2. Governing Body for Canoe Sport in the UK A growing membership + 7 % pa over the last five years with 57,000 members, 9,600 coaches, 625 clubs, 770 AALA centres Delivery of 3 Olympic Medals in Athens in slalom and racing The BCU is also a recreational and environmental body which teaches paddlers to care about the environment.

3. The BCU also works in partnerships with local authorities and other agencies Our members view themselves as guardians of the waterways and will also assist with the preservation of wildlife. Canoeing also contributes to the wider agenda with many programmes that reflect our social responsibilities such as working with young offenders and the socially disadvantaged.

4. The sport is not socially exclusive and is an affordable means of getting “on the water” for everyone, especially young people and families. Canoeing is an established, active water sport Canoeing is an increasingly popular recreation. Individuals acquire life-long skills, contributing to their personal and social development. Promotes a healthy life style, It is enjoyed by all ages, gender, race and ability. Canoeing is a truly inclusive activity – a sport for all

5. Currently we are ALL (swimmers, boaters, gorge walkers, waders etc) restricted to using the rivers that have either an ancient right of navigation still existing or have statutory rights of navigation created in more recent times.

7. Water-Based Sport and Recreation: The Facts (2000/01) BRIGHTON 2 - WATER BASED SPORT AND RECREATION - Improving Access for Canoeing on Inland Waterways – A Study of the Feasibility of Access Agreement (2003/04)

8. Minor development of current planning policy and strategies Targeted purchase of services and revised funding arrangements Targeted acquisition of land and water rights Voluntary agreements Voluntary agreements with dedication Compulsory access orders A selective increase in statutory rights of navigation Statutory rights of navigation to all major rivers, canals and water bodies

10. Rivers Access Campaign Delivered our manifesto to Parliament in November 2005

11. RIVER ACCESS FOR NON-POWERED CRAFT - 07.11.2005 Grogan, John That this House urges the Government to extend legislation on access to the countryside to allow canoeists and users of other non-powered craft the same access rights as those provided for walkers; acknowledges that the most successful Olympic canoeing nation, Germany, requires land owners to tolerate the use of non-powered craft on their waterways; and believes that with increased access to waterways, there will be greater participation in canoeing leading both to obvious health benefits for the nation and to increased chances of future Olympic success.

12. Uniquely within England and Wales it is claimed that control of navigation, amongst other things, lies with the riparian owners of the riverbanks. This principle does not apply anywhere else in the world. In this way the owner of each bank controls the use of the river up to the middle line. In order to ‘navigate’ along a river the permission of the owners of both banks for the full length of the journey must be obtained or a trespass situation might arise. This is the same for wading or even going with the children to catch sticklebacks!

13. In 2000 The Government appointed Brighton University to produce a report titled ‘Water-Based Sport and Recreation: the facts’ this established that: Length of rivers over 3 metres wide, approximately 65,000kms. (41,000 miles) Length of rivers, on which there is a public or a statutory (or licensed) right of navigation, over 3 metres wide 2,200kms. (1,400 miles) On the basis of the report the public have access to less than 4% of the rivers of England and Wales.

14. Canoes and other small craft (including those who want to wade etc) can use narrower waters and in fact the smaller streams often offer the most interesting and challenging water so the true figure for navigable rivers is substantially greater and the percentage available substantially less.

15. Retaining old fords Creating new access to the waters edge Car parking at strategic places including footpaths from car park to the water Signage…. Communication…leaflets..advertising etc Funding local development/access officers

16. Some of the most interesting waterways have no access rights Even if they are not suitable for canoeing they are of interest to others Canoe trails and links to other rights of way, campsites and places of interest etc…

17. Increased tourism with greater day and return visits Access to water can support the PE Sports Schools Clubs links and the National Curriculum where the possibility for cross-curricular activities are almost endless. Greater use can be made of Nature’s Classroom… Greater economic benefits to the rural/local economies Increased use of local facilities B&B, campsites, hostels etc as well as the purchase of local goods Greater employment opportunities e.g. livery Companies on lakes/rivers

18. Research work has shown that canoeing does not have an impact on the environment… Canoeists and other waterway users are the “eyes and ears of the water environment” and can be relied upon to report pollution problems, assist injured wildlife and undertake river clean ups. Memorandum of Understanding with English Nature Effects of Canoeing on Fish Stocks and Angling – Research and Development Technical Report W266 - The research found that there is no empirical evidence linking canoeing with damage of spawning grounds and stocks.

19. Whilst all water-based activities can have a direct impact on the environment, research undertaken on behalf of the Environment Agency found that over all canoeing is not harmful to fish populations The BCU’s Access strategy makes very clear that paddlers should undertake their sport in ways which do not have an adverse environmental impact. DEFRA believe that with sensible management it should be possible to accommodate the needs of both anglers and canoeists - We do not believe the access issue to be canoeing v fishing at all The Government is a firm believer in the benefits of outdoor recreation on land or water……Visitors are good for the local economy and people who exercise regularly are healthier than those who do not. So we are keen to promote recreational opportunities as widely as we can and this includes canoeing

20. Neil Ravenscroft (Brighton Uni) gave a presentation at the Outdoors Show in March 06 that “negotiating voluntary access agreements is an expensive and resource rich exercise. Neil Ravenscroft (Brighton Uni) also stated that the legal position is very unclear and needs clarification. Successive governments have encouraged canoeist to seek to negotiate voluntary access agreements. From over 66,000kilometres of rivers in England and Wales without a public right of navigation, only 812 kilometres of highly restricted access has been negotiated. Some agreements are for just a few days each year adding very little (1.2%) to the 4% of inland waterways with a public right of navigation.

21. Benefits from this would be felt within the local economy through increased tourism and the spending of the visitors locally. Greater use of the rivers available for local communities/schools and centres of Further Education

22. Canoeists for  recreation  training  education  competition Other water users.. Swimmers, boaters, Other sports and recreational bodies.. Cyclists, orienteerers, geocachers, walkers, adventure racers Well known youth organisations … Scouts/Guides, D of E, Those who think the situation is unjust/archaic and although not water users themselves feel that the situation should be the same as for walkers.

23. By working in partnership with the Regional Development Agency/Sports Boards/LAFs and other the appropriate bodies to provide opportunities for people to canoe Build on the interest for canoeing that will be generated by the 2012 Olympics Promote canoeing and related activities in this and other regions through a variety of mediums - To achieve access for all Support work being undertaken to encourage active participation in sport to unpin improvement in health etc