Paddle Cymru On The Water membership includes a waterways licence to paddle over 4,500km of river navigations and canals across England and Wales.
Do I need a waterways licence or river permit for my kayak, canoe or paddleboard?
It depends on where you’re paddling! On waterways managed by the Canal & River Trust you must have a waterways licence. In Wales this includes the Montgomery, Llangollen, Swansea and, Monmouthshire and Brecon canals (in England it includes most canals and some rivers). If you’re a Canoe Wales On the Water member then you automatically have a waterways licence for Wales and England (congratulations!).
Most managed lakes and reservoirs require a permit that can usually be bought on-site (some can be pre-booked on-line). Some of these also require that all paddlers hold public liability insurance (also included in Canoe Wales membership). Non-managed lakes can usually be accessed for free. For details of all the lakes and reservoirs in Wales which allow canoes, kayaks and paddleboards and their permit requirements click here.
You don’t need a permit or licence to paddle on rivers, estuaries or coastal waters in Wales, however, some harbours charge a launch fee which can usually be paid on-site.
For a comprehensive list of canals, lakes and rivers in Wales and England, click here, scroll down to the Waterways Lookup and click Show All.
If you can't find the place you want to paddle on the list, it can mean a few things. You may not need a licence to paddle it or the licence doesn't cover that section.
If you're unsure whether the place you want to paddle requires a licence, just contact us.
A licence is required by the organisations that manage the waterway e.g. the Canal & River Trust. The money they collect from licences helps them maintain and improve waterways; your licence fee keeps your favourite paddling spots clean and clear!
Do I need a waterways licence or river permit for my kayak, canoe or paddleboard?
The money generated from licences enables the waterway authorities to carry out a wide range of work that often goes unseen. This includes:
- Removal of debris from the river such as logs post-flooding
- Flood damage repairs
- Removal of invasive non-native species, including floating pennywort, which can be carried on boats or kit from waterway to waterway and can clog up entire rivers and canals in a matter of days
- Installing ‘check, clean, dry' stations to try and prevent the spread of these invasive non-native species
- Maintaining put-ins, take outs and towpaths
- Managing water quality and levels
- Stocking of rivers with fish and aquatic species
- Protecting against and repairing bank erosion
- Our blue corridors simply wouldn't be the same without the dazzling array of wildlife we see while out paddling; from the birds to fish, amphibians to insects.
- The waterways authorities and many of their dedicated volunteers carry out vital ecological work helping keep rivers healthy and improving those that are struggling.
- The work carried out by the likes of the Environment Agency, Canal and River Trust and Broads Authority goes well beyond those waters that require a licence.
Our blue corridors simply wouldn't be the same without the dazzling array of wildlife we see while out paddling; from the birds to fish, amphibians to insects.
The waterways authorities and many of their dedicated volunteers carry out vital ecological work helping keep rivers healthy and improving those that are struggling.
The work carried out by the likes of the Environment Agency, Canal and River Trust and Broads Authority goes well beyond those waters that require a licence.
