Do you need a licence to paddleboard in UK?
It’s not just narrowboats that need a licence on our canals and rivers. All portable, unpowered craft such as canoes, kayaks, dinghies, rowing boats, paddleboards and even light inflatable craft do too. You can paddle on most rivers and canals but there are restrictions and you will need a license. Lakes are a similar story. You can just paddle on some lakes but others you need a permit for, and others are privately owned so you can’t paddle board at all.If you want to canoe, kayak or stand-up paddleboard on many of our rivers and canals you will need a licence to do so. Purchased individually, licences in Paddle UK membership would cost you £150!In England & Wales, you can kayak anywhere you like, free of charge, on tidal waters except those which are off limits as above. The effect of the tide extends far up many rivers. Non-tidal waters are very different.Kayaking is particularly popular. In fact, this 2021 survey found that it’s the second most popular watersport in the UK after sea swimming.
Can I paddleboard anywhere in the UK?
You can take your paddleboard along canals, rivers and lakes in the UK. Many inland waterways are calm and suited to beginners and those interested in leisurely paddleboarding. If you are a more experienced and confident paddleboarder, the UK has some beautiful coasts too. Great choice! Becoming a member of Paddle UK gives you the best value waterways licence around. Simply become a member and you are covered for over 4,500km of water. Start to type a river, canal or lake below to find out if your waterway covered by membership.The UK is an island, meaning we are lucky enough to have over 31,000km of coastlines. And to us, that sounds like 31,000km of potential paddling on the sea! The coast is a very popular destination for staycations and day trips. So why not take your kayak, canoe, or paddle board and make the most of the coast.You need a licence from the relevant navigation authority to canoe or paddle on most canals and river navigations. For non-navigable waterways, the permission of the landowner may be required, although there are rights of navigation on some rivers.Anyone can get a licence, but it’s something you should probably buy if you paddle on inland waterways in England and Wales. An On The Water individual licence costs £60 for the year when you purchase through Paddle UK and covers around 4,500km of waterways. For renewing members the cost is £47 per year.
Do you need a life jacket to paddle board UK?
Paddle UK strongly recommends that you have a primary form of floatation, which is normally your board via a leash AND a secondary form of floatation in the form of a buoyancy aid (BA) or personal floatation device (PFD). While paddle boarding can be a peaceful and solitary activity, it is important to avoid paddling alone if possible. If you do choose to paddle alone, it is important to let someone know where you are going and when you will be back, and to bring a cell phone or other means of communication in case of emergency.Graham Ketcheson, marketing director at Riot SUP, advises against using a paddleboard without a fin. You just paddle in circles,” he says. You are always doing correction strokes and are all over the place. Especially in wind and waves, there is no directional control.As a general rule of thumb, a more premium paddleboard will be lighter and no corners will be cut to get it to that weight. It will be lighter because of the technology used to get it to that weight as we have discussed above. It will have denser drop stitching, less layers of pvc, be heat bonded rather than glued.If you’re a beginner in paddle boarding, you’ll want a longer and broader board, between 10 and 12 feet in length and 30 to 32 inches in width. This size will give you better stability, allowing you to balance and handle the board.Stand up paddleboards are generally faster than kayaks, as they have a longer waterline and can glide more easily through the water. This makes them ideal for exploring open water, such as lakes, rivers, or even the ocean. Kayaks, however, are easier to steer in tight spaces.
Do I need to register my paddle board in UK?
If you want to canoe, kayak or stand-up paddleboard on many of our rivers and canals you will need a licence to do so. It’s not just narrowboats that need a licence on our canals and rivers. All portable, unpowered craft such as canoes, kayaks, dinghies, rowing boats, paddleboards and even light inflatable craft do too.In England and Wales, there are differing opinions regarding Public Rights of Navigation (PRN) along non-tidal waters. To simplify the answer, if you want to paddle on virtually all the inland waterways in England you will need a licence.
When not to paddleboard?
Only paddle in light winds. Strong wind can make paddleboarding much harder, especially on an inflatable SUP. Winds strength over 10knots/12mph/3Bf) are best avoided. DO NOT paddle if there is a risk of thunder/lightening. Paddle boarding does burn belly fat. This is because you’re recruiting large muscles such as your back and arms to paddle. The larger the muscle group you recruit, the more muscular strength you build and the more calories you burn, which can help burn body fat (including belly fat).Paddle-boarders are most likely to sustain an injury from impact with their own paddle-board, rather than waves, rocks, the sea-bed, other water-craft or litter. The main areas affected tend to be the face/head, knee and foot and ankle.Paddleboarding can get you ripped because it strengthens your upper body and core muscles.How many calories do you burn paddle boarding? On average, you’ll burn 330 to 460 calories per hour while recreational paddle boarding. That’s twice the calories you’d burn walking your neighborhood! The average, recreational (all around) paddle is done on calm water with light winds at a walking pace.
What is the difference between a SUP and a paddle board?
Paddle boarding, also known as stand-up paddle boarding (SUP), involves standing on a wider, more stable board and using a paddle to propel yourself through the water. One of the brilliant things about paddle boarding is that it can be done on a variety of bodies of water, from lakes and rivers to bays and oceans. One of the biggest differences between SUP and kayaking is the level of balance and stability you need. Stand up paddleboarding requires more balance and core strength, as you’re standing on a board and using a paddle to move yourself forward. This can be challenging for beginners, but with practice, it gets easier.When choosing a stand-up paddleboard (SUP), it’s important to consider the size, shape, and weight capacity of the board to match your needs. For beginners, stability is key. Generally, a longer and wider board offers better balance: Length: A board between 10 to 12 feet is ideal for most adults.Stability in a paddle board is fundamental, especially for beginners. It determines how easily you can stand on the board without tipping over. The board’s stability primarily comes from its width, length, and hull type. Generally, wider and longer boards tend to offer more stability.To find the right stand up paddle board for you, consider how you’re going to use it, how it will fit your body and how you want it to handle in the water. The key decision points will be the shape of the board, getting the correct volume and capacity, as well as the proper length, width and thickness.