Stand-up paddleboarding has become increasingly popular in Taiwan, with many people enjoying the activity at Taoyuan's Shih-men Reservoir. However, these activities have also led to some anxiety among nearby boat operators.
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An incident at Taoyuan's Shih-men Reservoir on October 7 raised concerns when a stand-up paddle enthusiast was spotted dangerously navigating into the wrong area.
The water sports training center, where people can go to enjoy all kinds of water activities, is close to the main reservoir and the yacht harbor. While there are clear distinctions between zones for passenger ferries and fishing routes, as well as the areas allocated for water sports, problems can still arise.
The paddle-boarder was seen venturing out of designated watersports zones and into the area where boats operate. Unfortunately, several similar instances have occurred and people have been seen engaging in watersports activities without obtaining the proper authorization.
One boat operator expressed his concerns, saying that when SUP users are registered and confined to specific areas, navigating around them poses no issues. However, he says problems arise when people come without prior approval and that it is a safety risk to have SUPs in the same area as boats.
Ms. Huang, a provider of water sports activities, explained the incident, saying that the leading individual had taken a detour and slightly deviated from the designated route. However, she said they had obtained all the necessary authorization for being on the water.
The incident serves as a reminder for all water sports enthusiasts. As water activities continue to grow in popularity, ensuring safety and respecting designated areas is crucial.