Standup Zone Forum
Stand Up Paddle => SUP Safety => Topic started by: Ichabod Spoonbill on December 13, 2018, 06:33:29 PM
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I've mentioned before that I have a nonprofit I'm working on, called HVH2O. It's goal is to create a paddlesports and environmental center on my town's waterfront, providing access and water education to people of all incomes. Part of our plan was to use a kayak launch that the city had built specifically for an organization such as ours. That's the good news. The bad news is that the launch was built a bit cheaply, and the pilings that kept it in place were damaged by last winter's ice. Now the good news from that is that the city wants to repair it, but also wants my organization's input into any additions.
This begs the question - what would a great SUP launch point look like? Is there anything specific we could consider adding? It already has a rolling section for kayaks and a nice slip to put in a boat. Do any of you have any suggestions that we could ask of my (very small) city? Besides a burrito stand, espresso bar, and ice cream truck of course.
I hope the pictures make it clear what the launch looks like. And ignore that nerd of the paddleboard.
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It looks fine. I'd add some kind of guards to the top of the pilings. People tend to grab onto them for stability. It's easy and squirm-worthy to imagine someone losing their balance and face planting onto these pipe ends.
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Community Boating in Boston has the perfect setup....floating beach. They slope down into the water...paddle onto it and step off stable. Great ease of access.
We used to run an event there and they put these in when they built new docks about 6 or 7 years ago. Not sure what your budget is but I expect these are pretty pricey....they got a huge grant and spared no expense. The part that isn't beach is big and was built using 2" x 6" purpleheart.... :o. You might find something similar though.....I think I've seen something like it in plastic.
https://www.community-boating.org/
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A beach...
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That's a good idea, Bill. Those pillars should be capped because people do grab them for support.
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Ichy,
You could add a couple of these industrial catwalks and submerse them maybe 6" or 12". You could then paddle over them and step off into the water shin deep. Similar to a harbor beach or lake shore launch. They are indestructible and 4' x 12'. There a number of grid patterns. I'm not sure which would be the safest as far as toes getting caught, or comfort to walk on. Maybe 3 steps and a handrail going down to the under water platform? https://bedfordreinforced.com/product/1-x-34-x-34-square-grid/
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I'm going to look into the platform. That little cover is pretty tidal, about a 3 foot difference, and the bottom is pure mud. I really appreciate these ideas. We want to be able to bring the city a couple of suggestions so we can put our mark on the place.
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Check out the SeaTrek in Sausalito CA website. The have a floating dock they use for kayaks and SUPs.