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The River Dart

Canoeing & Kayaking on the River Dart, Devon, England

BCU Access Season

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

Loop/Middle section: Newbridge to Buckfastleigh - 1st Oct to 14th March (See Latest News)

Lower section - Buckfastleigh to Totnes - 1st Oct to 31st Jan

Permission from the BCU LAO must be obtained before paddling.

All requests for the Upper must be accompanied by a

SAE, the ADMIN FEE and a BCU NUMBER.

We cannot process UPPER requests which are sent to us only days before the proposed trip.

NEW POSTAGE RULES - THIS WILL AFFECT YOUR BOOKING!

For info on other rivers in the South West click on the BCU South West Link above left.

Safety Information

PLEASE CHECK THE HAZARDS PAGE BEFORE PADDLING.

Canoeing is an assumed risk activity. The degree of risk may be related to factors such as water conditions, the paddler's experience and ability, and to unrecognised hazards in the river channel.
The granting of permission to paddle on this river does not imply that the river is safe or that the possessor of the permit is competent; each paddler must make their own assessment of the river's dangers before accessing the water. Neither the BCU (and its officers) nor the riparian owners can be held responsible for any accident or incident which may result from the granting of permission to canoe under the terms of the access agreement between the BCU and the River Dart Fisheries Association.

Permission to canoe is dependent upon the acceptance of this condition by all members of the group

NB Any abandoned boats which are reported to the Police have to be treated as an emergency and a search instigated. This often wastes valuable time and resources and does nothing for the reputation of paddlers as responsible river users!

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, provide exact location, river, canoe colour make and type and any significant identification features plus canoeist details and contact numbers. This would be much appreciated.