You can take your paddleboard along canals, rivers and lakes in the UK. Inland waterways are calm and suited to beginners and those interested in leisurely paddleboarding.
Can I paddle board on the Canal?
Yes, you do need a licence to use a paddleboard on a canal. If you try stand-up paddleboarding with a club, they will arrange the licence for you. If you want to go on your own, have a look at our short term licences.
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.
Can you paddle board in the Sea UK?
If there is no swell, no wind and it’s a beautiful warm day, paddleboarding on the ocean will be easy and a lot of fun. These are perfect conditions for you to try paddleboarding on the ocean for the first time. These conditions do happen and a typical summer morning in the UK can fit this description.
Can you paddle board on the Royal Military Canal?
All bookings for the hire of canoes, kayaks and Stand Up Paddleboards (‘a hire’) are taken at the centre, subject to availability. They are for use on the Royal Military Canal between Seapoint Canoe Centre and the Hythe West Dam.
Where are you allowed to paddle board 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.
Can you kayak on UK canals?
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.
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.
Can you launch a 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.
Can you paddleboard on any river?
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.
How far out to sea can you paddleboard?
In the sea
If you are using a paddle board which is classed as recreational beach gear, you must keep within 300m of the shore.
Do you need a life jacket on a paddle board UK?
So, to be precise you do not need a life jacket to go paddleboarding safely, you need a PFD. Life jackets tend to be bulky and are mainly used for sailors in yachts. You are better off with a lighter and more comfortable personal flotation device than a full life jacket.
How far out to sea can you go on a paddle board?
With recreational beach gear, you must remain within three hundred meters of the shore. On the other hand, if you have a small sea vessel, you can travel up to two nautical miles from sheltered areas.
Can you paddleboard on Leeds Liverpool canal?
The Leeds and Liverpool canal now forms part of the English coast to coast route, where you can paddle from the west to the east coast of England as a challenge should you want to! Whichever section you choose to paddle, the canal has plenty to offer from history to wildlife and everything in between.
Do I need a licence to paddle board on the Thames?
Do I need a licence to paddle on the Thames? If you’re paddling on the non tidal section of the river (Cricklade Bridge to Teddington) yes, you need either a non powered pleasure craft licence available from the environment agency here or join the British Canoeing here.
Are you allowed to paddleboard on the Thames?
Stand-up paddleboarding is a growing recreational activity on the tidal Thames. Providing you follow the Tideway Code then you may paddleboard between Teddington Lock and Putney Pier during the day.
Do you need insurance to paddle board?
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.
Which side of the river should you paddle on UK?
Is there a correct side to pass on on canals and rivers? Ian. as a general rule you should pass left hand side to left hand side. i.e. aim to the right of the boat coming towards you, thereby going between it and the rhs bank.
Do you need a license for an inflatable boat UK sea?
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 you swim in UK canals?
They aren’t places for swimming. ‘ Not very safe at all. That might explain why swimming in canals is not permitted anywhere in the UK, and the Port of London Authority only allows swimming in the Thames upriver of Putney Bridge, through to Teddington.
Are canals OK to swim in?
Don’t swim in canals — ever! Keep a safe distance from the edges of the canals. Canal sides are extremely slick, making it difficult to get out.