Can I Canoe The River Cam?

The River Cam is a great place to canoe or kayak. You can canoe along any section that we look after including the upper River in Grantchester, the Backs and the Lower River out through to Waterbeach.

Can you boat on the River Cam?

Guidance for visiting boats
The River Cam offers some great boating through beautiful countryside which can take you to the historic centre of Cambridge. Please observe our Byelaws whilst on the River, ensuring that everyone’s experience of the River is peaceful and pleasant.

Do I need a licence to paddle board on the River Cam?

The waterways in this trail are managed by Canal and Rivers Trust and require paddlers to hold a licence.

Do you need permission to canoe on a Canal?

Yes, everyone is welcome to canoe on our canals and rivers. However, you will need to get a small craft license before paddling on the water.

Is the River Cam navigable?

The River Cam is navigable from Cambridge to the junction with the Great Ouse, at Pope’s Corner.

How deep is the River Cam?

The usual range of the River Cam at Cambridge Jesus Lock is between 0.64m and 0.74m. It has been between these levels for 90% of the time since monitoring began. The typical recent level of the River Cam at Cambridge Jesus Lock over the past 12 months has been between 0.63m and 0.76m.

Can I canoe on canals?

According to the Canal and River Trust, unpowered craft are not permitted through certain canal tunnels. If you are allowed to use a tunnel, make sure you have a light such as head torch and whistle so you can warn others of your presence, and travel in a group if possible.

Can I canoe on any river in the UK?

If you’re kayaking, canoeing or stand up paddleboarding in England or Wales a waterway licence is required to paddle on over 5000km of waterways that are managed by the Canal & River Trust, the Environment Agency, the Broads Authority and a number of other waterway authorities.

Can you just paddle board anywhere?

Although weather conditions can influence your trip, you can stand up paddle board on any body of water. Rivers, ponds, lakes, and oceans are the most common locations for paddle boarding. However, more people are using paddle boards at whitewater locations, icy ravines, and indoor pools.

Do you need a licence to kayak in a river?

If you’re paddling on the sea, estuaries or tidal water, or on a river or canal which doesn’t require a licence, then that’s fine, you don’t need one. There are also options to purchase a day licence. A Rivers licence is not a tax. The income is used for the benefit of paddlers.

Will a canoe sink if filled with water?

Like any boat, canoes can sink if filled with water. Fortunately, there are many factors that can work together to mitigate the risk of both capsizing your canoe and the risk of having your capsized canoe sink.

Can 1 person go in a 2 person canoe?

The best style of tandem kayak for one person is a sit-on-top with removable and adjustable seats. It is definitely possible to paddle a sit-inside tandem kayak or one with molded-in seats by yourself, but you will have to pick whether you feel more comfortable sitting in the front or back seat.

Is it better to kneel or sit in a canoe?

Kneeling remains the best choice for classic soloists and paddling most technical whitewater, but if you don’t want to kneel, learn to paddle properly when seated.

What are the disadvantages of canoeing?

Disadvantages of a Canoe
Canoes have open cockpits, which expose the paddler to sun, wind, and spray. Canoes have less efficient hull designs than kayaks and so require more effort to paddle. Canoes are less manoeuvrable than kayaks and so require more effort to turn.

Does canoeing require strength?

Increased torso and leg strength, as the strength to power a canoe or kayak comes mainly from rotating the torso and applying pressure with your legs.

Are there locks on the River Cam?

An organisation called the Conservators of the River Cam was formed in 1702, charged with keeping the river navigable. The Conservators are responsible for the two locks in and north east of Cambridge: Jesus Lock and Baits Bite Lock. The stretch north (downstream) of Jesus Lock is sometimes called the lower river.

Is River Cam clean?

Sewage does get into the river Cam, both from the outfalls of two sewage treatment plants, and from boats fitted with sea toilets, therefore you should all be aware of the risk and remember to wash your hands/shower after outings.

How much is punting on the River Cam?

How much does it cost to self-hire a punt in Cambridge? Self Hire punt prices range from £20 to £30 per hour. Self-hire punt boats are available from Scudamore’s, Cambridge Chauffeur Punts, Granta moorings, and Trinity College punts. Self-hire is not available with Scholars Punting Cambridge at the moment.

Are there fish in the River Cam?

The River Cam, ‘B’ section
The “Trees” or the “Jungle” is probably the most moody part of the Cam, but with large Perch, Eels, Chub and Bream it is well worth persevering with. Expect to find Chub under the conker tree on the far bank. Skimmers and Roach will dominate this section of the River Cam.

Is the River Cam polluted?

The river, which flows through Essex, Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire, is polluted with soluble phosphorous, according to Cllr Pavitt, kick-starting a chain of events which eventually kills most of the wildlife residing there.

What is the deepest river in the world?

The Congo
The Congo is the deepest river in the world. Its headwaters are in the north-east of Zambia, between Lake Tanganyika and Lake Nyasa (Malawi), 1760 metres above sea level; it flows into the Atlantic Ocean.