1. Wales The Jewel in the Crown for Canoeing?

2. The WCA Welsh Canoeing Association – company ltd by guarantee
Sports Council for Wales recognised NGB for Canoeing in Wales
Federal Links with the British Canoe Union
Home Nations C.A.N.I, CE, SCA

3. The WCA Coaching and Coaching Development
Participation and Club Development
Performance and Excellence
Development of the Paddle Sport Disciplines
Management of Canolfan Tryweryn

4. Canolfan Tryweryn The National White Water Centre, Bala
Environment Agency Wales owned site
Unique resource in the UK
Dam released river – providing 250 days of high class white water per year.
Used for competition, recreational paddling and as the largest rafting operation in Europe.
Approx 70,000 Visitors per annum

5. Canoeing Not just something we all did once upon a time in our youth…
Sport and a recreation with many disciplines
Tourism Activity
Educational Tool
Form of Employment
Environmentally friendly activity
Sport that offers something for everyone

6. Something for Everyone

7. Something for Everyone

8. Something for Everyone

9. Something for Everyone

10. Something for everyone

11. Canoeing in Wales Over 60 clubs in Wales
2 Million People canoeing each year (UK)
Estimate 20,000 people canoeing in Wales each weekend
Climbing Higher – canoeing can meet the social, health and sporting goal of this initiative
Medals for Wales / GB Olympic and World stage
Employment / Tourism

12. Is Wales the Jewel in the Crown?

14. Barriers to access Legal Framework in relation to access to water:
Dated: Law from the time of William 1st and Charlemagne – water sport a modern invention
Current Interpretation
Unless you are paddling on a Navigation, or tidal section of water:
Need the permission of the land owner to get to the water, and
Permission form the riparian / sporting rights owners to use the water
This permission is all too often withheld!
There is no obligation on riparian owners to provide access to water for recreation.
Riparian Owners / tenants often seek impose exclusive use

15. Access to Water Wales has over 300 rivers that are canoeable
Access is available to small sections of 13 of these rivers
In England and Wales :
Less than 4% of the linear river resource in England and Wales has any public access or rights of navigation
Or:
Only 1,000 miles out of 40,000 Miles is available for use

16. Problem Exclusive to England and Wales
In most other countries the public has rights to access water for sport and recreation.
Iraq??
Scotland (Law is different)
Traditional right to roam extended to water
Scottish Land Reform Bill –
Enshrined these rights +
Gave responsibilities to those using the land / code of conduct under this legislation

17. Massive problem for canoeing in England and Wales
Canoeing has realised this
Problem for WTB, Tourism
Problem for Government / UK Sport
Problem for the public
Problem for rowers
Swimmers
Gorge Walkers; and
River Surfers / any new water sport….

18. What can be done Legislative Change C.R.O.W Act 2000
Did not include water / access to water.
Rivers Access Campaign –
BCU Initiative to seek changes to allow access for all forms of non-powered craft

19. Rivers Access Campaign
Lead to 2 studies by DEFRA
Confirmed that access to water is a problem
With access 96% of waters restricted
Listed a number of ways to address the problem
Range
Access Agreements Full legislation

20. DEFRA / EA Access Projects
In England Only
4 Possible agreements to 4 rivers over 2 years
BCU happy to see these initiatives as a start:
Agreements will not do the job for water sport.
7816 rivers to tackle ……
50 years of effort and negotiation= 4% resolved via access agreements!
Funding limited… Government agency undertaking the work
May not give what need now / future
(Some agreements are for only a few days of the year(
Little surprise BCU considers legislation to be the only appropriate way to address the problem.

21. All party group on Waterways
Consider the missed opportunities for
Sport & Recreation, Health / fitness
Tourism
Employment
Widen the remit of the group to look at all forms of water.
Investigate the legal position and push for changes in Wales / progress towards greater access to water.
Legal position is unacceptable / antiquated
Conflict will arise if this problem is not dealt with centrally.

22. Cardiff Bay WCA Remit to address Access
Produce Facilities for year round canoeing
Cardiff Bay: Partnership with C.H.A
Secured access to the Bay and sections of the Taff and Ely.
Secured the employment of a full time development officer
Secured the development of a paddle sport centre to develop both canoeing and rowing in Cardiff & water sport participation

23. Cardiff Bay White Water Centre

24. Cardiff Bay White Water Centre