Can I jet ski on the Thames?
Can I jet ski on the tidal Thames in London? No. Personal Water Craft (PWC) / jet skis are not allowed anywhere on the Thames in the London area. Yes you can canoe or kayak on the Thames or use any type of craft on the non-tidal River Thames between Cricklade Bridge and Teddington Lock, and the short section of the tidal River Thames between Teddington Lock and the Port of London Authority’s boundary, including backwaters and marinas.If you want to canoe, kayak, or stand-up paddleboard on most rivers and canals in England and Wales, you’ll need a waterways licence. Without one, you risk fines or being asked to leave the water.All boats kept, used or let for hire on the River Thames must be registered in line with the Environment Agency (Inland Waterways) Order 2010. If you have a boat and you keep it afloat or use it on the River Thames, you need to register it.
Do I need a licence for a jet ski in the UK?
Although you don’t need to have a licence in the UK to drive a jet ski, you may want to consider completing an RYA (Royal Yachting Association) course. The Personal Watercraft Proficiency Course covers safety, launching, and handling to help you become a better jet skier. Some jet skis can travel up to 70 mph. Remember that riders are not strapped in by a seatbelt, either. You can imagine how easy it would be to get thrown off this personal watercraft. For example, if a boat approaches a jet ski too quickly, the rider may turn sharply and get thrown off.Personal watercraft require strong skills to ride, and while beginners may be able to control them on their first trial, they are more likely to be involved in jet ski-related accidents. Even experienced riders make mistakes, which is why there are numerous laws governing the use of jet ski rentals and sea riding.The weight limit is 400 pounds total per ski. The more weight, the more the jet skis tip. Participants should be physically strong enough and capable to climb back on the jet ski without assistance in the event they fall off. Yes, you will probably end up in the water at some point!
Is it legal to swim in the river Thames?
There are handful of sites used for swimming on the Thames in west London like beyond Teddington lock where it is non-tidal. But it isn’t permitted to swim in the tidal Thames where there are strong currents and it is a busy shipping lane. Any swimming in the Thames east of Putney Bridge is completely prohibited. Can I jet ski on the tidal Thames in London? No. Personal Water Craft (PWC) / jet skis are not allowed anywhere on the Thames in the London area.
Can you swim in Thames water?
There are handful of sites used for swimming on the Thames in west London like beyond Teddington lock where it is non-tidal. But it isn’t permitted to swim in the tidal Thames where there are strong currents and it is a busy shipping lane. As the Thames is tidal, its waters are ‘brackish’ – a mixture of fresh and saltwater. Drinking untreated Thames river water is unsafe, although historically it has been used for many domestic and industrial purposes including cooking, brewing and generating power.