Source
r/Sup•
wadowsky

SUP surfing and life vest/PFD question. Surfers don’t wear pfds because it makes it hard to paddle etc. what about sup surfing though?

I tried surfing and switched to paddle boarding because it’s a bit less intense and I love lakes. I’d like to try sup surfing at some point and wondering whether it would be too dorky to try to sup surf with a pfd? One of the reasons why I stopped surfing was the fear of getting wiped out (which I know will happen again), so the pfd would help with the peace of mind. Sup surfing doesn’t entail paddling with arms so it should be possible to do it with a vest on? Thanks!

Posted Jul 17, 2020, 11:12 PM UTC

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fisharms77•

I just use one of those fanny pack looking PFDs. Keeps my arms free. I also have a vest specifically for paddling sports that keeps my arms pretty free.

6
wadowskyOP•

Good call, thank you!

3
SWFL_170•

SUP paddling can still be intense with the risk wiping out. I’m not going to sugarcoat anything. If your afraid of falling and drowning then you probably shouldn’t do SUP surfing. There will probably be times when you have to get down and paddle out like traditional surfing.

You can take precautions though like:

Only go out in relatively calm waters for surfing(we aren’t filming the next Point Break)

Go with other people so you can watch out for each other

If you go alone, make sure that other people are around. Never surf completely alone!!!!

Don’t ever feel dorky for wearing PFDs, EVER! If you feel the need then go on ahead.

3
wadowskyOP•

yes you are totally right! Im in SoCal and the waves can be pretty mellow...but when I did surf in Venice Beach and elsewhere, I definetly got a sense of what it's like to be under a dark, big, heavy wave...totally with you on the safety stuff. I've also thought about taking sup surfing lessons specifically, but that's complicated rn with corona.

2
mcarneybsaACA Instructor ⊂ Hydrus Barracuda, NSP Ninja, iSUPs ⊃•

Don't ever make decisions about your safety and comfort based on what others may think you look like.

Go check out some of the badass SUP river surfers on Instagram they are in PFDs, helmets, shoes and they fucking shred.

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