Do You Need A Licence To Paddle? (UK) Canoe, Kayak, SUP

Paddling a canoe, kayak or stand up paddle board in England and Wales does require some kind of licence or permit for the majority of inland waterways. There are some exemptions though. It's complicated!
Get your On The Water Licence here: bit.ly/PaddleLicence
(By the way I have no affiliation, sponsorship or any dealings with BC to promote this licence. It's just what I use, and what I personally recommend to paddlers.)
Boating Equipment Used In This Video:
Kayak - Itiwit X500 tidd.ly/3gEXm0x
(I did a full review of this boat here bit.ly/ItiwitX500)
Paddle - Itiwit X500 - tidd.ly/36PaRc0
PFD/ lifejacket tidd.ly/364EOo9
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Filmed and edited by Stevie Wyatt
Original music written and produced by Stevie Wyatt
All rights reserved
Filming Equipment Used:
Main Camera Sony a6400 geni.us/SonyA6400w
Wide lens geni.us/Sigma16w
Tight lens geni.us/Sigma30
Lightweight tripod geni.us/JobyLight
Action Camera geni.us/Insta360GO2
Audio field recorder, with lav mic geni.us/ZoomF1w
Edited in Davinci Resolve bit.ly/DavinciRes18
On a Mac Mini M1 geni.us/MacMiniM1w
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Follow me on Instagram bit.ly/instaStevie
More from my channel bit.ly/StevieWyatt
#canoe #kayak #SUP

[@CyclingMikey]

Excellent video, Stevie! Went paddling on the Thames with my autistic mate last week, and it was fantastic. You were the one to inspire me to get an Itiwit X500 twin, so thank you so much!

[@StevieWyatt]

Thanks so much, that's really nice to hear. Glad to have been of help 🙏

[@ianhopcraft9894]

The UK PADDLE SPORTS (formerly BRITISH CANOEING) card not only contributes to your insurance and upkeep of waterways but also gets you a hefty discount on all kinds of outdoor kit/clothing/paddling accessories at participating stores. Having one saves you money - remember to use it.

[@dronejedi654]

Excellent, clear and precise, just what I wanted to know. Thank you

[@the_leathermushroom]

I think one exception on the canals and rivers should be if you live on a boat and already pay the ever increasing narrowboat license fee.

[@fetabrown]

Thank you for this clear explanation

[@Pixster78]

I signed up with British Canoeing and Ive also got my son is own membership now. Interestingly, you were on the River Mole last recently, part of the reason this is so overgrown and has quite a few fallen trees is that it doesn't require a licence, which means that it isn't funded in the same way that the River Wey is for example.

[@larrylivinginthenow]

Good video. I am an Aussie and we pay no fees here to paddle. Just wish we had that fee to roam ruling you mentioned about Scotland

[@LetsGoPaddling]

Great to have these rules collated. You're right - there are so many people asking and/or giving wrong advice. I'd only add that as no license is needed on tidal waters, that also includes tidal rivers eg. most of Arun or Thames from Teddington Lock towards the estuary. 😉

[@StevieWyatt]

Good point, yes no licence need on tidal rivers. I knew I'd forget to mention something!

[@MrLeftybob]

Wild camping for all would be great. But as lockdown showed, not everyone respects our countryside, and some people’s idea of leave no trace is more in keeping with Locard than Ray Mears.

[@StevieWyatt]

This is the sad truth

[@simonpe3trie102]

Yeah, and this is disgusting People need to respect it more they have to live with their actions on their country . And show them on them. ! !

[@Will-kt5jk]

I mean, a wild-camp & free roam license might be a good idea, with a short training/test to pass. The fees & fines for non-compliance could cover cleanup of those who flout the rules. Could be a good compromise if we can’t get right to roam (ideally there would be free/subsidised versions for low income, but still having to pass the test to be allowed to roam/camp).

[@simonpe3trie102]

@@Will-kt5jk How long have you been with the Conservative party?

[@jaychambers7955]

I still do it. And I wager not many people will ever see me.

