As long as you follow a few basic rules, canoeing, kayaking or paddle boarding are safe sports and accidents are rare. If you want to make the most out of the sport and get off to the best start then a course will show you all of the basic techniques. You can find a canoe or paddle board club offering beginners courses on the British Canoeing website.
Our waterways code for smaller unpowered boats
The following tips will also help to keep you safe while you're out and about on the canal:
- Beginners should always be accompanied by an experienced canoeist or paddle boarder
- Wear a life jacket or buoyancy aid while afloat
- Check the local waterway safety regulations before you set out
- Make sure your craft is suitable for the waterway and that you are competent to use it
- Locks, weirs and sluices can be very dangerous. Don't stay aboard your craft in a filling or emptying lock - carry it around. If it's too heavy, use ropes to keep control from the side
- Larger boats need deeper water so keep to the side of the canal where the boater can see you
Consider others and share the space
- Keep noise to a minimum and don't damage the banks of plants growing there
- Take home your litter and anything else you brought with you
- When passing anglers, unless they ask otherwise, follow a striaght course in single file
- When passing other boats and small craft, please slow down to reduce the amount of disturbed water