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First: observe and be clear-headed
As a preamble to any legal framework, you need to know how to understand and observe the water on which you're going to paddle. A minimum of seamanship is required to make the most of your paddle outing.
Check the weather forecast before you leave, and make sure there are no gales or thunderstorms, which are common in summer.
It's also important to know the wind strength and current direction. If the mistral or tramontana winds are blowing, don't go out if the water is open. You won't be able to get back to your starting point if you're caught in the flow.
In the English Channel and along the Atlantic coast, currents can be very violent during high tides. Paddleboarding remains a physical activity, and you need to know your limits.
The length defines the navigation category
Your paddleboard, whether inflatable or rigid and measuring less than 3.5 meters, is classified as a beach craft. Consequently, you must maintain a maximum distance of 300 meters from the coast.
If the length of your paddle is 3.50 meters or more, and it is an inflatable model equipped with several air chambers, or if you are sailing under the supervision of an instructor as part of a course, you are authorized to sail up to 2 nautical miles from a shelter.
In this case, you must equip yourself with the required equipment: a 50N minimum buoyancy vest, a leash, a towing device (attachment system and floating safety rope), and a lighted locating device.
Priority rules
When SUPing at sea, vessels with the least maneuvering capacity have priority. This means you have to give way to large motorboats and sailboats with limited maneuvering capacity. On the other hand, you have the right of way over small motorboats with no maneuvering restrictions.
In practice, however, keep your distance from boats and don't force your priority. In summer, there are a lot of occasional boaters, who don't necessarily know the rules and don't always have full control of their craft.
Between two SUP riders, priority is given to the one coming from the right, similar to the rule in force for motor vehicles. In the event of a head-on collision, you are required to move to your right, and therefore to the left of the other user.
