From a beginning almost as old as mankind, when the kayak or canoe was part of the process of survival, to the present day, when boundaries of exploration are being rolled back, canoeing is a sport rich in potential for young and old - the adventurous and the less adventurous.
How can I get started?
Canoeing offers a wide range of activities, some based on competition and others, less formalised, based on journeying and adventuring. The different types of canoeing are listed on the left hand side.
Visit an affiliated club or approved centre
Canoeing offers a wide range of activities, some based on competition and others, less formalised, based on journeying and adventuring. Visiting a club or approved centre is fun, safe and will help you to master the basic skills more quickly. Clubs and centres welcome new faces and many run special sessions for newcomers.
Activity holidays often include canoeing and this can be a pleasant introduction, or perhaps you'd prefer to attend one of the many BCU regional events and chat to some of the paddlers themselves.
CLUB & CENTRE SEARCH
Canoe England Membership
Membership to Canoe England provides you with third party liability insurance, competitive rates on boat insurance, waterways licenses, Canoe Focus Magazine, selected discounts and an annual directory.
Waterways licenses
As a canoeist you need a license to paddle waterways. The waterways license is included in Canoe England membership.
Where does my license allow me to paddle?
Environment Agency waters
River Thames (Cricklade Bridge to Teddington)
Bedford Ouse below Kempston, Bedford
Ancholme
Nene below Northampton
Welland and Glen
Little Ouse, Wissey, Lark and Cam (below Bottisham lock)
Suffolk Stour below Brundon, Sudbury
Medway below Tonbridge
British Waterways licensed waters
River Trent below Derwentmouth
River Severn: Stourport to Gloucester
For the full list - see the BW waterways MAP
Waterways licensed by others
Stratford Avon from Alverston to Tewkesbury
Basingstoke Canal (North West Region)
Rochdale Canal
Norfolk Broads
Wey & Godalming navigations
Membership to Canoe England provides you with third party liability insurance, competitive rates on boat insurance, waterways licenses, Canoe Focus Magazine, selected discounts and an annual directory. As a canoeist you need a license to paddle waterways. The waterways license is included in Canoe England membership. River Thames (Cricklade Bridge to Teddington)Bedford Ouse below Kempston, BedfordAncholmeNene below NorthamptonWelland and GlenLittle Ouse, Wissey, Lark and Cam (below Bottisham lock)Suffolk Stour below Brundon, SudburyMedway below TonbridgeRiver Trent below DerwentmouthRiver Severn: Stourport to GloucesterFor the full list - see the BW waterways MAPStratford Avon from Alverston to TewkesburyBasingstoke Canal (North West Region)Rochdale CanalNorfolk BroadsWey & Godalming navigationsThe documents below might also be useful -
Membership to Canoe England provides you with third party liability insurance, competitive rates on boat insurance, waterways licenses, Canoe Focus Magazine, selected discounts and an annual directory. As a canoeist you need a license to paddle waterways. The waterways license is included in Canoe England membership. River Thames (Cricklade Bridge to Teddington)Bedford Ouse below Kempston, BedfordAncholmeNene below NorthamptonWelland and GlenLittle Ouse, Wissey, Lark and Cam (below Bottisham lock)Suffolk Stour below Brundon, SudburyMedway below TonbridgeRiver Trent below DerwentmouthRiver Severn: Stourport to GloucesterFor the full list - see the BW waterways MAPStratford Avon from Alverston to TewkesburyBasingstoke Canal (North West Region)Rochdale CanalNorfolk BroadsWey & Godalming navigationsThe documents below might also be useful -