NORTH SOUND, JUNE 2: The days continue to get longer as the calendar approaches the summer solstice on Friday, June 20. The year’s first 9 p.m. sunset in the North Sound was on Sunday, June 1.
With the longer days, temperatures are also warming up as the summer season draws near and that means more and more people will enjoy area waterways.
Walk into a club warehouse or sports retailer, and you’ll find paddleboards and kayaks staged near the doorway. In 2024, a survey found about 52% of Washington residents had participated in some form of paddle sports including kayaking, rowing and paddle boarding. That percentage is a rise of close to 28% from an earlier survey in 2017, just seven years prior.
Many of those enjoying paddle sports are new to this fun activity on the water. For all enjoying area waterways on human-powered vessels, sailboats, or power boats, remember to wear a properly fitted Coast Guard life jacket.
Area waterways including lakes, rivers and Puget Sound are cold, colder than 60 degrees. Cold water shock when accidentally falling into the water is the leading cause of drownings. The shock is like walking into a cold shower – the reflex is to gasp. That gasp takes in water rather than air. It only takes a half cup of water in your lungs to drown.
According to the Washington State Parks Boating Safety Program, in 2024, all but one person who drowned was not wearing a life jacket and the one who was got caught by a snag in a fast-moving river. Rescue crews note they quite often do not find drowning victims wearing a life jacket. Visit www.wearitwashington.org to learn about today’s comfortable and lightweight life jackets.
While using a paddleboard, be sure to use the board’s leash. If you accidently fall in the water, you unintentionally push the board away from you. Without using the leash, wind and/or water currents can take the board further away from you, making it much more difficult to recover the board and yourself.
And regarding human-driven paddle craft, be sure to label your craft with an ‘if found’ sticker. The sticker with the owner’s name and phone number will help avoid expensive search and rescue efforts for a found paddle craft with no one on board. Get a sticker online.
Did you know all boat operators and paddlers need a boater’s education card? It is important to get educated about the rules of the road on the water, boating safety and more, before heading out on the water. Visit www.boatered.org to learn how to get one including easy online courses. The boater education program has been around for 20 years, and early this May, a 19-year-old became the half-millionth person to receive their boater education card.
Communication is critical while on the water. All boaters should carry two forms of communication that will work when wet, such as a whistle, and waterproof marine radio and phone. Flares, a signal mirror and an air horn will help in case of emergency so responders can find you. Make sure all these communication tools are on board before heading out on the water.
Check the marine weather forecast before heading out on the water. Know before you go. If there are any advisories or warnings, or adverse weather, tide and current conditions, consider another day to enjoy the water. While on the water, monitor NOAA Weather Radio to maintain situation awareness. Remember, when you are weather aware, you are weather prepared.
Boat owners and operators are responsible for the safety of everyone on board. Operating a boat while under the influence of alcohol or drugs including marijuana, is illegal and unsafe. Always designate a sober skipper. Washington’s Boating under the Influence law applies to all boats including human-driven vessels like canoes, rowboats and inflatables. For more information about boating sober, visit the sober skipper program.
Parents and adults play a key role in setting good examples of water safety including wearing a life jacket. Remember by law, every child under 13 must wear a properly age-fitted life jacket when on the water. You can also post your fun-wearing life jacket photos on social media using the #WearItWa and #safeboatingweek.
With the longer days and warmer weather, enjoy our area waterways this season. Just do so safely.
