Two paddleboarders were stopped by police and Environment Agency officers on the River Medway in Kent on July 3 and warned they could be fined up to £1,000 for not having a river licence.
Incident Details
Ross Mathieson, 35, and a friend were paddleboarding for around two hours when officers stopped them to check for a licence. In a video of the interaction, Mathieson's friend asks, "Are you going to fine me £1,000?" An officer replies, "No, I'm not." Mathieson then asks what happened and is told, "You need a river licence, my friend." Mathieson responds, "That's crazy," to which the officer says, "It is, we don't make the rules, I'm afraid."
Licensing Requirements
Officers took photos of the pair and advised them to join Paddle UK, the sport's governing body, which includes a waterways licence as part of its £65 annual adult membership fee. Licensing is required for paddleboarding on inland rivers and canals but not on the sea. Mathieson described his paddleboard as like a "bicycle on water" and said he would not pay the fee.
Public Reaction
Speaking after the incident, Mathieson said, "I said 'are you going to fine us?' and he said 'well no, but we will recognise you if you're on the water again.' He took photos of us." He added, "I'm not surprised at all, this is England what next. We're all used to it now, there's just so many petty little things - of course you can't have fun without paying." On TikTok, users expressed disbelief, with one writing, "It's madness, what damage do paddle boards do to the bank, unlike motorised boats?" Another asked, "Have you got a walking licence too?"
Official Statements
A Kent Police spokesperson said, "Maidstone officers have been carrying out dedicated patrols, alongside the Environment Agency, to offer words of advice about water safety and tackle reports of antisocial behaviour by the River Medway, between Lockmeadow and Allington Lock, over the summer." An Environment Agency spokesman added, "We manage and maintain more than 600 miles of inland waterways across England. Vessel registration fees contribute a reasonable proportion towards the cost of the navigation services and facilities we provide for river users, allowing us to keep them open and safe for thousands of boaters and others to enjoy."