[@TheAnglan]

I agree with the majority of this but I think people having a principled stance on refusing to pay for access to natural waterways is fine, I agree Scotland has it right with right to roam. Personally I pay because like you said the money goes to a good cause and it's easier than not paying and getting into hassle. But morally I feel that management of outdoor spaces should be part of the state's responsibility paid for through taxes and everybody should have a right to access them, like a park.

[@StevieWyatt]

I would absolutely love a Scottish style Right to Roam act to be introduced here. It would make answering the complicated question of licences a lot easier, I wouldn't need to make this video for a start 😂

[@Mysticalmuppet]

Guess I am lucky I live in Hereford. No license needed on the Wye for the most part. Come next spring though I'll be getting my British Canoeing permit as I have so many plans. Good informative video, shame many will still seek advice from facebook.

[@roblaidlaw2763]

Great video. Lovely edit 😊

[@StevieWyatt]

Thank you 🙏

[@markbennett1131]

Well done again mate!👍🏻

[@StevieWyatt]

Thanks very much 🙏

[@mattwilmshurst8456]

Just the video i needed. Thank you Steve 🎉🎉🎉

[@StevieWyatt]

You're welcome

[@Simon_W74]

The Only exception is if you are with a Club and their licence covers you whilst you are out as a Club Trip or as part of a Club Night. Here in Norfolk we can opt for the On the Water License as mentioned or we can go down the Broads Licensing route. which can be day or Annual, but costs more then the On the Water License from British Canoeing. I have never been checked in all the time I have been out on the water, I know so that have. I a way I am glad as having the Digital version of the License is a bit of a faff to find on a phone especially with my eyesight as I am Long sighted and never take my glasses with me.I do have a copy of it saved to the Notes on my phone for both me and my Daughter, as if she is going to get checked she will be with me anyway, unless out with the club and we are covered by them if we are doing separate actives, as she tends to paddle in Whitewater Boats and I am in a Touring Boat. I don't mind having to pay towards the Rivers that I can use in England and Wales, and the License is the best way to do so. I like the Right to Roam that Scotland has on a wild camping front. Yes it would be nice if we didn't have to have Licenses to paddle, but the Alternative for paying per paddle would push me away form using rivers and stick to going out on the sea, which for me isn't issue as I live near the North Norfolk Coast and we have some stunning Creeks and inlets to paddle as well as the sea. We do sometime have to pay a launch fee which depending on how much it is will depend whether I would use that launch site.

[@StevieWyatt]

That's a good point about club membership, I knew there would be some things I forgot to mention so thanks for commenting 🙂

[@PaddleScotland]

Glad you knew part of Scotland right, only thing is a lot of Scottish people paddle,kayak and the Scot’s enjoy there outdoors very well so it isn’t mainly tourists.

[@StevieWyatt]

In my view Scotland has some of the best paddling in the UK

[@jameskellock5152]

I think you might need a permit to paddle on the canals in Scotland

[@charles-mr4oz]

Does the british canoing licence cover you for ANY waterway. I paddle in the sea but I have heard of people getting grief on the rivers nearby from members of fishing clubs and the like.

[@pauldean8638]

There’s a simple answer , private lakes you are subjected to fees . Public open ( unlicensed lakes usually was private owned and the owners let it open to the public to use ) lakes you don’t need to pay . Canals and river trust charge £50 for paddle craft per year , add a motor( powered craft ) and you charged an extra £500 more . The fees are payed to keep staff who keep these waters open from water level monitoring and clearing water debris.

[@StevieWyatt]

There was originally a section about lakes in this video that I edited out because it was so complicated - it needs it's own video. In the Lake District for example there are some Lakes you need a permit for, some you don't, some that allow kayaks but not SUP's, some that allow powered boats but no paddling - it's crazy! Some are private but don't charge permit fees because they raise the money through parking fees. Others charge launch fees. It really is all over the place 🤪

[@pauldean8638]

@@StevieWyatt sound like more videos to explain it all 👍 ha ha . Yeah it’s crazy all the different ways and means , a good thing to say is “ ever in doubt about being on a piece of water , google it “

[@THE-RIVER-RAT]

Good stuff matey. Just want to point out one thing for newbies not all Rivers require a licence for instance where I mostly paddle the river Hull is a free water, however as you said you do need a licence on most, so it's best to look online first. Or if you want to save any hassle just get a bloody licence, at least that way you don't have to look online each time you go to a new spot.

