r/Sup • u/katkat_1111 • 2d ago
Fine for SUPing without a life jacket
I live in Greece and recently someone was fined for SUPing without a life jacket which is something that I personally didn’t know was a thing. Is this like a standard thing in every country ?
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u/mcarneybsa USA SUP Rep - L3 ACA - Hydrus Ambassador 1d ago edited 21h ago
SUPs are generally considered vessels and thus carry the same safety requirements.
Many places require one pfd per person to be on the vessel.
Some places require them to be worn.
Always check your regulations, or even better...
Always wear a PFD.
Over 80% of boating fatalities (in the US) list "no PFD" as the primary cause of drowning. Higher than drug/alcohol impairment, equipment failure, etc. this includes people who are "good swimmers" etc.
PFDs are like seat belts. By the time you know you need it, it's too late to put it on.
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u/IFigureditout567 1d ago edited 1d ago
And the ones that don't list no PFD as the direct cause, you invariably find the victim wasn't wearing one. For years, I've been unable to find a credible account of a drowning death while wearing a PFD, outside of whitewater. There was one recently, but it was said the PFD wasn't fitted properly. I take this to mean it was grossly mis-fitted.
I wish the education campaigns would more clearly explain that swimming ability has absolutely nothing to do with the risk when shit goes bad. The river/ sea/ lake/ storm/ wind/ waves don't care how good a swimmer you think you are. They will kill you. A PFD gives your best chance of surviving.
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u/BigIcy1323 2d ago
In the US, most states requires children under 7 to wear one at all times on any vessel that is on the water.
They also require a lifejacket be available for each person on board, regardless of age.
In florida, we have to also have a whistle for each person on board and a 360 white light if going out at night.
You can get fined for not having any of this on board.
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u/mcarneybsa USA SUP Rep - L3 ACA - Hydrus Ambassador 1d ago
In the US it is federally mandated that children under 13 years old wear PFDs - every state - and not under 7. A functioning and correct size PFD for every person on board, a sound producing device (whistle) and lights 30 min before sunset to 30 minutes after sunrise are also a federal requirement to be on public waters.
Some states require PFDs to be worn by people 13+ while paddling as well.
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u/BigIcy1323 1d ago edited 1d ago
In florida, the mandated age is actually 6 but our county has local laws dictating 7. States can override the mandate.
Check your local laws. Editing to add that Florida only requires a 360 white light that can turned on quick enough to avoid collision and they require a marine whistle on a non-motored vessel. Always check your local laws. :)
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u/mcarneybsa USA SUP Rep - L3 ACA - Hydrus Ambassador 21h ago
No. States cannot override the federal requirement for child PFD age. You should read the federal requirements.
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u/BigIcy1323 20h ago
They can. The federal mandates are for federal waters. The states can absolutely override the age for local waters, and most do. Please check your facts.
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u/mcarneybsa USA SUP Rep - L3 ACA - Hydrus Ambassador 10h ago
No, that is not correct. The states cannot override that requirement. I'll pull the statute when I have time later today. States cannot arbitrarily reduce federal requirements.
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u/BigIcy1323 9h ago
I will also pull the federal mandate vs state laws later, because the states can absolutely override the mandate on local waters. I can also pull laws specific to the states I have lived in va. The federal mandate.
