Paddlesport Safety Training for 2022

Our waterways offer a unique opportunity to spend a day on the water enjoying the scenery in environmentally friendly modes of transportation – in a Kayak or Stand-up Paddleboard (SUP). To improve your safety while using a paddle craft the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, Flotilla 95, on Marco Island is offering a “Paddlesport Safety Training” course.

Class date: January 6, 2022, 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM 

Location: The USCG Auxiliary Station for Flotilla 95, Caxambas Park - 905 Collier Court, Marco Island

With 22.9 million Americans participating in paddling activities each year, there are an unfortunate number of paddling-related accidents, injuries, and fatalities. The United States Coast Guard reported that Paddlesport accidents from 2015 to 2017 resulted in 1,624 injuries and 758 deaths, but the number of incidents that go unreported is substantially larger.

Although some accidents are inevitable, there are simple ways to increase safety and reduce risk. For example, 30 percent of paddlers do not own a personal flotation device, and 26 percent do not file a float plan.

While paddling activities appear low risk, an alarmingly high 29 percent of incidents reported from 2015 to 2017 resulted in a fatality. In 2020, 85% of kayakers who drowned were not wearing PFDs.

Reasons for Paddlesport incidents vary, but more than three-quarters of reported incidents occur when there is clear visibility.

To help you reduce your chance of becoming a statistic, please consider taking a Paddlesport Safety Training course offered by US Coast Guard Flotilla 95 Marco Island.

This course will be taught by Don Rice, a USCG Certified Instructor and Vessel Examiner. Don has over 30 years of Canoe and Kayak experience both in the 10,000 Islands and the Pacific Northwest. Don has an ACA level four coastal instructor background and a kayak trip leader for Paradise Coast Paddlers Club, Southwest Florida Kayaking and the Kayak Adventure.

Group Course fee: $35

Registration Information: Contact Joe Riccio 

CGAUXCOURSES@GMAIL.COM

Future Course Dates:  Feb 24, 2022

To schedule your FREE Vessel Safety Check, please call: John Moyer, 239-248-7078 or Coast Guard Auxiliary Station – Flotilla 95, 239-394-5911 or email John at Jmoyer1528@aol.com.

For those interested in joining Flotilla 95, USCG Auxiliary, please contact Joe Grazzini at 239-272-9493 or ciscojmg@hotmail.com.

Saving Lives since 1939. The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary – A Proud Tradition, A Worthy Mission. For more information, please visit www.cgaux.org.