Across the UK there is over 4700 miles of canal, linking up towns and cities across the country. These canals are managed by a wide number of authorities, with a Paddle UK membership giving you access to almost all of them. The Canal and River Trust are in charge of around 2000 miles of these canals across England and Wales, which houses over 1000 locks! And did you know that most of these are over 200 years old. With so many on our waterways it is important to know how to safely paddle near them.
On average, a lock holds 290,000 litres of water which is a lot! All this water being pulled into a lock and pushed out the other side can create some powerful currents under the surface of the water. So with this in mind, don’t attempt to paddle through them. It is far safer, and often faster, to jump out and walk around them.
Take care when approaching a lock, often you cannot see if a larger boat is about to exit the lock. With this in mind, you should look to get off the water around 50m ahead of the lock. This will help to ensure you are safe from any currents caused by the lock and are visible to larger boats exiting the lock. Make sure the place you choose to get off at is safe and suitable for the craft you are paddling.
Once on land, make your way around the lock, following any portage signs you may see. Find a launch point around 50m past the lock to safely jump back on and continue on your way. If the lock is part of a flight and the pond (stretch of water between locks) is less than 100m long, it is often easier to walk around the whole flight and relaunch where the canal continues.
Remember to stay safe while paddling on canals. There are lots of other users to be aware of and potential hazards to be weary of. Make sure you read through our ‘How to paddle on canals’ guide to stay safe while you enjoy the water.