Invasive Non-Native Species and how you should clean your board after

How to clean a paddle board & care for it with our step-by-step guide, including detailed information from Paddle UK experts.

Paddlers play a vital role in keeping our waters free of harmful species. Invasive Non-Native Species (INNS) are plants and animals introduced into an area outside of their natural habitat. Most come from different continents.

INNS can negatively impact our health and the environment by reducing water quality and slowing down the flow of rivers.They can increase the threat of flooding and clog whole waterways. This prevents people from paddling in their favourite spots.

A man fixing an inflatable SUP on the beach while mother and look on

How To Clean a Paddle Board: A Step By Step

Including detailed information from Paddle UK experts.

Paddle UK is working to increase biosecurity, encouraging paddlers to Check, Clean, Dry.

STEP 1: Check

After leaving the water check boats for mud, aquatic animals or plant material.

Remove anything you find and leave it at the site.

STEP 2: Clean

Clean everything thoroughly using hot water, if possible, as soon as you can.

Pay attention to the insides of your boat and areas that are damp and easy to access.

Check your kit too. Invasive species love buoyancy aids and clothing.

STEP 3: Dry

Dry every part of your boat with a sponge or towel before leaving the site.

Some invasive plants and animals can survive for two weeks in damp conditions.

By following Check, Clean, Dry you can help stop the spread of invasive species.

How to check, clean and dry your stand up paddleboard | By British Canoeing

How to check, clean and dry your stand up paddleboard | British Canoeing

Here Are Some Common Invasive Species

Floating pennywort
Pennywort comes from South America and was introduced as an ornamental plant for garden ponds. It can grow up to 20 centimetres a day, blocking out light and reducing the oxygen for other plants and animals.

Paddle UK run volunteer groups across the country to tackle the problem.

Killer shrimp
This species, from Eastern Europe, is a predator of our native shrimp and fish eggs.
Killer shrimp can disrupt ecosystems through predation and its impact on food chains.

Parasites carried by killer shrimp could reduce fish stocks. They can be found in clothing and all types of craft.

Zebra mussels
Zebra mussels are found in rivers, canals and lakes. They can block pipes and affect lock gates. They can also smother native species and rapidly take nutrients from the water, altering ecosystems.

Quagga Mussels
These are similar to the zebra mussel but could be more invasive. They can significantly reduce native biodiversity and alter whole freshwater ecosystems.

Both zebra and quagga mussels can attach themselves to kit, paddle boards and kayaks.

Neil Heath
Senior PR and Communications Officer at Paddle UK
Neil is also the communications lead for the organisation’s Clear Access, Clear Waters campaign. He works closely with the team’s environment officers and other stakeholders to get the important messages out to the public. The campaign’s priorities include expanding our freedom to explore inland waters and for them to be free of pollution and invasive species.

close up of a ITIWIT SUP and paddle in water

Invasive Non-Native Species and how you should clean your board after

Neil Heath

Senior PR and Communications Officer at Paddle UK

Neil is also the communications lead for the organisation’s Clear Access, Clear Waters campaign. He works closely with the team’s environment officers and other stakeholders to get the important messages out to the public. The campaign’s priorities include expanding our freedom to explore inland waters and for them to be free of pollution and invasive species.