Punts and Kayaks
Mertonians may punt anytime between sunrise and sunset from Trinity Term until the start of Michaelmas Term. Punting is only permitted when water conditions are safe. You are responsible for checking this before heading out (instructions for doing this are in the Fleet Safety Regulations attached here).
Resident and Oxford-based Merton members may now bring visitors when they go punting, so long as the social distancing guidelines described in the safety regulations are still followed.
To use a punt or kayak, you will need to make a booking with the Holywell Lodge. You can visit them in person or call them (01865 271530). Punts and kayaks can be booked for 4-hour slots. You will need to provide your name, your desired booking time, and your phone number.
If you make a reservation, either use it or cancel it ahead of time! Repeatedly missing bookings may result in losing your access to the fleet.
When it’s time for your booking, go to the Holywell Lodge. You will trade in your bod card for a key. To get to the punt shed, please consult the attached directions. You can use the fob to access the punt shed and the key will correspond to one of the padlocks keeping a punt chained to the jetty. You’ll find poles, platforms, and cushions inside the shed.
COVID-19 MEASURES: Follow social distancing mandates at all times. Before you embark, you need to consult the inventory checklist on a table at the back of the shed. There you will list the names of those going punting, the date, and check off all the equipment you use. You must disinfect equipment before using it with the provided cleaning supplies.
When punting, please always place the wooden platforms on the bottom of the punt and place cushions on top of those to keep the cushions dry and clean.
COVID-19 MEASURES: If you are punting with someone outside of your household/bubble, only two people are permitted on the punt so that social distancing is maintained. (If you want to punt with a larger group of friends outside your household, consider booking multiple punts at the same time as a group.) If people share a household or are otherwise permitted to be in full contact, according to government social-distancing guidelines, then up to 6 people may be on a punt at once.
Food and drinks (including alcohol) are permitted on the punts, but please be responsible and ensure that whoever is operating the punt is always able to do so safely. Do not swim from the punts.
Give yourself enough time to get back to the punt shed and return the keys to Holywell Lodge before the end of your reserved time. Remember that you will need time to thoroughly disinfect all of the equipment you used during your outing, including the punt itself. Mark that you have done so on the inventory checklist in the shed. When chaining the punts to the jetty, make sure the padlocks click and are securely locked before you go.
If you discover a punt or other equipment has been damaged at the beginning of your booking, please call the Holywell Lodge and report the damages right away. Do not use a punt or kayak if it is taking on water or is otherwise unsafe to board. If you damage any equipment during your outing, please report it to the Holywell porter when you return the key. Swift and honest reports of damage will considerably help your case.