Two individuals encountered the Environment Agency while paddleboarding on the River Medway in Kent. Ross Mathieson and a friend were approached by officers who checked for a license, which they did not possess. The officers informed them of a potential fine of up to £1,000 for not having the required license.
During the interaction captured on video, Ross’s friend questioned the possibility of a fine, to which the officer denied. Ross, who works in car recovery, expressed surprise at the situation and was told by the officer about the necessity of a river license. The officers advised them to join Paddle UK, which includes a waterways license in its membership fees.
The yearly adult membership fee for Paddle UK is £65, with licensing mandatory for paddleboarding on inland rivers and canals but not required for sea paddleboarding. Ross likened paddleboarding to a “bicycle on water” and indicated hesitance towards paying for the license after being made aware of the requirement.
Reflecting on the incident, Ross mentioned the officers’ response and the photographing of them. He expressed a lack of astonishment at the situation, citing the prevalence of such regulations in England. Social media users, particularly on TikTok, shared their disbelief regarding the encounter.
Kent Police noted that they have been conducting patrols with the Environment Agency to promote water safety and address antisocial behavior along the River Medway. An Environment Agency representative highlighted the management of over 600 miles of inland waterways in England, emphasizing the contribution of vessel registration fees to maintaining navigation services and ensuring safety for river users.