To simplify the answer, if you want to paddle on virtually all the inland waterways in England you will need a licence. This includes narrowboats and unpowered craft such as canoes, kayaks, dinghies, rowing boats, paddleboards, and light inflatable craft.
Can I kayak on any river UK?
The sea surrounding the UK is free to Kayak except for a few off-limits areas as stipulated by the Ministry of Defence. This includes any estuaries and tidal rivers. Many rivers have tides that extend far inland so keep that in mind when researching your preferred paddling destination.
Do I need a licence to kayak on UK rivers?
Who needs a waterway licence? 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.
Which rivers can you kayak on?
Canoeing and Kayaking Near London In Surrey
The River Thames and the River Wey. The Wey comprises around 20 miles of gentle paddling through the heart of the county, providing all levels of paddler with points of interest along it’s loops and backwaters.
Where can I kayak in UK without a licence?
The following waterways are covered, River Thames, River Medway (Tonbridge to Allington), The Basingstoke Canal, Wey Navigation and the Wey and Arun canal. Tidal Rivers do not require a license. There are two other rivers you can paddle without requiring a license where there is a public right of navigation.
Where in the UK can you kayak?
The Wye Valley
The Wye Valley is one of the most spectacular places to kayak or canoe in the UK. With over 100 miles of navigable water, it is very popular for multi-day trips.
What is the 120 rule for kayaking?
A good rule of thumb to follow is the “120° rule.” This means you should wear a wetsuit or dry suit whenever the sum of the air temperature and water temperature is equal to or less than 120°F. Warm weather does not cancel out the danger of cold water, wearing lighter clothing on a warm day increases risk.
Can you kayak on canals UK?
Yes, licences are required for the Canal and River Trust, exceptions being for members of British Canoeing and Canoe Wales who can use the waterways for free.
Do I have to wear a life jacket on a kayak UK?
In this case, you must have the following safety equipment: a life jacket compliant with European standards for each person on board. a light signalling device (safety light, glow stick, etc.)
Do you need a wetsuit for kayaking UK?
Wetsuit: A wetsuit is the minimum protection needed for kayaking in the winter months. Made of thick neoprene, wetsuits keep you insulated by holding a thin layer of water (heated by your body) next to your skin. We recommend you always wear a wetsuit in water temperatures of 20ºC or cooler.
What are the three golden rules of kayaking?
The three golden rules are a set of rules that, when followed, will let you paddle the most efficiently and help keep you safe on the water: You need to use the power of torso rotation for all your strokes. You need to choose an appropriate paddling location. You need to have a plan in case you capsize.
Can you launch a kayak from anywhere?
Kayaks, canoes and paddleboards do not need to use boat ramps. You can launch from just about anywhere there is permitted access.
Are rivers private property UK?
If the river runs through a landowner’s land, that landowner will own the riverbed. Whereas if the river forms a boundary of a landowner’s land, that landowner will own the riverbed up to the centre of the river along the stretch of the river which forms their boundary, their neighbour owning the other half.
Do I need insurance to kayak in UK?
There is no legal obligation to have canoe or kayak insurance in the UK so it is up to you whether you choose to insure yours.
How much is a kayak license UK?
Prices range from around £20 for a week’s licence on a river only to around £122 for 30-day ‘Explorer’ licence on a canal or river (prices as of April 2022), which allows you to spread out your use across the year.
How much is the fine for not having a waterways licence?
What if I don’t have a waterways licence? You can be fined up to £1,000 if you’re caught on an inland waterway and the following applies.
How do I get a kayak licence UK?
You can usually purchase day licences from places like the Canal & River Trust or Broads Authority, or you can purchase yearly licences from these places too. The most comprehensive licence for paddlers though is the British Canoeing membership (or respective home nation membership).
How likely are you to flip over in a kayak?
The short answer is no. Most kayaks—especially those built for new kayakers—are designed with stability in mind, so they’re not likely to capsize for no reason. That said, kayaks can flip over if you lose your balance or paddle in very windy conditions.
How likely is a kayak to flip?
Kayaks are generally safe to use and hardly tip over. Nevertheless, the risk of tipping depends on the sort of kayak and the type of water where you are paddling. For example, it’s extremely hard to tip over when paddling with a recreational kayak on a relatively calm river — unless you really try too hard.
How far can a beginner kayak in a day?
For a beginner, it is recommended to start with shorter trips and gradually work up to longer ones. Perhaps start with kayaking less than 5 miles and slowly work your way up. Make sure that you don’t venture too far away from shore until you fully understand your limits.
Do kayaks tip over easily?
Generally, kayaks are safe and don’t just tip over for no reason. Most of the time when someone experiences this, it’s due to a lack of balance or conditions on the water outside of their control. For example, it’s rather difficult, even for a beginner, to tip over in a recreation kayak on a calm river.