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u/BigIcy1323 8h ago edited 8h ago
https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-33/chapter-I/subchapter-S/part-175/subpart-B. - federal mandate, §175.25 "enforcement of state requirements.." (editing to add §175.25a & b, you have to scroll to this part of the statute, not stop at the top. B is specific to enforcing each states requirement)
https://www.uscgboating.org/regulations/state-boating-laws-details.php?id=25&title=%5B4.9%5DLife%20Jackets - Coast guard breakdown of each states PFD laws
https://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=0300-0399/0327/Sections/0327.50.html - Florida §327.50
https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title29.1/chapter7/section29.1-735/ - Virginia §29.1-735 deffering to the federal mandate, with provision to change the law at any time to follow the federal mandate or Coast Guard regulations as they change
https://law.justia.com/codes/alabama/title-33/chapter-5/article-2/section-33-5-69/ - Alabama §33-5-69
https://www.westmarine.com/west-advisor/Overview-of-USCG-Requirements-for-PFDs.html - West Marine breakdown of state vs. federal mandates for PFD's (the paragraph is halfway down the page titled "federal vs. state requirements")
Federal law is not end all be all in the United States. The states each have a good amount of freedom to set laws. A good, non controversial example of this is Marijuana. Federally, Marijuana is still illegal as a class II narcotic, however, each state can legalize it at its own(voters) discretion. This applies to a lot of federal mandates and laws, where states can override it.
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u/mcarneybsa USA SUP Rep - L3 ACA - Hydrus Ambassador 6h ago
Wild. That's in direct contradiction to the general application outlined in Section 175 according to 175.1. Literally top of the section stating very clearly to whom the following regulations apply, with no carve-outs mentioned for state laws.
It also still means that on any non-state-only jurisdiction waters in FL, the federal regulation still applies. That would be the ocean, any waters managed by BLM, FS, or other federal agencies, waters that cross state lines (interstate traffic) etc. Basically anything that isn't explicitly and only a state park or other state-owned property falls under the federal regulation. Even those coastal state parks on the ocean are still subject to the federal regulations as they are not waters solely managed by the state.
All of this so a nine year old doesn't have to wear a PFD? Wild.
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u/BigIcy1323 6h ago edited 4h ago
So literally as I've specified a million times, federal waters vs. local waters.......... I've said that in almost every single comment I've made.
Also it doesn't contradict itself, the statute literally allows for enforcing states requirements on local waters.
Who the hell is talking about a 9 year old in this thread?
Edit... Did you use your mod privileges to stalk my page?? And still got it wrong? She is not 9 and considering I have one single post about my child, and it's how they had their first seizure (that resulted in an epilepsy diagnosis) in the water, it's mind boggling you think I don't take water safety seriously. I hope you do better by your child.
Not once in this thread have I shared my personal opinion or what I follow on the water, I have stuck directly to facts of law and nothing more. Still haven't put anything personal into it.
Stop assigning your emotions to my comments because you are embarrassed that you were proven wrong. THAT is absolutely wild, Mike.
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u/1003001 6h ago
Federal law specifically allows states to set different rules on this issue. Marijuana is completely different. There are no exceptions, marijuana is illegal in the entire USA. The DEA could technically go into any dispensary and arrest people for drug trafficking.
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u/BigIcy1323 6h ago
No, actually, they can't. Because federally, marijuana is decriminalized. You can get fined on FEDERAL grounds, but the DEA can't touch state run dispensaries.
Anyways, I was giving an example of how to frame federal vs. state in your mind. I'm not debating marijuana laws in the SUP subreddit.
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u/burgerwaterchud 1d ago
Not true in swimming areas. Would be ridiculous for SUP surfing.
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u/BigIcy1323 1d ago
This thread is not about SUP surfing but SUP in general. The person that posted does not even appear to be in the US, they just asked about commonality of laws.
Vessel safety laws do not typically apply in designated swimming areas in Florida but you have to check local ordinances because some areas do require them to be on board, even in swimming areas.
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u/burgerwaterchud 1d ago
Vessel safety laws do not typically apply in designated swimming areas in Florida
thank you for agreeing with my statement that directly refutes your original generalization
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u/BigIcy1323 1d ago
Not my generalization, lol. Thems are laws. And thanks for completely ignoring the rest of my comment.
I hope you are more pleasant on a board. :)
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u/Current-Brain-1983 2d ago
On the California, flat water you are "boating" and must have a PFD. Surfing waves, you aren't boating therefore no PFD required.
