BOISE -- As temperatures rise, an increasing number of Idahoans are taking to the rivers, ponds and reservoirs on stand-up paddle boards.
"We've been doing it about every week and it's a lot of fun," said Boise resident Angie Beauchaine. "You see a lot of people different levels out there and different ages and they're having a great time out there in the water."
In 2008, the U.S.. Coast Guard determined that paddle boards are considered to be a vessel when used outside of a swimming, surfing, or a bathing area.
"As soon as they deemed that they fell under all the boating regulations that any other vessels out here would," said Hyrum Jones, Field Commander for Marine Patrol.
That means there are certain pieces of equipment that must be used just as you would on a boat. Jones says there are three things they look for on a paddle board.
"One is that the person on the board has a life jacket and that's a U.S.. Coast Guard certified life jacket proper fit and size," said Jones.
"I think it's a great idea, especially when I see five kids in a boat out there, I love that they have that vest on," said Beauchaine.
Officials say if you're under the age of 14, you must be wearing a life jacket while on a paddle board.
"If you're over 14 you can just have it on your vessel it doesn't necessarily have to be on you, It just has to be on your craft," said Anna George with Idaho River Sports. "It's really important, it just adds a degree of safety that you don't have to worry about as much when you have one on."
Jones says a life jacket isn't all that they're expecting paddleboarders to have.
"The second thing we're looking for is a sound producing device, whether it be a whistle, whether that be a foghorn whatever they can manage to have on board there," said Jones. "The last thing that they need is that invasive species sticker. They need to have that fixed to the board."
But the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation says those water enthusiasts may not know they could be risking tickets and fines if their boards don't follow the state's boating and safety requirements.
Users who don't have the proper safety equipment on board can face a $99 fine, while those lacking the Invasive Species Sticker can be fined $72.
In addition, anyone operating a stand-up paddle board while under the influence of drugs or alcohol can be arrested and charged with operating under the influence, according to the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation.
Idaho has only one documented death involving a stand-up paddle board, but Dahms said that the number of fatalities across the country are rising, along with the popularity of the boards.
A list of retailers where Invasive Species Stickers can be purchased is available here.
