But What About the Critters? Paddling and Animal Encounters
But What About the Critters When Paddling? Every now and then we see posts on social media from new or prospective paddlers who worry about…
Tag: safety
Blown a Mile Offshore: What Would You Do?
Blown a mile offshore: What Would You Do? Several news stories captured my attention over the last few days, prompting me to again think about…
Paddling Awareness: Understand the Risks of Standup Paddling
Editor’s Note: It should be obvious that all of us at Paddle Monster LOVE paddling – we want everyone to love it! But if you…
SUP Travel: Let’s Talk about Waves and Beach Launches
SUP Travel: Let’s Talk about Waves and Beach Launches All this month, I am working from home which is Maui, Hawaii. (I know, I know,…
How to Know Which SUP Leash to Use
How do I know which SUP leash to use? Buying a SUP? Don’t forget to get a leash to go with it! Leashes save lives.…
Knowing When It’s Okay to Go Paddling: How to Improve your Skills Safely
How do we know when its okay to go paddling? It’s raining. It’s kind of windy. There are whitecaps. The waves look big. How do…
Paddling Solo Safely: Tech that Will Give You Peace of Mind
Using Tech for Paddling Alone Safely A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, I wrote a post on handy apps to help…
Safety First – A Primer on How to Get Back to Paddling Safely
How to Get Back To Paddling Safely It’s that time of year -many of us are returning to our favorite paddle spots, so it’s time…
What You Should do Before that First Spring Paddle
Ah spring! That wonderful time of year when nature explodes after the dark, dank grey of winter and re-ignites our paddling souls! The air temperature…
Leashes 101: It’s that Time Again
It’s time to talk about leashes. Why we need them. What kind to use. What kind not to use and how to take care of…
USCG 2019 Recreational Boating Statistics and Paddling
The U.S. Coast Guard has released its accident, injury and death statistics for 2019 and as always the results are interesting. Here are the top…
Inflatable PFDs – Practice Deployment Might Just Save Your Life
You may have read in a past Paddle Monster (Mullet) article about safety and knowing your paddle ohana – that something as simple as knowing…
Strap It Down! Tips for Racking Your Paddle Craft
Ways to Help Avoid Roof Rack Catastrophes Last week I did something I have done a thousand times: loaded my surfski and my 9’4” SIC…
Another Casualty – Watch Over Your Ohana and Don’t Take Safety for Granted
It’s with incredible sadness that another friend in our paddle community, Josh Hensley, has passed. After another paddle death, the community world-wide mourns. We just…
Staying Safe on Holiday Weekends with examples for Wrightsville Beach
Holiday Weekends are dangerous for paddlers. Mostly because people have an easier time getting a 32-foot motorboat into the water and up to full throttle…
Costco Promotes Paddle Safety
Costco Magazine Features Leashes and PFDs Giving a hat tip to Costco – the warehouse retailer that often is the gateway for new SUP and…
Safety on the Carolina Cup Graveyard Course
How to have a Great Graveyard Course at the Carolina Cup When it comes to safety at Wrightsville Beach, Dave Baker is the man. If…
Safety Checklist for the Carolina Cup
Safety Gear for Paddle Racing First time doing the Carolina Cup, or any race this year? Not sure what to bring? Here’s our checklist for…
Gear Overview: Knives for Paddling
Knives for Paddling: A good Idea I distinctly remember the first pocket knife my blade-obsessed father gave me. It was a small pen knife, with…
Infographics: Leashes and PFDS
Quick References for Key SUP Safety Gear The American Canoe and Kayak Association has come up with some handy infographics to quickly and clearly communicate…
The Inland Paddler: Cold Weather Paddling is Here! Yay!
Embrace Cold Weather Paddling! Okay. I am trying. Really I am. And I am about 75 percent more sincere about rejoicing over the fact that…
Safety: It Doesn’t Stop With SUPs
A Safety Tale of Three Paddlers This summer, we wrote quite a bit about accidents involving paddlers who did not wear PFDs or leashes –…
How To Video: Surf Ski Rescue
Assisted Surf Ski Rescues Helping a fellow paddler is something we all will likely have to do at one point or another. Knowing how to…
Book Review: Surf Survival: The Surfer’s Health Handbook
Surf Survival: The Surfer’s Health Handbook Authors: Andrew Nathanson,MD, Clayton Everline, MD, Mark Renneker, MD Amazon: $7.95 paperback A little over a week ago, I…
The Inland Paddler: Filleted by the Fin
When SUP Fins Act Like Chef’s Knives It was a nice, beautiful Carolina morning at Wrightsville Beach. A small rain squall was moving offshore, little…