Eugene Kim / CC
The Department of Natural Resources is reminding Wisconsinites to remain careful on paddleboards.
With Summer in full swing and the 4th of July Holiday weekend coming up, the DNR is warning paddle boarders and anyone in canoes or kayaks to understand the risks.
These risks are only heightened when taking them out on Lake Michigan.
DNR Warden Isaac Hackett was on WOMT’s Be My Guest program last week, where he noted, “Paddle boards are becoming inherently dangerous. They are just not as maneuverable as boats and even canoes and kayaks. I think people don’t always understand that you have to have a life jacket when on a paddle board because it is considered a boat.”
He stressed the importance of life jackets when out on the water.
Not just for manually powered vessels, but for all boats.
“This last year, 27 out of the 28 fatalities, they were not wearing life jackets,” Hacket revealed. “It’s pretty alarming the amount of people that end up seriously injured or killed that don’t have life jackets with them. It’s almost like driving down the road without a seatbelt.”
Many paddle boarders are not experienced and are often trying it for the first time with many of them first getting on the water this 4th of July weekend.
This is even more reason to bring those life preservers along with you, they can be the difference between life and death.
You can hear the entire Be My Guest interview with Warden Hackett at SeehaferPodcasts.com.
