Report: Paddle boarding deaths on the rise

A new report says paddle boarding deaths were up in 2015. According to an annual state report, half of the 16 people who died in boating accidents in New York last year were on paddle boards. So

News 12 Staff

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Jul 5, 2016, 1:39 AM

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Updated 3,091 days ago

A new report says paddle boarding deaths were up in 2015.

According to an annual state report, half of the 16 people who died in boating accidents in New York last year were on paddle boards.

So far this year, a Long Islander paddle boarding near Atlantic Beach was killed and another from Connecticut died after being swept into the Long Island Sound.

U.S. Coast Guard regulations require anyone on board a kayak, canoe or paddle board to wear a personal floatation device.

Karen Martin, of South Shore Paddle Boards, strongly urges her customers to buy a tether to keep the board close, a whistle and a waterproof phone case to call for help in the event of an emergency.