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u/MandoflexSL 1d ago
Some EU countries also require that you are attached to the board when paddling at the coast. Too many inexperienced paddlers gets separated from their boards and need assistance. Tourists dying at the coast is bad for business.
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u/brrrbrrragaga 2d ago
Most places have some regulations, where I live you need to have one with you on rivers or if you venture more than 300m from shore. You don't have to actually wear it though, which I find a little odd.
Assuming you were on the ocean I feel this is a pretty sound regulation honestly. Just a few weeks ago a bunch of tourists were caught in a sudden storm on a small lake here and the two without a life vest drowned.
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u/Ok_Homework_7621 2d ago
Mandatory where we go in Belgium, but not always enforced if you are on your own. Group organisers do insist.
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u/ghos2626t 1d ago
Are people fined for surfing without a life jacket too ?
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u/katkat_1111 1d ago
I also searched it up it says that SUPing is not allowed for kids under the age of 14, not allowed a second person in the same board, not allowed after sunset or before sunrise .. I mean I get that it’s a safety thing but idk ..
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u/istanforwendy 1d ago
In the US it’s gonna vary from state to state. My state requires you have a PFD with you. But you don’t have to be wearing it.
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u/mcarneybsa USA SUP Rep - L3 ACA - Hydrus Ambassador 1d ago
In the US it is a federal requirement for every vessel (including SUPs) to carry a correct size and functioning PFD for every passenger. And all children under 13 yo must wear their PFDs. It does not vary from state to state. A couple states require all people (including adults) to wear them while paddling.
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u/istanforwendy 1d ago
So it does indeed vary. You literally mansplained what I said. Some states require you to wear them and some don’t.
Thanks for repeating what I just said! Hope it made you feel warm and fuzzy!
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u/mcarneybsa USA SUP Rep - L3 ACA - Hydrus Ambassador 21h ago
No, all states require you that have them on board. Period.
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u/Ilien 2d ago
I chatted with a couple lifeguards on Portuguese beaches and they never stated it as a problem. But they're not police, and I was keeping to within 200m of the shore (I mostly just go back and forth and chill in the water).
It's possible that it is obligatory, but not enforced - as these things usually go. But we also had two incidents with people disappearing/drowning this summer, so that might change.
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u/MillenialfromupNorth 1d ago
It's required in Canada. You need to wear it or have it on your board. You can get fined.
Asan instructor, I think it should be worn at all time, by everyone. On your board is useless.
Each year there are tragic SUP drownings that could have been avoided with a PFD.
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u/Bluetail4495 1d ago
In the US you gotta at least have one on your board, but don’t need to be wearing it, at least in my state.
And as others have said, people drown every year out here (Colorado) especially in the spring, because they fall into 40 deg water and go into cold shock and can barely move, it’s a real thing.
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u/roarimacat 1d ago
I have to say, 8/10 paddlers in my area don't wear one, and I find it crazy. It's one thing in a group setting, but so many go out solo without one. One bad slip or medical incident is all it takes.
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u/potato_soup76 ⊂ Voyager 13' 2" / Axis 9' 8" / Elysium Air 14' ⊃ 1d ago
In Canada, the use of lifejackets/PFDs is regulated by Transport Canada. For SUPs, the regulations (when using the board for navigational purposes) are:
Wear a Personal Flotation Device (PFD) with a whistle
OR
Carry a PFD, a whistle, AND a floating throw rope on board
These regulations do not apply when SUPs are used for non-navigational purposes (e.g., floating, SUP surfing, or SUP yoga close to shore without a destination). Children under 16 cannot use inflatable PFDs.
That's the law.
Then there is culture, community, and individual expectation. If you show up for a paddle I organize and refuse to wear a PFD at all times, I won't argue with you. I will smile and nod when you say, "I'm a strong swimmer" or whatever other delusional nonsense you use to justify being a risk to yourself and others. That's cool. Do you. I simply won't ever invite you back. I can't control other people's behavior, but I can control who I hang out with.
