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!

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

very informative contents on your channel really helped me take on kayaking for the first time :) Thanks

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. 😉

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.

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.

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.

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

Interesting thanks. Especially the family part. I was thinking whether to get a family license but our two boys are not that interested so wouldn't be in their own craft, if they're covered by my license when they come in my boat that's just saved me a fare bit of cash. Cheers.

Hi, Stevie. Good info generally. However, not all British waterways (other than Scottish) are covered by the British Canoeing ( now Paddle UK). There are public and private waterways that require a day/week/etc. licence.

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.

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.

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.

Well done again mate!👍🏻

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.

Great video. Lovely edit 😊

Coast vs waterways its a lot like fishing in the UK 😊

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

Thanks mate, very helpful =)

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.

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.

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 👏 😊

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.

i didnt know that, although why would i as i live in the scotish highlands, wild camping is not alowd everywhere ether, a lot of places dont let you, although i don't know how leagle that is but if your found you will get moved on.

Thank you for this clear explanation

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.

Being forced to pay for a service you may not want, is a tax. If the river is too dry I won’t paddle, if the water is too high, I won’t paddle. Whether you agree with it or not, it is a tax. A river is a natural resource.

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

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.

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.

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

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

Can I buy a canoe and equipment and have a mooch on the Manchester Ship canal?

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.

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?

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.

Has anyone ever checked your licence ?

What about the lake district??

Licence to canoe....??...................................................YEAH right

Thanks for explaining why licences are paid. Unfortunately, some people just want something for nothing, and like to dress it up as a political position.

do you still need a liscence to go on lakes?

Is it a criminal or civil matter?

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.. ! ! !

First!

first one up its a tax reminder dont buy it waste of money

The amount of tax I pay there is no way I’ll be paying I take your point on board but this country has become a disgrace! And let’s be real a lot of the water ways are disgusting and never maintained just another way to control us

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

too many rules ,as long as I'm unseen ,I'll do what I want thanks ,Karen's get dealt with

Don't care if u need a licence or not I do what I want as long as I'm not hurting anyone

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