[@TheXfoxUK]

Yeah I think the only thing I would’ve added is that the website has a big list of all the waterways covered and not covered by the license, and if in doubt you should always check there.

[@alberttickle1106]

What about the lake district??

[@arthurglynn-reeves5895]

Thanks for the info. Lived in cambs never saw the ID numbers tho

[@StevieWyatt]

Yeah a couple of people have mentioned this. The rules stated by Cam Conservators are clear, but it looks like people don't really bother. This is of course encouraging me to go up there and make a video about the Cam 🤔

[@mickhill7067]

Hi Steve Very good video, not a lot of money for all the waterways, and keeping them going , people that don't get them should be ashamed, they would have nowhere to go if they all fell into disrepair, just one thing that you mentioned, about only one having to have a license per craft , the license says individual for one person, also you can get family or couples, i think its per person not per craft, maybe wrong? But keep up the great work 👏 😊

[@StevieWyatt]

Thanks! The couples and families licences are basically a discount if you want to paddle with multiple craft. Which makes sense because some families might have a few kayaks or sups. But if you have one boat or board, any passengers are covered by one licence. This is from British Canoeing's FAQ's clarifying; "As long as one person within the craft has a membership, then the passengers will be covered under their licence. However the canoe is unlicensed, if the member is not on board."

[@mickhill7067]

@@StevieWyatt Oh right , but thats great to know , many thanks 😊

[@caz-nbgalatea1528]

Hey thanks for that. You mentioned about having your membership number on the side of your boat when on the Cam. We’re on the cam but ea side with a narrowboat. Do you mean from Bottisham where the cam cons start?

[@StevieWyatt]

I think so, I can't share links in the comments, but the Cam Conservancy website says this; "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. You will need a license to do this (unless you are canoeing on the upper river only - i.e. upstream of the Mill Pit where no license is required). Please note that all vessels must be clearly identified with a unique registration number. An annual agreement exists between British Canoeing and the Conservators of the River Cam, as a consequence, if you hold a valid personal membership with British Canoeing you will be able to use the River Cam navigation downstreem of the Mill Pit where a river licence is required. This is conditional on the vessel being uniquely identified as required by Conservancy Byelaws."

[@caz-nbgalatea1528]

@@StevieWyatt thanks for that ni bet not many do abide by it. We have a cam cons additional licence on the nb for their waters. Hoping to kayak from Granchester mill into Cambs backs sometime. Just bought an Itiwit x100. Not been in a kayak before but looking forward to it. Other half has a rigid one!!.

[@StevieWyatt]

@@caz-nbgalatea1528 I love the x100, take my boys out in mine all the time. Loads of room and very stable. I should do a video on the Cam too come to think of it 🤔

[@CristiNeagu]

I personally think that it's bad that a licence is required. But what's most egregious is that there's no unified licence. If we're going to make the argument that this money goes towards maintaining the waterways so you as a paddler actually want to pay it, then it should be one single licence that you buy from the government, and that's it. But as we know, there's loads of greedy people out there, and I doubt that such a single licence would be a true single licence, much like how a rod licence isn't enough to fish in most waters. This whole system needs reform. We need to encourage people to go out in nature, not deter them with complicated rules and hidden fees.

[@trevorcronin9249]

Paying for the upkeep/use of Royalty owned property? Hard nope from me. The Scotts sorted it, so it should be for all the UK.

