Two men were stopped by police while paddleboarding on the River Medway in Kent on July 3. Ross Mathieson and his friend were approached by police and Environment Agency officials during their two-hour paddleboarding excursion. The officers checked if they had a required licence, which they did not possess, leading to a warning about a potential fine of up to £1,000.
In a recorded exchange, Ross’s friend questioned the possibility of a fine, to which the officer responded negatively. Ross, who works in car recovery, expressed surprise at the situation and was informed about the necessity of a river licence. The officers advised them to join Paddle UK, the governing body for the sport, which includes a waterways licence in its membership fees.
The annual adult membership fee for Paddle UK is £65, with licensing only mandated for paddleboarding on inland rivers and canals, not in the sea. Ross likened paddleboarding to a “bicycle on water” and expressed reluctance to pay for a licence now that he was aware of the requirement.
Following the incident, Ross commented on the encounter, mentioning the officers’ response to their inquiry about a fine. He expressed a mix of surprise and expectation regarding the situation, citing the increasing regulations in England. Social media users also shared their astonishment at the incident, questioning the necessity of licences for paddleboards compared to motorized boats.
Kent Police stated that patrols were being conducted to ensure water safety and address antisocial behavior along the River Medway. The Environment Agency highlighted the significance of waterways licences in contributing to the maintenance and safety of inland waterways across England.
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