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.
Can I paddleboard anywhere UK?
Can you paddleboard anywhere UK? Almost all the waterways in the UK can be used for enjoyment by paddleboarders once you have a license. Cromford Canal and Bridgewater Canal do not accept paddleboarders on their waterways.
Do you need a permit to paddle board UK?
Where do I need a licence to paddle board? You need a waterway licence to paddle board on the majority of managed rivers and canals in England and Wales. Because if you don’t have proof of a waterway licence you could end up with a hefty fine from the waterway authority that manages that stretch of water.
Where can you paddle board without a licence UK?
What if I don’t have a waterways licence? 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!
Can you go paddle boarding on your own?
We would always recommend paddling with at least one companion but if this isn’t possible, here are some vital tips to ensure you can paddle board are as safe as possible. We would also strongly advise taking a SUP safety course to ensure you are as well prepared as you can be.
How much is a paddle board licence 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.
Do I need a license for a paddle board?
Do I really need a license? Yes, the use of a paddleboard, or any other portable, unpowered craft on the majority of inland waterways, requires a license obtainable from the relevant authority. On Regent’s Canal, there are two license options: Short term or 30-days explorers’ license from the Canal and River Trust.
Can I paddleboard on canals?
You will need a licence to use a paddleboard on a canal. If you try stand up paddle boarding with a club, they can arrange a licence for you. If you want to go on your own, you can book a short term licence via the Canal Trust Website.
Can you paddleboard in the sea UK?
Under UK maritime law, stand-up paddle boards are either classed as recreational beach gear or small sea vessel. Our handy guide explains how your board is classified, the must-know rules for navigation at sea as well as the all important safety advice when using a stand up paddleboard.
Can I paddle board in the sea UK?
Much of the southern English coast is suitable for paddleboarding, as tides are generally not too strong (with the exception of some tidal races outside Poole Harbour) and it’s always sensible to check conditions with a local water sports shop or lifeguards.
What conditions can you paddle board in?
The strength of the wind has a big impact on stand up paddling so as a ‘rule of thumb’: Less than 15 knots (less than 27km/h) is ideal flat water conditions. At 15 knots small waves and whitecaps start to form. At 20-25 knots (37-46km/h), more experienced paddlers may want to use the wind to surf downwind.
Can I paddleboard without lessons?
I would say, Yes, you do need lessons, unless you have surfing experience. You need to know how to handle the boards as they are often longer/larger than surfboards.
Do you have to wear a life jacket on a paddle board UK?
The term ‘life jacket’ is actually the wrong thing to say, for paddle boarding you should wear an appropriate personal flotation device (PFD), like a buoyancy aid. So, to be precise you do not need a life jacket to go paddleboarding safely, you need a PFD.
Do you wear a swimsuit when paddle boarding?
This means you will need something other than a wetsuit. Having a bathing suit, a short sleeve shirt, a rash guard or other water-resistant (hydrophobic shirt) wear is going to make time out on the water comfortable and fun. Men will often wear board shorts and women a bathing suit, be it one or two-piece.
Can I take my phone paddleboarding?
One way to keep your phone dry while paddleboarding is to put it in a waterproof case. This will ensure that if you happen to fall in the water, your phone will stay dry. There are a variety of waterproof cases, especially for popular phones like iPhones and Androids.
Do you need a swimsuit for paddle boarding?
Paddle boarding in the summer means occasionally diving off your SUP to cool off and enjoy the water. This means you will need waterproof clothing like a bathing suit, a short sleeve rash guard or water resistant activewear to be happy and comfortable.
Do you need paddle Board Insurance UK?
Does the British Canoeing membership cover Stand up paddle boards? Yes. When you purchase an On The Water British Canoeing membership, you receive a waterways licence. This licence covers stand up paddleboards, as well as kayaks and canoes.
Can you paddle board on a river?
Rivers are another great place to paddleboard. They can be dynamic with a fast current or even white water with conditions that are similar to oceans or they can be flat and slow which makes for a relaxing scenic paddle more like what you’d find on a lake.
Can I kayak anywhere 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 insurance to paddleboard?
Like all water sports, there always risks involved when paddleboarding. If you fall off your paddleboard, you could pick up an injury or even damage the paddleboard itself. This is why it is so important that you have paddleboarding insurance in place before you head out onto the water.
Do you need a helmet for SUP?
It makes sense for paddle boarders to wear a helmet no matter what your skill level and especially when pushing your own limits in the rapids, which can be very unforgiving.