Guidance needed!

[Newbiedoobie]

I have been looking into the world of kayaking for some time now and will soon be a buying an open top kayak for myself and family.

As a bit of a newbie, I am unclear on some of the legislation surrounding our rivers particularly with regard for access and some of the restrictions that we need to bare in mind before we dive in.

A layman's introduction would be very useful and would stop us getting into trouble with irate land owners and the old 5-0

What are the general rules on using our rivers and where might I find them!!

Thanks in advance

[edhunter]

You couldn't have asked a more difficult question. The commonly held belief on this forum and through most of the paddling world is that rivers of uncontrolled navigation there is a right to access assuming you egress on public land or where you have permission. however many of the landowning and fishing fraternity disagree with this. I have always paddled when and where I saw fit assuming sensible levels and with respect to anybody I met and have never really had any issues.

I would suggest you joining your local club though. They will be able to help you learn to paddle safely and teach you to be safe. They will also be able to advise you of any local issues.

[Darksideup]

Just type "River Access" in to the search box top left of the page, make a pot of tea and read the replies all day. Quicker to do as edhunter suggests and join a club.

[Mikers]

Yup, that's a damn difficult question to answer, people will swear that black is white and visa versa.

Tell us where you are and we might be able to suggest a suitable stretch of water in your locale. Better still, join a club and get them to show you the ropes. If you don't want to join, just attending a couple of sessions will probably give you safety basics.

[Big Henry]

I have been looking into the world of kayaking for some time now and will soon be a buying an open top kayak for myself and family.

Do you actually mean open top kayak? Also known as a SoT or Sit-on-Top, you sit in it and propel it with a double ended paddle, holding it in the middle like this:

A "normal" kayak uses the same type of double ended paddle, but the boat is enclosed. The paddler wears a spraydeck to cover the cockpit to keep water out, again whilst sitting down:

What I think you mean is variously called a canoe, a Canadian canoe, or more often an Open Boat. It is propelled by a single ended paddle, and you hold the other end of it. You kneel in it but rest your bum on a bar:

If it is the last type then you should really be asking on the Canoe Forum, although you can still get helpful advice on this Inland section of the forum. Apparently you don't actually have to have a beard to paddle an open boat nowadays, but I'm not so sure! ;->