What is the legal age limit to sail a small boat (canoe or kayak) in the UK?

Question

What is the legal age limit to sail a small boat (canoe or kayak) in the UK?

Answer 1

Why, are you an illegal immigrant?

Answer 2

I would guess that if no license is needed theres no age limit.

However social services might get involved if you shoot an 18month kid down rapids at a guess.

Imagine if they'd been about when Moses was put in a basket!!

A canoeing tip, avoid going to S H 1 T  Creek without a paddle!

lol

Answer 3

my 6 year old grandson goes for lessons on the Thames with a proper club that insured and registerd, don't think there is a limit.

Answer 4

As far as I know there isn't one - which is fine because Grandpa still has enough energy to paddle or swim,  just not as fast as the youngsters!

But seriously - old enough to know the local boating rules, handle the boat, and swim should be the global requirements for any age.

Answer 5

I don't know what the rules are these days but  I started Canoeing when I was 9. Once I had mastered the handling of the Canoe and I could complete the capsize drill I was deemed capable and I entered competitions soon after in ALL disciplines of Canoeing.

Now days though I suspect there is probably some Health and Safety barrier to impede our young doing what I did.

It should be down to the parents if they feel happy and their child is happy then so be it.

Check with the British Canoe Union or your local Canoe club.

Answer 6

As far as I know there isn't one, however it would be as well for younger canoeists to be accompanied or to have had training before going to sea in one.

Answer 7

there isn't one, but its kind of hard to find any parent willing to be involved in training or supervision these days with all the cloying legislation around health and safety, and risks of litigation if anything goes wrong

UK = the nanny state

Answer 8

There are no age limits either young or old. More to the point can you actually handle a paddle to propel the craft!!

Answer 9

There are a lot of canoe clubs for kids in the UK - we often pass them when out on the canals and rivers.

Some look as though they can't be much older than seven, and we have a young kid in our Marina who bombs around the whole area and adjoining canal like the proverbial "Bat out of h**l"