Paddling Deaths Remained High in 2021

[Glenn MacGrady]

This article summarizes U.S. Coast Guard recreational boating deaths in 2021:

Paddlesports Deaths Remained High In 2021, Coast Guard Data Shows

According to the reports, kayaks are listed as the vessel type with the second highest fatalities.

paddlingmag.com

"'Paddlecraft deaths still remain high, and kayaks are listed as the vessel type with the second highest fatalities behind open motorboats,' Emmons adds. There were 160 fatalities while kayaking, canoeing and paddleboarding in 2021, versus 164 in 2020."

• "In 2021, there were 96 fatalities while kayaking, compared to 112 in 2020"
• "In 2021, there were 46 fatalities while canoeing, compared to 42 in 2020"
• "In 2021, there were 18 fatalities while standup paddleboarding, compared to 10 in 2020"

Most recreational boating deaths were attributable to drowning because of lack of PFD's and/or alcohol.

Hence, you may be wise not to canoe with these foppish dandies:

 

[ScottS]

Aluminum rental canoes used to figure large in drownings - like 60-70%. And here, when they say "kayaks" you can bet that those boats
are cheap flatwater rec boats. They should really differentiate between whitewater and sea kayaks, and the ten foot long drag-it-across-the-parking-lot boats. Of course, the aluminum rental numbers have probably improved, because there's less of them

 

[Foxyotter]

Off course all preventable deaths are are not good but 160 seems pretty low. Especially considering what percentage of people paddling who appear clueless, unprepared and drinking. Floating might be better description then paddling.