Lake Martin Topics: Paddle Board Safety

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	Name:	Murph -
	Subject:	Paddle Board Safety
	Date:	7/12/2012 11:03:07 AM

When we discuss boat & pwc safety vs the drivers ability, I think we need to address the newest fad on the lake and that is paddle boards. I personally don't care for anything that depends on me for power, but fully understand that they are growing in popularity for both entertainment and exercise (something I try to avoid at all costs)...here goes the scenario...

My neighbors have bought a couple of them and they are allowing their pre-teenage children to take them out on the lake. A few afternoons ago I was taking a sunset cruise and was heading back in at dusk. There was still a little light out, but all the watercrafts in sight were running with lights on. As I approached my dock, I heard the kids yelling to get my attention. They were out on the paddle board in moderately open water, in my direct path & I was closing in rapidly. No lights, no horn, no lifejackets, just 2 kids and a paddle. Even in the daylight, these things are hard to see since they are not producing any "whitewater", are typically not moving fast enough to differentiate the operator from the tree line in the distance, and with people who are body mass deficient they can literally blend in to the background (another advantage to being on the above average side of the curve). Before you jump to assumptions, I was not operating irresponsibly, I was not intoxicated (although it took a few Crown drinks to calm my nerves after), I did not have a boat full of drunks, and I was in waters that I know very well.

What can be done? This scenario (although I hope it is isolated) truly unnerved me. I have talked to my neighbors and they have in turn spoken with their kids, but this is only one house. For those of you who have them, are there safety features I am missing. I always trust common sense over laws and regulations, but what are the rules for these things.

Continue to enjoy them...but be sure everyone who gets on them realizes that they are hard to see and that there is nothing to protect them from an oncoming vessel.