The body of a missing paddle boarder has been found in the Beaverdam Reservoir off Belmont Ridge Road, three days after she was first reported missing.
The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office released a statement Sunday afternoon.
“The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office is saddened to announce a body believed to be that of a 38-year-old Fairfax woman was recovered from the Beaverdam Reservoir Sunday morning. The female did not return to shore after paddle boarding by herself in the Beaverdam Reservoir on October 15. The LCSO and Loudoun (Fire Rescue) have conducted a search of the reservoir with the assistance of the Virginia State Police, and the Fairfax County Police Department helicopter and Search and Rescue K9 Teams, since she was reported missing Thursday night. We would also like to thank the community for your assistance. The name of the woman has not been released at this time.”
According to an LCSO spokesman, the woman began paddle boarding from the west bank of the reservoir on Thursday evening. She was reportedly not wearing a life vest. Her husband was waiting for her on shore, but at some point, lost sight of her. When it started to get dark, he alerted authorities.
The search began immediately, with boats out on the water, a helicopter, specially trained search dogs and emergency workers on foot. A command post was set up on Mount Hope Road at the reservoir. Over the next two days, the search continued, including the use of side-scanning sonar. The operation resumed Sunday morning when the woman’s body was discovered.
May God rest her soul.
About wearing a life vest – this shows how little people know about SUP. Why on earth would you wear a life vest when you’re literally attached to a large flotation device (or at least you’re supposed to be)? The article should read, “She was reportedly not wearing an ankle leash”. All paddle boards are sold with them. If you are a novice, then its a no-brainer…you wear the ankle leash. They are also critical for those rough condition days or when the water is dangerously cold.
Virginia boating equipment requirements state that all riders of PWC (including paddlecraft) must wear a type I, II, III or V life jacket. Seems a bit redundant for SUPs; but if you were to be knocked unconscious the vest would help to keep your body upright in the water, whereas a tether alone wouldn’t do anything.
May God rest her soul.
About wearing a life vest – this shows how little people know about SUP. Why on earth would you wear a life vest when you’re literally attached to a large flotation device (or at least you’re supposed to be)? The article should read, “She was reportedly not wearing an ankle leash”. All paddle boards are sold with them. If you are a novice, then its a no-brainer…you wear the ankle leash. They are also critical for those rough condition days or when the water is dangerously cold.
Life vests are a universal standard precaution taken when boating, jet skiing, windsurfing, paddle boarding, kayaking, canoeing, etc. An ankle cable is no substitute for a floatation device, it just makes it easier to retrieve a board; dropping a paddle might make it tempting to detach the cable.
That may not help if you slip and fall and hit your head on the paddle board and are knocked unconscious and slip into the water and drown because you don’t have a vest to save your life by keeping you upright in the water so you can breath even if you’re unconscious.
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