[@TheXfoxUK]

I sympathise with the principal but unfortunately there is little choice. If we all stop paying I don’t think this government will step in and maintain the waterways. More likely they will fall into ruin like the rest of the country. I think a good compromise is to pay in the short-term to make sure waterways are funded and campaign for change in the long-term, contacting MPs etc. and trying to advocate for government-funded maintenance. I totally agree that the system is wrong though.

[@StevieWyatt]

I totally get where you're coming from. But in Scotland they do still pay - just through general taxation. (Plus the lochs don't require as much human management as England's rivers and canals). I would definitely support a Right to Roam act to be brought in to England and Wales though. I think it's a good bit of legislation, and it takes away the psychological barrier to free access that licence fees induce.

[@NonConformist-ys4wr]

Maintain the waterways .... water companies are dumping poo 💩 into our rivers ... licence to paddle is for peasants and serfs ..... or humans with the hat and sunglasses mind virus...... WAKE up W ⚓️ 's

[@ljsquirrel]

Wonder what the correlation of people happy not having the licence and not wearing a PFD is

[@StevieWyatt]

Exactly. Funnily enough, my next video is about PFD's

[@user-bd7qf8yu5t]

do you still need a liscence to go on lakes?

[@user-bd7qf8yu5t]

do you onlly need like the 40 quid membership for a family or a different one

[@MadDogGiraffe]

I think all the people I paddle with do not have a license yet they really enjoy the rivers and canals; it makes my quit cross. It is similar to having a picnic in a beautiful natural spot and leaving a load of rubbish; it is short sighted and selfish! Great informative video Steve.

[@simonpe3trie102]

I’m assuming if you paddle with them, you know them are they’re your friends Maybe say something to them If they don’t care, I don’t listen maybe they’re not the people you want to be around just worth a thought

[@MadDogGiraffe]

@@simonpe3trie102 we all have our faults and bad sides, most of our friends are not all perfect so not falling out over this but it does frustrate and I try to encourage better behaviour.

[@simonpe3trie102]

@@MadDogGiraffe No, we not all perfect and I get that Worth mentioning to them And it’s not a bad habit as such it’s a conscious decision not to .

[@sdsparkes]

Yes, government funding is at an all time low. If you’re on a waterway that requires a license then get one they need the money to maintain the waterway and keep them maintained.

[@simonpe3trie102]

I’m a bit torn on this subject As I think the whole of the UK you have the right to Rome like in Scotland i would go as far to say it should be humans right? .2 this will obviously depend on whereabouts in the country you are certainly where I am maintaining barely existent it’s horrific And the for access in and out of your watercraft or making it Simpler Portage there is not. .3 however if they were to maintain and doing a much better job of what they’re meant to be doing and even looking into making it simpler for paddle craft is for the license £49 or whatever . would be well worth. The cost.. ! ! !

[@nibnob]

Is it a criminal or civil matter?

[@williamj8349]

First!

[@StevieWyatt]

Always quick off the blocks

[@bobchamberlain6184]

Money goes to look after Rivers!!!, you have obviously never paddled the river gipping mate!!!!

[@briansilver6196]

Hi iv got a British canoeing licence as i have an inflatable kayak, if i was to get an E fin for my kayak would i need another licence as my kayak wound then be motorised ,thanks for your vlogs i allways enjoy them 🏄🚣‍♂️🙂 + does a British canoeing licence cover you for insurance when on the rivers and canals

[@StevieWyatt]

Thanks! This is a really good point. British Canoeing say they licence unpowered craft and their arrangement with the Waterways Authorities does not extend to motored craft. I would assume this would include even the smallest of electric motors. In practice you would then need to get an additional permit from the waterway you were using, depending on the local rules. But maybe this is a grey area because of new technologies. A bit like E-scooters. As for insurance, British Canoeing membership includes £10m civil liability insurance (in case say, you crash and damage someone's property). That's not craft insurance though, so doesn't cover you against the theft of your boat etc.

[@Pixster78]

I've also been looking into this as I would like to add a motor to a large canoe I have and take it out on the Wey, Basingstoke Canal and Thames. It does seem to work out quite expensive though so I think we'll just put up with the burn as we travel back the other way.