Paddle Boarding in Wetherby Launch Points

Last updated on October 14th, 2023

Park at the Wetherby Leisure Centre (free) and walk up. You can inflate your boards on the field next to the car park or at the launch spot, plenty of space. Jump to Directions

A great little spot for paddle boarding is in Wetherby, a short walk from the Wetherby leisure centre where car parking is free. A height restriction of 2.2 meters in place so be careful campers*. The car park has the potential to be full as its a sports centre, playing fields and dog walkers favourite. Yet every time I’ve been there has always been spots, although a few times it has been near capacity.

There is another car park, Linton road car park*, on the other side of the river which is also free and no height restrictions*. Its a bit more of a walk and you would have to cross a road and Scaur Bank to climb up and down but you can still easily get to the river and paddle board. You can see the river side of Scaur Bank & the entry that point to the river in nodes 7 & 9 of the virtual tour respectively.

For Camper Van’ers

*For camper vans I would hazard a guess that Linton Road Car Park would be a great place to set up to explore Wetherby. Its a lovely town and the ability to be able to paddle board makes it an even nicer destination to visit and spend your money as you live the dream. They also have a glass recycling at the car park.

A great campervan hack is use the Sports Centres facilities to shower (Thank you Sharon). Any sports centre that I have used in the past have charged a small fee and are totally ok with it. Usually the price is listed on the website but probably useful to check first. View their website Wetherby Leisure centre, call 0113 376 0398 or email [email protected]. That way, if planning on spending the evening in Wetherby and you need to freshen up you wont get caught out. There is a foot bridge across the river, see maps and virtual tour.

For all the best SUP information around West Yorkshire its probably a good idea to join a Facebook group such as this one SUP-WestYorkshire or this one SUP Yorkshire. Whilst not a paddle boarding article this guy knows his onions about canoeing and provides detailed information and pictures of a much longer route of Castleton to Wetherby, you can read his article about that stretch of the river Wharf here.

Paddle Boarding & Licences

For the most part I would say get a licence, its cheap enough if you go through British Canoeing website. However, if you want to try paddle boarding first there are areas where no licence is required. The river wharf is 65 miles long and some sections are classed as non-navigable and my understanding is you do not require a river licence for those sections. However, don’t quote me, checking up on that information is a mine field. The river Wharf becomes classed as navigable according to the Waterways website from Tadcaster to its junction with the Ouse. The section between Ulleskelf and Cawood is tidal, which is again one of the criteria for not needing a licence. Find out more about Licences or to purchase from the British Canoeing website.

UPDATE it is confirmed that this stretch of water does not need a licence. This was found on a facebook post in a private group but if you join you can read it here SUP-Yorkshire.

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The Serious Stuff

Paddle boarding has made me slightly more interested in waterways and therefore I must virtue signal this to you. It seems like it is cheaper for water treatment companies to pay a fine (if caught) for dumping untreated sewerage into rivers than it is to deal with it as expected.

Between Linton & Wetherby, which this virtual tour encompasses a small part of, you are paddling between two sewer storm overflow outlets on that stretch. Downstream of one, Wattle Syke Cso (Yorkshire Water) Permit number: 27/20/0161 and slightly upstream of another Scott Lane Cso (Yorkshire Water) Permit number: WADC1313. You can view their dump outlets on the Rivers Trust website here and if you see any outlets dumping you can report it on these numbers. England, Scotland and Northern Ireland: 0800 80 70 60 Wales: Natural Resources Wales hotline: 0300 065 3000 Ireland: EPA Headquarters: 053 916 0600 / Lo-Call Number: 1890 33 55 99

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Rivers Trust website here

Solo – Social or Good Cause (Health Benefits too)

The great thing about paddle boarding is it can be done alone if you’re not in the mood to socialise and very easy to tag into many of the social groups that are around if you are, or need someone to show you the ropes; Facebook groups being a good starting place. There is always someone wanting a paddle boarding buddy. You can also join in on the litter picking and various campaigns about to clean up waterways. See planet patrol website for activity’s near you or view the Canal and Rivers Trust website for a vast range of volunteer information.

Personally, I think the health benefits are not just from the physical activity, I like to take a pack up or take my awesome suitcase BBQ and do sit down paddle boarding so I’m just chilling. Being on the paddle board, I think, can provide a welcome distraction from the stresses of modern life, and I choose my words carefully; as I’ve had to endure some intolerable criminal people who were actually engineering stress on my family and life (ongoing), so I know what I am talking about.

If you’ve got more stress than what you consider to be normal it can be really helpful to share or listen with others. Talking is a good outlet as is hearing others experiences. I often talk peoples ears off and feel like its unburdened me a little. I think strangers can sometimes be the best at listening. However, I know one guy who runs a men’s talking group (sorry women and non-binary community), which is really geared up towards discussing what I’m loathed to call mental health. So if you need to talk or listen with others andys man club is a good starting place.

If you want to try paddle boarding in a more organised manner there are loads of clubs available, go padding has a really extensive search to find the closest one to your location. Might as well combine the paddle boarding and chatting. If you’re not ready to purchase yet, there is the ability to rent boards either through a club or private rentals, I have one on fatllama. If you are ready to purchase I’ve added some eBay listings below, it should list new and used so could always get one cheaper.

Wetherby Leisure Center Location

For Sale on eBay

A Great Portable BBQ that can easily be taken on paddle boarding trips and camping. You can keep your charcoal, lighters and everything you need inside so it is ready to go every time you need it.

Events Happening near Wetherby

Enhance your visit to Wetherby with an other event see what’s on in Wetherby & surround areas here. Events near Wetherby.

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