The U.S. Coast Guard is developing a national set of recreational paddling and rowing standards. In an effort to garner public opinion, the Coast Guard is soliciting the opinions regarding these soon-to-created standards via an online survey.

The survey is here.

Because the number of kayakers, canoers, paddleboarders, stand-up paddleboarders, and rowers are significantly increasing, the U.S. Coast Guard has increased concerns over safety. The Coast Guard is hopeful that public input will help shape the first round of standards to be established by the Coast Guard. Eventually, the standards will be incorporated in recreational boating training programs across the United States.

The online survey (here) takes no more than 20 minutes.

From what we have seen on crowded waterways, newbie and veteran boaters are largely aware of each other, but much less so when it comes to open water swimmers cruising along at water level.

Copyright © 2013 by Open Water Swimming