What are the rules regarding kayaking in rivers near my house? Can i just get in the water and have a paddle?

Question

I live in Somerset next to the river Yeo.

Answer 1

Unfortunately, yes, in the US you can jump in just about anything and try to run a river with it. But if you want to make it back to your house in one piece, I'd suggest wearing, or at least taking a life jacket, and ALWAYS paddle with at least one other person, preferably someone with more skills than you, so they can help you read the river, and help you if you get in a jam. So that means you both need to know how to paddle well enough to get to your buddy and help each other!

Even better, it'd be great if you could go to a local outdoor store, or call your local parks & rec department, and ask about how to contact a local paddling club, so you could find instruction and a paddling group/buddy.    

This is a group that supports paddling (Amer. Canoe Assoc), so the instruction you get from them will be the best if any classes are are held near you (they support river kayaking, canoeing, and sea kayaking):

http://www.americancanoe.org

Have fun, but please be safe!

Answer 2

You should be OK on major waterways, as property boundaries tend to end at the water's edge. However, on minor waterways in the UK, property boundaries can cross the stream, and entering private property via a waterway still counts as criminal trespass (in law, it's just like walking across a field where there's no offical path).

This is especially a concern on streams used for e.g. angling, as landowners tend to get sniffy about boaters scaring the fish, and also tend to have lots of money and sharp solicitors.

Someone at the local council should be able to tell you about local property boundaries, and if someone owns the bit you want to paddle through, you have to apply directly to them for permission (which may be given informally, as far as I know) to enter/cross their property.

The British Canoe Union (BCU) may also be able to advise you, although they'll probably want you to join a local branch before they'll get really helpful! According to their website, they currently seem to be running a nationwide campaign to get wider access for canoeists to Britain's inland waterways

Answer 3

yes, but is it clean, how deep is it, is there a fast moving current? contact your local council and ask to be certain.