A paddleboarder was stopped during a joint operation by Kent Police and the Environment Agency and warned he could face a £1,000 fine for paddling without a licence. Ross Mathieson, 35, was navigating the River Medway in Maidstone, Kent, with a friend on July 3 when officers approached them.
Licence Requirement Explained
The Environment Agency and Kent Police informed Mathieson that a licence was required to use his paddleboard on the river. According to PaddleUK, a £65 waterways or river licence is needed for canoes, kayaks, or stand-up paddleboards on most rivers and canals in England and Wales. Those found without one risk being fined or removed from the water.
Footage of the incident shows officers in a boat alongside Mathieson on his paddleboard, captioned 'we got pulled over for paddleboarding without a licence'. In the clip, Mathieson can be heard asking the policemen: 'You need a river licence to paddle a paddleboard? That's crazy.'
Paddleboarder's Reaction
Mathieson, who owns a car recovery business and has paddleboarded for two years without being stopped, described the licensing requirement as 'ridiculous'. He stated he will 'absolutely not' buy a licence and will 'take his chances', but wants to raise awareness that the fine could be 'devastating' for some people.
Speaking about the incident, Mathieson said: 'It was disbelief when they first approached me. I thought "why are we being approached on paddleboards and am I hearing this right we need a licence?" He said it carries a £1,000 fine and I said "are you going to fine us then?" He said "no, you have to be caught a few times."'
He added: 'Where do you draw the line? If I turned up with a rubber ring, is that also a vessel that needs licensing? I've been paddleboarding loads before and I just love doing it. Ultimately I bought a paddle board and it doesn't cost anything to do. Next thing they want £65 a year for a river licence. It's pretty crazy, I just think it's hilarious.'
Purpose of Licence Fees
Licence fees are channelled towards waterway authorities to assist with cleaning and upkeep of waterways, as well as repairing flood damage. Mathieson commented: 'I will absolutely not be buying a river licence, not a chance. I'll take my chances. I do get some regular use out of the paddleboard but most people use it once a year. Are they going to pay £65 or go through the paperwork of doing a day pass? It just takes the fun out of it. To some people that fine could be devastating, I'm lucky enough I just sit there and laugh at it.'
Official Response
An Environment Agency spokesman said: 'We manage and maintain more than 600 miles of inland waterways across England, keeping them open and safe for thousands of boaters and others to enjoy. Registration fees for boats, canoes, kayaks, dinghies and paddleboards contribute a reasonable proportion towards the cost of the navigation services and facilities we provide for river users.'
Kent Police confirmed officers were conducting patrols in the vicinity alongside the Environment Agency on July 3.