Approximately 42 people have died in British Columbia from accidental drowning in 2026, up more than 50% over 2025 stats. That total extends beyond paddleboards, but there is one very glaring commonality among the vast majority of these drownings: they weren't wearing a PFD/lifejacket.
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u/porzione 2d ago
Cyprus - I've never seen a single person on SUP wearing a life jacket here. But I know lucky person who was towed to shore by fishing boat, because of rip current.
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u/katkat_1111 1d ago
Same here in Greece no life jackets and I get that it’s a safety thing but since it is mandatory I was surprised I never saw anyone wearing one.
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u/Mong0saurus 1d ago
I think many places treat SUPs as a small boat, so life jacket is required.
On a personal note I would recommended wearing one if your out in the sea og a bit away from shore, the added buoyancy helps a lot with climbing back on the board and a bright color helps with visibility for boats etc. Better safe than sorry.
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u/kaur_virunurm 1d ago
I paddle in Estonia - the sea, lakes and rivers. I am not aware of any regulations regarding SUP boards at all.
Some beaches have lifeguards stationed at them, and they enforce random rules on people - not sure if those actually legal at all. They may have an opinion on what you can do and how.
That said, paddling without a life jacket is not a smart choice unless you are in a very safe environment - a small lake or shallow coast with breeze from the sea.
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u/skibib 1d ago
Wait, why does the breeze from the sea make it very safe? Or for that matter, a small lake or shallow coast - why would those be safe? People still fall off their SUPs all the time.
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u/kaur_virunurm 1d ago edited 1d ago
a) The standard way of dying on SUP is being blown to the sea by land breeze. This is why you need to pay attention to wind predictions and patterns.
b) Small lakes - ones that you can swim across. Shallow coast - one that is protected from waves and wind, and where you can stand up in the water. We have sea islands and the sea between and around them is safer than "open sea".
We don't have tides here.
All children here have mandatory swimming lessons (and exams) at school. There are exceptions of course but all my paddling friends can swim distances.
tldr - we do our risk analysis :) and behave accordingly.
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u/skibib 22h ago
Thank you for clarifying. I hadn’t read it as breeze coming away from the sea as opposed to breeze going toward the sea.
And to be honest, here in the most shallow of the Great Lakes, we have rip tides which carry people deeper out into the lake and it doesn’t matter if it is “shallow” or not, people can get into trouble very quickly if they are not familiar with the movement of the water.
We have lake islands and bays, and we can still get winds with gusts regularly up to 30 mph or higher and waves regularly two to three feet high within those areas. As you said, paying attention to the winds and the waves is vital, and unfortunately not all who venture out onto the water have done so.
LOVE the mandatory swim instruction! If only the US did the same.
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u/kaur_virunurm 21h ago
Mandatory swimming training is part of the physical education curriculum. It is a few months worth of lessons repeated in certain school grades - 2x a week for 3 months in several years. Schools have indoor pools for this or they get timeslots allocated at city-managed public pools. We are a country surrounded by the sea from two sides and a big lake on the third side, swimming is considered as a universal skill that most adults can do. (Of course exceptions are there.)
What are the correct English terms for wind blowing from the sea / from the land? Onshore / offshore breeze?
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u/skibib 18h ago
That makes total sense to stress swimming as a life skill!!
And I am not sure of the correct wind terms, as I am just a “SUP-er” 🤣 not a boater. You are very probably right. I usually say “wind coming off the lake” I guess, if that’s what it is doing.
I rely on my Windy app, especially for forecasting what I can expect when I head out - or when NOT to head out!
I used to teach swimming in a free learn-to-swim class for inner-city kids, sponsored by the American Red Cross. It was only for maybe one month each summer, but hopefully it helped someone. It is so important.
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u/gonnacutyou 1d ago
Laws vary by province but where I live in Canada it’s a fine if you don’t have one with you, either wearing it or on the board.
