Oregon paddlesports at the helm of new Fit to Float safety initiative

As reported in Paddling Magazine, the Fit to Float® program began with a discussion between the Oregon State Marine Board and Zac Kauffman from Sawyer Paddles & Oars about a push for broader life jacket education, a conversation that took place on the Sawyer Paddles & Oars on-water podcast. The idea materialized into the dream of a statewide life jacket fitting day.

Together with support of the Oregon State Marine Board, the ACA, the US Coast Guard Auxiliary and other partners, Sawyer Paddles & Oars has created a replicable model of a statewide Fit to Float® life jacket fitting and awareness day. Any prospective paddler or family of paddlers can show up at a participating location, try on a variety of life jackets and learn about proper fit and the importance of life jackets when paddling. The event is for all, but particularly created with families in mind to help parents find a life jacket that their children can wear both comfortably and safely. "The whole concept is if the kids have a life jacket that fits and fits well, they’ll want to wear it,” shared Kauffman.

Fit to Float ® initiative - in partnership with Oregon State Marine Board and Sawyer Paddles and Oars (Zac Kauffman)