Stand Up for Great Lakes (SUFGL) has launched a public safety announcement focusing on stand-up paddleboard (SUP) safety. Alongside wearing a life jacket, being tethered to your board with a leash can be a life-saving decision. Without a leash, if you fall into the water, your board can drift away quickly. Especially in the spring, when water temperatures can still be in the 30s (°F), every second counts. If you’re unable to get back onto your board, hypothermia can set in fast. Wearing a leash could save your life.
“This issue is incredibly important to us,” said Kwin Morris, co-founder of SUFGL. “We truly believe this information can save lives—and we’re committed to getting it out there.”
“While paddling in cold water, using a leash is absolutely essential,” said Jeff Guy, co-founder of SUFGL. “After a fall, a leash keeps your board within reach so you can hop back on. Without one, you’re left floating, and hypothermia can set in within minutes.”
“The law only requires a life jacket—and that’s important—but it’s not the whole picture,” added Joe Lorenz, co-founder of SUFGL. “In cold water, staying connected to your board with a leash can be what truly keeps you alive.”
“A video like this is so important to share right now—when the weather is warm but the water is cold,” said Stephanie Adkins, president of SUFGL. “If we can help save just one life because someone saw this message and took it to heart, then we’ve done our job.”