel. A whistle or other sound making device is also required whenever you get out on the water. If you paddle at night, you’ll also need to have lights as well. But there are exception, for instance, if you paddle in a surf zone or swimming area, then you don’t have to have or wear a SUP life vest.

If you are wondering “I found a place for paddleboarding near me, do I still need a life jacket?” The answer is still yes. No matter how close it is to your place or how familiar you are with your SUP spot, it’s recommended that you wear a life jacket to ensure your own safety.

It’s strongly recommended that you wear a suitable inflatable SUP life jacket at all times for safety reasons. And if you are paddle boarding with your kids and they are under 12 years old, make sure they wear a suitable inflatable life vest when on the water.

Types of PFDs

There are generally 5 types of PFD(personal flotation device) and not all of them are suitable for paddle boarding.

Type 1 – The first type of PFDs usually have a minimum of 22 lbs buoyancy and are designed to keep your face up in the water. You can use them offshore. But they are kind of bulky and not very comfortable to wear. But being thick also means it can provide sufficient amount of buoyancy to keep you afloat and safe when you fall in.

Type 2 – This type of life jacket can also keep your head above the water but are not as good at it as the first type of PFD we mentioned. They have a lower 15.5 lbs of buoyancy and are supposed to be used in calm water near the shore and not for when the wearer will be stranded in the water for long periods of time. They usually have several plastic side-release buckles to secure the vest on your body.

Type 3 – This type of PFD are also not suitable for when long wait times for rescue are to be expected. They’re best for calm and near-shore water sports and able to keep you upright or vertical in the water. But they can’t keep your face up in the water like the first two types of PFDs. You’ll have to place yourself in a face-up position. They can provide a minimum of 15 lbs buoyancy and are very widely used for recreational water sports like jet skiing, water skiing, SUP fishing, and wakeboarding.

Type 4 – These are throwable buoyancy aid and they are not approved by the USCG for use by paddlers. They are designed to be thrown to someone who falls into the water by accident and is still conscious, and they are not meant to be worn. They are basically just a square flotation cushion or round throwable floaty.

Type 5 – These are special use life vests which are often comnbined into flotation coats, whitewater rafting vests, even sailboard harnesses. They shouldn’t be used outside of their intended purpose.

Choose a SUP jacket that fits your size

After selecting a suitable SUP life jacket for your paddle, there are a few things you should know. Make sure it’s in good condition, and has no holes or tears, and fits you nicely. If you wear a SUP jacket that’s too big for you, it can slip off easily. If it’s too small, it might not be able to provide sufficient buoyancy to keep you afloat when you fall. A standard SUP life jacket should have the manufacturer’s labeling with detailed information of the size and weight the jacket is intended to fit.