A man was stunned when police stopped him for paddleboarding and warned he could face a £1,000 fine for not having a river licence. Ross Mathieson, 35, was on the River Medway in Maidstone, Kent, on July 3 when officers from the Environment Agency and Kent Police approached him and his friend.
Police patrols target unlicensed paddleboarders
Video footage of the encounter, which has garnered over 607,000 views, shows Ross asking officers: "You need a river licence to paddle a paddleboard? That's crazy." The officers explained that a licence is required to avoid a hefty fine. According to PaddleUK, a waterways or river licence costing £65 is necessary for canoeing, kayaking, or stand-up paddleboarding on most rivers and canals in England and Wales. Failure to have one can result in a fine or being asked to leave the water.
Ross, a car recovery business owner from Rochester, Kent, has owned his paddleboard for two years without ever being stopped. He described the licence requirement as "ridiculous" and said he will "absolutely not" purchase one, preferring to "take his chances." He hopes to raise awareness because the potential fine could be "devastating" for others.
Disbelief and defiance from paddleboarder
"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?'" Ross said. "He said it carries a £1,000 fine, and I said, 'Are you going to fine us then?' The officer said: 'No, you have to be caught a few times.' Next thing they want £65 a year for a river licence. It's pretty crazy, I just think it's hilarious."
Ross questioned where the line is drawn: "If I turned up with a rubber ring, is that also a vessel that needs licensing?" The licence fees fund waterways authorities, helping to clean and maintain waterways and repair flood damage. Despite this, Ross remains defiant: "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."
Environment Agency defends licence requirement
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 they were patrolling the area with the Environment Agency on July 3.