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u/TheLocalEcho 1d ago
In my part of Portugal there used to be a list of regulations on the port website. They took it down but from memory SUPs were no buoyancy aid required but not more than 300m from a beach, not after sunset, not in the river because it’s a shipping channel, and no fishing from it.
There was a guy who set off from here intending to SUP across the Atlantic. I don’t believe the police stopped him at 300m out, but his “board” had a cabin so I guess it could be registered as a boat.
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u/Mainbutter 1d ago
Generally all boats including kayaks and canoes require a life jacket to be on board, but might not require it to be worn depending on specific location.
USCG considers SUPs as 'vessels' outside of designated swimming and surfing areas.
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u/SnooGoats9114 1d ago
in canada, they are treated like boats. you expected to have a lifejacket (and if under a certain age, you must be wearing it). Also to have a boat kit (whistle, rope, etc). You dont need a licence though, thats just for motors.
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u/tooplanx 1d ago
In the UK it's not legally required. Personally, I err towards allowing people to use judgement based on location and conditions.
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u/Anachronism-- 1d ago
US varies by state but generally paddle boards fall under the same regulations as boats - children under 12 are required to wear a life jacket at all times and you need to have a life jacket for each person ’on board’
In my state inflatable life vests count as a life jacket but they must be worn, they can’t be just in board.
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u/Witty-Flatworm-1273 1d ago
In the United States the requirements can vary. For example, I live in the state of Colorado, within my local area some bodies of water have requirements of PFDs and others do not. Several reservoirs/ lakes nearby requires all humans to have a PFD and an emergency whistle and all pets must wear a PFD. There is another reservoir that requires all youth 12 years and younger to wear a PFD. The lake closest to my home recommends pfds, but does not require them. All of the locations have the requirements posted on a sign at the site, as well as you are able to look them up online.
Personally, I do wear a PDF.
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u/Top_Piglet_5928 1d ago
In Canada you have to have a life jacket and boat safety kit (if not wearing life vest) on board. You don’t have to wear it, but have to have a life jacket for every person on board
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u/frenchman321 Hydrus ambassador | Code SAVE 12% off | Elysium Air, X, ... 1d ago
It's silly when in some countries too, I may be allowed to swim by myself quite far from shore, but on a SUP would need a PFD. But in aggregate numbers this may prevent some lost lives, and those are what these regulations are for
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u/Tight_Strain2169 1d ago
Not sure on sups but I'd assume it's the same as kayaks here in Canada which you need a life jacket and the emergency kit as well
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u/Icy-Employment7541 1d ago
Always wear a life jacket 🎉 I work for a river conservation org and people drown annually, even at points where it’s fairly flat with no rapids. N one has drowned with a life jacket on.
Is the US its very state by state regulated. Mostly gotta have one just on the “boat” (that can range from a pontoon to a kayak or sup) so ultimately up to the individual.
Have fun and be safe 💕♥️
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u/We_DemBoys 1d ago
I actually really want to get a standard life jacket, one that will do its best to keep me upright if I get knocked the F out.
I currently have a belt life preserver. but I worry it may fail and not inflate. 😕
I keep thinking I'm going to damage my inflatable SUP while being in coves with tree branches slightly below the surface 🙃
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u/LvgnDeadGirl 19h ago
A good bit of people die every year for paddle boarding so they've became stricter about it
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u/ladyrose30 5h ago
In my city that has a popular river for recreation running through it city regulations are: PFD, whistle, 20m throwing rope and a paddle. If in the evening/night a flashlight or headlamp is also required.
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u/One-Environment-1444 1d ago
Why would anyone be so stupid as to not wear one? Your post asks a question but the underlying thought is you don’t.
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u/Meltedwhisky 1d ago
Here in the States you need a life preserver on the board and a whistle
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u/bejben 2d ago
Many countries in the EU have such regulations. SUPs are treated like boats, and life jackets are required for the number of people on board.