If you, like many others, have fallen in love with SUP and want to enjoy it as a hobby, you may be wondering where you can do so safely and legally.
Paddle boards and the sea
Under UK maritime law, paddle boards are classed as either recreational beach gear or small sea vessels, depending on dimensions and construction. If the SUP is longer than 3.5 metres (approximately 11’6”) it generally counts as a small sea vessel.
Recreational beach gear is to be used within 300 metres of the beach, while small sea vessels can travel up to two nautical miles out to sea, but may not be used in designated bathing areas.
If you are intending to venture beyond the 300 metre-boundary, you must inform coastal authorities.
When in harbour or near the beach, stick to areas designated for water sports and stay away from swimmers and bathers.
Some busy harbours will be unsuitable for paddle boarding. Crossing entry and exit points is usually prohibited. These are marked by conical green and spherical red buoys.
Some shipping channels will experience more traffic than others. No matter how busy, be aware and give large or slow-turning vessels a wide berth. At sea, priority is decided by manoeuvrability; the vessel with less has right of way.
Paddleboarding on rivers and canals
Licences for river SUP
You will need a licence to paddle board on most non-tidal rivers and canals in England. Licence fees help maintain water quality, repair erosion and damage, and clean up debris.
Licences are offered by associations such asBritish Canoeing (and Canoe Wales), theCanal & River Trust, and the Environment Agency. These three organisations alone manage over 3,000 miles of waterways, which means you are likely to encounter an inland waterway under their management.
Tidal waters and estuaries are protected under a historic legal right called the Public Right of Navigation (PRN). No licence is needed to paddle board on tidal waters.
As Scotland has the ‘right to roam’ you won’t need a licence to paddle on Scottish waterways – though you should still be responsible.
Paddleboarding on lakes and reservoirs
As they are not part of linked waterways, lakes and reservoirs each have different rules. Some will be privately owned and closed entirely to the public. Others may have clubs or organisations governing usage.
Most lakes in the Lake District region do not require a licence for paddle boarding, making them a great place for more gentle, expansive paddling.
Different waters, different rules
Some standard etiquette can be applied wherever you prefer to paddleboard. In general, water should be open to the public, safe and sanitary, and more than knee deep.
When passing other craft, keep right and pass port-side to port-side – i.e. with the other vessel to your left, when facing oncoming water traffic.
In open water, give way to other SUPs and kayaks who approach from the right.
Be considerate of other water users – maintain control of your equipment to avoid putting others in danger. Unwritten rules such as ‘one surfer, one wave’ underline the importance of giving each other space and minimising risk.
The person piloting a vessel is responsible for understanding permissions. For paddle boarding, this includes obtaining and producing required licences or tolls, and understanding signage. Failure to do so may result in fines.
In addition, whether near to shore or further out to sea, avoid disturbing wildlife. Though your board facilitates getting closer, keep your distance to avoid distressing or harming animals.
Build your understanding of paddle boarding
With the correct equipment and adequate knowledge, paddle boarding is a safe and enjoyable way to get fit and experience nature. However, it pays to be prepared and to be willing to learn what you need to make the most of your time on the water.
For more SUP tips, consult our extensive blog archive for advice.
