Unfortunately, not all the good things in life are free, and that includes both Paddle boarding and Kayaking…although they aren’t very expensive.
A Waterway licence is sometimes necessary for accessing many of the England and Wales’s waterways. A test is not required (although knowledge of the Waterway code is a must for safety purposes at least). a Waterways License for SUPS or Kayaks don’t involve tests; it’s available to anyone planning to explore inland waters and is crucial for lawful and responsible paddleboarding.
In Scotland, The 2003 Land Reform Act, means the right to roam policy negates the need to have a license.
Why need a Waterways License?
The license fee contributes to the upkeep of waterways by organizations like the Canal & River Trust and the Environment Agency, among others. This maintenance ensures that the waterways remain in excellent condition, safe, and clean for current and future users. These bodies are responsible for:
- Upkeep of waterways’ banks, including maintaining access points.
- Inspection and repair of towpaths to prevent erosion.
- Monitoring of water quality and levels.
- Removal of invasive non-native species including floating pennywort,.
- Removal of debris from the river such as logs post-flooding
- Reduction of flood risks
Where can you paddle with a License?
PaddleUK website is a fantastic source of information as is the water ways homepage.
For a detailed map of paddleboarding locations where a license is required, check out PaddlePoints. This resource can help you plan your paddling trips effectively and ensure you're always compliant with local regulations.
A couple of popular paddle board places where a waterways license is required are:
- Avon Navigation Trust.
- Basingstoke Authority.
- New and Old Bedford River.
- Grand Union Canal, including; Brentford to Braunston, Napton to Brum.
- Leeds and L'pool Canal, although this excludes the L'pool Link and Docks.
- River Lea from Limehouse Basin to Hertford.
- Stourport to Gloucester on the River Severn.
Where can you paddle without a License?
There are several places where a license isn't necessary:
- Scotland
- UK Coastal Areas
- River Severn
- Lakes and Reservoirs like Lake Windermere and Ullswater
- Non-Tidal River Thames (upstream of Teddington Lock)
- River Wye and River Great Ouse
- Specific sections of the Grand Union and Llangollen Canals
How Do I Get a Waterways License?
The general water way licence for River and Canal can be obtained from the Canal & River Trust Website
Residents of England can obtain a license through British Canoeing-PaddleUK, and those in Wales can go through Canoe Wales. These organizations offer comprehensive options, including annual licenses with benefits like liability insurance and discounts, as well as day licenses for occasional paddlers.
The Kayak in the picture is an Aquaglide Deschutes 130