Canoeing/ Kayaking - do u need a license etc?

Canoeing/ Kayaking - do u need a license etc?

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Discussion

Krag Hopper

Original Poster:

163 posts

209 months

Thursday 1st December 2011
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After spotting someone on here posting about how good some of the cheap inflatable kayaks were I thought I'd look into it as there is a fairly popular river near me but I'm surprised (or confused) at some of the restrictions.

Now I know there are rights of way issues for walking cycling etc but I had a perhaps naive utopian vision of picking up a paddle an navigating the river to my hearts content ( or nearest pub) - I thought rivers werent owned as such.

Having checked my local canoe club website they say you cant go passed a lock a mile upstream because the environment agency hage restricted that as a fishing area and that similarly you can only go about 6 miles downstream IIRC. For the bits in between you apparently need a license ( which you can get through club membership).

Is this the same everywhere? I really didn't expect this to be so controlled or restricted. It'd be good to hear other people's experiences of this and kayaking in general before I rewrite my letter to Santa for that kayak!

dangerousB

1,693 posts

189 months

Friday 2nd December 2011
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I wouldn't say I'm a mad keen kayaker, but I've got 2 and I do get them wet fairly often.

I've never even thought about where I'm allowed/not allowed to be . . . just put in and get paddling!!

Near me I've got rivers (flat & white water), estuaries, canals and the sea and tbh, I've paddled them all - never, ever been asked for a license (confused that is sooo a new one on me!) and shared the water with everyone else.

I wouldn't take any notice of any bks about a "fishing area" (I'm an angler too) - just share the water with everyone else with mutual respect . . . get involved and have fun!!

Zyp

14,673 posts

188 months

Tuesday 6th December 2011
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Many years ago (well, 15 or so) I was a member of a Kayak club and certainly, membership of the club gave us licence to navigate all the rivers and canals around us.

Quite a few rules for paddling on inland water-ways and if you have a club nearby it'd be well worth asking them.

With regards to fishermen..... not always happy to see someone paddling up 'their' side of the river.
Many a time I've had full cans of Coke/Lilt/ Dr Pepper lobbed at my head...

Not to mention the dead bodies in the water..

But it's a great sport and I wish I was able to start again - I've never been so fit and healthy as when I was canoeing!

madbadger

11,555 posts

243 months

Tuesday 6th December 2011
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Membership of the BCU gives you a license. It's not too expensive.

Having said that I have never needed to show it.

anonymous-user

53 months

Tuesday 6th December 2011
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If you're really bothered about it then you can get a BCU membership and it covers you.

I don't tend to worry though and I've never been asked... Despite various stories.

Zyp

14,673 posts

188 months

Tuesday 6th December 2011
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That's it - I'd forgotten about the BCU.

That said, there doesn't appear to be any river Police anymore anyway.

sider

2,059 posts

220 months

Wednesday 7th December 2011
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I used to kayak and canoe up to about 9 years ago. Nothing spectacular - wasn't particularly good at it - just something i did a lot with mates. We once went from Penrith to Windermere over three days - mainly without cars (apart from the impossible - i.e. no water - bits) - using candian canoes and walking in parts. Very little in terms of policing then.

We camped on one of the Windermere islands on the 2nd night - again, apparently something that you're not supposed to do - and no one said anything.

Really keen to get back into it though. 2012 is the year to do so!


Krag Hopper

Original Poster:

163 posts

209 months

Thursday 8th December 2011
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Thanks for all the replies guys - much appreciated.

otolith

55,899 posts

203 months

Thursday 8th December 2011
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Just trespass, you might annoy the legitimate users, but there is little they can do to enforce their legal rights.

sider

2,059 posts

220 months

Friday 16th December 2011
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Well, you've inspired me.

Im going to a canoeing club again on Monday evening - first time since 1997 (the year i discovered girls and started to think about drinking lots!). I suppose you could call it a poor man's mid life crisis - sure can't afford a motorbike or Honda S2000!

sider

2,059 posts

220 months

Friday 16th December 2011
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Just hope i can fit my big pie-arse in a kayak!

sider

2,059 posts

220 months

Friday 16th December 2011
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Are Eskimo rolls easier when you're a bit stronger but a lot heavier, or not??!

Zyp

14,673 posts

188 months

Friday 16th December 2011
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sider said:
Well, you've inspired me.

Im going to a canoeing club again on Monday evening - first time since 1997 (the year i discovered girls and started to think about drinking lots!). I suppose you could call it a poor man's mid life crisis - sure can't afford a motorbike or Honda S2000!
You've picked a great time of year to start again...brrrr.

hehe

sider

2,059 posts

220 months

Friday 16th December 2011
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It's in a pool!

You wouldn't catch me in a river this time of year! Or a lake for that matter!

I used to go to a canoe club all year round back until about 97, and we'd be in pools til about April, and on closed water until about September.

After i finished there, we just used to get out on rivers whenever we could. Last time i was in one was 2002 so going to be like learning to ride a bike again!

Zyp

14,673 posts

188 months

Friday 16th December 2011
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Lightweight!

I started my canoeing one October (can't remember which year!) on the River Trent at full swell.
The same year I did a 10k K2 race on New Years day at an air temp of about 1˚c.

That was bloody cold....

Rivers all year round - Tuesday night and Saturdays for training and Sunday's for competing.

mrtwisty

3,057 posts

164 months

Friday 17th April 2015
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Thread ressurection time!

What are people's thoughts on this? Do people bother with the licences? Ever been caught without one? Massive fine and bummed with a large carrot the second you get near the water, or a mild word from a waterways bod and on your way?

anonymous-user

53 months

Friday 17th April 2015
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Never bothered but haven't paddled in the UK since moving to Switzerland in 2009 and when I did I was a student so the £15 BCU membership seemed like a big deal. The BCU membership is worth it because it gives you 3rd party liability insurance and the right to be on the river. They also use this money to fund kayaking development, and to lobby the govt for river access campaign.

otolith

55,899 posts

203 months

Friday 17th April 2015
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There is no licence. There is an issue of access rights to non-navigable stretches. I believe the BCU has negotiated access to some places. I think most paddlers just trespass.

mrtwisty

3,057 posts

164 months

Friday 17th April 2015
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Bump for the evening crowd - any thoughts/experiences?

(The licence I was referring to is an Environment Agency (?) one, or BCU. They appear to give you only quite limited permission really)

otolith

55,899 posts

203 months

Friday 17th April 2015
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The terminology is irregular - BCU membership gets you what they call a licence to paddle on navigable waters, but it's not a licence like a driving licence or a firearms licence or a fishing licence, it's effectively a permit.