Attention, Paddle Boarders: You Must Wear a Life Jacket — It’s the Law!

I read a story about people drowning while paddle-boarding and the number of deaths was quite alarming: 11 fatalities, including three in Washington state.

Whether you realize it or not, a stand-up paddle-board is considered a small vessel, and users are required to wear a life jacket or face an $87 fine. Children 13 and younger must wear a vest at all times!

All three paddle-boarding deaths in Washington were because the paddle-boarders were not wearing life vests.

Paddle-boarding became popular in Hawaii many years ago and is now popular around the globe.

So by all means, try paddle-boarding -- it looks like a blast. But PLEASE wear a life vest. It could save your life!