Paddleboards, canoes and kayaks will not have to register for a permit with the state. The proposal was shot down at Florida Fish and Wildlife workshop Wednesday.

  • Florida Fish and Wildlife shot down proposal for non-motorized boat permit
  • Permit program would have affected paddleboards, canoes and kayaks
  • Groups said it would help pay for law enforcement, other services

The Non-Motorized Boat working group discussed the possibility of creating a permit program for non-motorized boats, including paddleboards, canoes and kayaks.

The working group proposed the program to help pay for law enforcement, access to paddling areas, and search and rescue operations.

For local business owners, who work with in the paddle industry, the proposal was alarming.

“My initial thought was that it was unnecessary government regulation,” the owner of Paddle Board Orlando, Ned Johnson, said Wednesday.

Johnson has owned Paddle Board Orlando for seven years. He builds he own boards and sells them at the shop where he offers paddleboard lessons.

“I love the feeling that it gives you just sliding across the water. Standing up and paddling along is just very peaceful and calming,” Johnson said.

He says none of his boards have registration numbers, so he says permitting paddle boards may not be feasible. Permitting could also come with a high price tag that may hurt his business.

“I think it takes away from the simplicity of kayaking and paddleboarding if you add regulations and registrations -- so my message would be that we don’t need it,” Johnson said.

Fortunately for Johnson, Wednesday’s working group decided not to recommend any permitting program to the FWC’s boating council. Which means, for now, regulation is off the table.

When we reached out to the FWC about the permitting proposal, their Executive Director, Nick Wiley, said they have no intention of increasing fees through a permitting program.

“Today, a group of citizens and stakeholders charged to make recommendations to FWC’s Boating Advisory Council considered a proposal for expanding vessel registration to non-motorized boats in Florida. The FWC appreciates the work of this advisory group, but we are not supportive of increasing fees on Floridians or visitors who participate in non-motorized boating. The FWC greatly values our boating community and will continue to work hard to keep Florida’s standing as the boating capital of the world without increasing costs and fees.”

However, this meeting was the second time in five years the work group has looked into recommending increased regulation. Johnson said he just hopes it’s the last time it’s brought up.