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British Canoeing and the Bridgewater Canal Trust are pleased to announce that stand up paddleboarding on the canal is now permitted with a British Canoeing On The Water membership .

For the first time in its 260-year history , stand up paddleboarding has arrived on the Bridgewater Canal .

Before now , paddling along this stretch of water was limited to canoes and kayaks , but after a recent survey highlighted public demand for the activity , Peel L & P ’ s Bridgewater Canal Company has worked with British Canoeing to approve the waterway for stand up paddleboarding ( SUP ).

Built by the Duke of Bridgewater , the Bridgewater Canal , stretches from Runcorn to Leigh and is thought to be England ’ s first canal . It was used to transport coal to the Duke ’ s mine at Worsley and today is a popular leisure attraction and a home for canal boat residents .

Paddlers wishing to SUP along Bridgewater Canal must be a member of British Canoeing . The Bridgewater Canal Company recommends paddleboarders wear high visibility clothing and a buoyancy aid whilst paddling this stretch of water .

British Canoeing Places to Paddle manager Ben Seal , said :

We have seen an explosion in SUP activity in the last 12 months . Equipment is now more accessible than ever and more and more people have started to discover the waterways that are on their doorstep through paddleboarding . I am sure this news will be welcomed by paddlers in the North West and anyone who loves getting out on our historic canal network .

In December 2020 , the Bridgewater Canal Company carried out a survey into the health and wellbeing benefits of the canal during the Covid-19 lockdowns and SUP was a popular request for additional recreational activities along the stretch of water .

Of 335 people surveyed , 284 said using the canal had positively impacted their mental health and wellbeing by an average of 84 %. More than 40 % also said the canal made them feel either ‘ relaxed ’ or ‘ happy ’.