Dartmoor National Park Authority

Canoeing

Dartmoor National Park Authority -
Canoeing Position Statement - December 2009

Dartmoor National Park Authority (DNPA) welcomes canoeists to Dartmoor who undertake their recreational activity in a responsible manner and continues to actively work with the British Canoe Union, riparian owners and fishing associations to facilitate access arrangements.  The DNPA actively supports canoeing as a recreational activity, for example by organising and administering the canoe shuttle bus which operates at weekends between Newbridge and the River Dart Country Park.

The Authority has a duty to balance land and water-based recreational activities with the special qualities of national parks.  This is done through the promotion of codes of conduct via leaflets, website, information centres and the national park ranger service who are there to advise and assist the public.  No single recreational activity is considered more important than another.

The Authority follows the widely accepted and adopted position that there is no legal right to canoe on non tidal waters.  This is also the view held by the Environment Agency.  

However the Authority continues to support access agreements on the River Dart. We will also be looking at the potential to develop further canoeing opportunities within the national park as part of the work on our emerging recreation strategy.  The Authority is currently in the information gathering phase of developing the strategy which has involved facilitating a number of recreational focus group meetings, including one for canoeists. We are grateful for the positive input from the BCU and local canoeists to helping us to create opportunities for first class canoeing which do not conflict with other recreational and environmental interests

Andrew Watson
Principal Access and Ranger Officer
Dartmoor National Park Authority

Many hundreds of people enjoy canoeing on Dartmoor each year.  The heavy winter rains often produce seasonally exciting conditions within the National Park, making it a popular area for clubs from around the country.

River Dart Canoe Shuttle Bus - 2009/10 Season
The River Dart Canoe Shuttle Bus will be in operation from this weekend Saturday 31st Oct and Sunday 1st Nov 2009, and then most weekends after that until 14th March 2010 providing water levels are reasonable.
Please note that the shuttle bus will NOT run on 26/27th December 2009.

The route and times will be
10:00 - Buckfastleigh Steam Railway station at 10am, carrying passengers and boats initially to the .
10:30  - River Dart Country Park (RDCP) to Newbridge
This service will operate until 16:00 at regular intervals except
13:00 - 13:30 (approximately) A single minibus only run to Dartmeet.
A statutory driver break for 30 minutes.

This service is only possible due to the commitment of the River Dart Access Fund, River Dart Country Park and Dartmoor National Park Authority in making sure that canoeists are able to maximise their enjoyment of this stretch of river whilst not impeding the use of the road or car parks for other users of the area or locals.

The funding from the River Dart Access Fund is significant therefore its suggested that a contribution of £1.50 is made for each use of the shuttle bus.

Further information can be found on the River Dart Country Park  website (external website, opens in a new window) which will also alert canoeists if the shuttle is not running.

Where you can canoe
Dartmoor's rivers are home to many types of wildlife and are important for recreational fishing so waterborne activities, including canoeing, can only take place within the National Park, with the riparian owner's consent.  Such access is generally only offered to British Canoe Union (BCU) members.

The River Dart is the most popular canoeing destination in the National Park and the magnificent white water is considered by many canoeing enthusiasts to be amongst the best Mid Grade Runs in the west.  If you are planning to canoe the Dart please remember that the Dart valley is a habitat of European importance and has been identified as Prime Biodiversity Area by English Nature.  To preserve the special qualities of the area canoeing is only permitted during the winter months and the numbers of canoeists permitted to paddle on any one day are limited.  A booking system is operated on the Upper Section only by the British Canoe Union.

BCU River Dart Access Season

Upper section: Dartmeet to Newbridge - 1st Nov to 14th March

Loop/Middle section: Newbridge to Holne Bridge - 1st Oct to 14th March

For further information and to obtain a permit visit www.dartaccess.co.uk(external link, opens new window)

River Dart & Torridge Local Access Officers - Icarus & Fiona Edmonds Email: dartaccess@aol.com

Tel: 01805-623140 (Answered on Mondays 4-6 pm and Thursdays 10am-1 pm)

The Old Post House, St Giles-in-the-Wood, Torrington, Devon EX38 7JQ

Abandoned/lost Craft
Any abandoned craft which are reported to the Police have to be treated as an emergency and a search instigated. This often wastes valuable time and resources therefore, if you lose your boat and have safely come off the river please ensure the Police are immediately notified using the non emergency number 08452 777 444, providing
exact location - including river,
canoe - colour make and type and any significant identification features
canoeist details and contact numbers.

Canoeing with Moor Care and Less Wear

As canoeing tends to be concentrated within short spells of time when the river conditions are right please make sure that you adopt the following code of conduct to ensure that canoeists continue to be welcome within the National Park.

Code of Conduct

•Canoe only where there is an access agreement permitting you to do so.

•Canoe only during the season when access is allowed.

•Remember that access is permitted during daylight hours only, i.e. one hour after sunrise until one hour before sunset, in order to protect wildlife.

•Use only permitted access and egress points and do not disembark at any other point, except in an emergency (not for lunch or to repeat any part of the river).

•Take care when the ground is wet to minimise erosion to the river bank when entering or leaving the water.

•Avoid sudden or excessive noise or unnecessary disturbance to bankside vegetation.

•Show consideration for the local community and other National Park users when parking vehicles; do not obstruct gates and roads and avoid eroding the moor edge.

•Keep away from banks where angling is taking place.

•Canoe in small groups whenever possible and avoid loitering in pools if anyone is already fishing there.

•Change clothing discreetly and with consideration for other users of the National Park.

For your own safety and the safety of others, please:

•wear a buoyancy aid at all times;

•wear a helmet if you are likely to canoe in white/rough water;

•keep away from weirs and sluices.

All rivers receive some sort of dirty water; please make sure you:

•cover minor cuts and scratches with waterproof plasters before setting out;

•ensure that any abrasions received on or beside the water are washed under running tap water and covered with a waterproof dressing as soon as possible;

•avoid capsizing and try not to swallow river water;

•wear trainers or wet suit boots to avoid cutting your feet;

•wash hands before eating, drinking or smoking;

•do not drop litter or discard unwanted food – take your rubbish home with you;

•be aware of symptoms relating to waterborne illnesses such as Weil’s Diseases (Leptopsirosis) a bacterial infection carried in rat urine which contaminates water and river banks and leads to meningitis, jaundice and sometimes death.  If you do feel ill, particularly if you experience flu-like symptoms, tell your doctor that you have been canoeing.

Further Information

General and access enquiries

Email: recreation@dartmoor-npa.gov.uk

Page updated 4 March 2010