Press Release 23 Jan 2007 BRITISH CANOE UNION PRESS RELEASE 23rd January, 2007
It has taken a lot of lobbying to get this opportunity, and until now we have had to keep our activities quiet so as not to prejudice the work that has been done. Members writing to their MPs have helped in the lobbying process as more and more MPs now recognise that voluntary access agreement will not work and another way forward has to be sought. Thank you for your support
BRITISH CANOE UNION PRESS RELEASE 23rd January, 2007
The Rivers Access Campaign highlights the need for new legislation with a ten minute rule bill - Public Access to Inland Waters Bill 2007 Ten Minute Rule Bill - Public Access to Inland Waters Bill 2007 - is being presented today, Wednesday 24th January, by Des Turner, MP for Brighton on behalf of the Rivers Access Campaign and general public. The Bill outlines the need for legislation, similar to the Scottish Land Reform Act 2003. The legislation would identify canoeists and other water user’s right to access the waters as well as codify their responsibilities. Over the past year, the Rivers Access Campaign has received increased publicity (see ref 1.0) in national and international media, today’s Ten Minute Rule Bill will show that legislation is the only way forward for access to inland waters. It will help keep the rivers access issue firmly on the Government’s agenda.
Chief Executive, Paul Owen comments, “Opening up rivers would help the BCU achieve its sporting and recreational aims. Greater access would also enable us to assist in reaching the Government’s aims for outdoor educational, participation in physical activity and the health agenda.”
The Countryside Right of Way legislation (CRoW), which gives some people the right to roam, has not included everyone. Canoeists, swimmers, non-powered watersports have not been given the right to roam right to go to, on, traverse or in waters which have no access agreement or public right of navigation. Even if you want to watch wildlife from a boat/canoe, put your hot feet in the water after a walk, or allow you children to wade in a river on a hot summer’s day you could be committing trespass if there is no access to or along that waterway. Despite lobbying, water was taken out of the CRoW Act at the eleventh hour and still there is no access to and along 98% of the rivers in England and Wales.
In essence England and Wales have a natural heritage which provides great opportunities for open-air recreation and education. Open-air recreation provides people with great benefits for their health and well-being and contributes to the good of society in many other ways. The Public Access to Inland Waters Bill (2007) gives everyone (non-motorised users) statutory access rights to and along most inland waters. However, people will only have these rights if they exercise them responsibly. All rights of navigation will continue to exist and are unaffected by the Public Access to Inland Waters Bill (2007)
Why Legislation and why voluntary rivers access agreements do not work From over 41,00 miles (66,000kms) of rivers in England and Wales without a public right of navigation, only 510 miles (812 kilometres) of mostly highly restricted access has been negotiated. Some agreements are for just a few days each year adding very little to the 2% of inland waterways with a public right of navigation. Ultimately, access is in the hands of riparian owners. If they refuse to engage in negotiation, there is no way a canoeist or others can make progress.
Legislation, such as this Bill, will codify responsible access to and along water. It protects the environment and activities of canoeists, anglers, other users and landowners who are all required to adhere an Access Code. One similar to that of the Scottish Outdoor Access Code would be developed to support the Bill. A legal right of access to rivers would provide more recreational opportunities for a group of people who want to use the water for recreational and educational purposes including canoeists, swimmers, and boaters and members of the general public with knock-on benefits for public health. The recreational aspects of canoeing could coincide effectively with government’s “everyday sport” and Welsh Assembly Government’s “Climbing Higher Strategy” if only river users had more access.
Legally protected access would provide clarity and certainty for those visiting our inland waters and remove the potential for conflict. Canoeing can provide numerous benefits to the individual and as well as community.
Our sport and recreation, which is currently the most popular watersport in the UK, contributes to the Government's targets on; health - it is a healthy outdoor activity which encourages a respect and passion for nature and the environment. It also contributes to the local and national economy. With the London 2012 Olympics on the not too distant horizon, England and Wales should have the same access to our waters as the rest of the World. Water related activities are dramatically on the increase and access would provide millions of people with the opportunity to recreate near their homes and on a variety of waters. The Campaign is supported by; the Inland Waterways Association, the canoeing community, many sporting and non sporting bodies, uniformed youth organisations and the thousands who think the law is archaic and needs to be clarified though new legislation.
Back from Andorra (yes, snow was sh*t, but still managed 4 hours snowboarding a day) and just catching up on what's been happening on various blogs. Of real interest was a blog on PesdaPress that Mark Rainsley (pictured left) has started a blogging on his progress in putting together a guide to sea kayaking in the south west (UK).
I think this will be really interesting to keep visiting for two reasons, firstly to see how the book is getting on and secondly, to gain an insight into what putting together a book is all about. As this quote shows, there's a lot more to it than you might think..
"What is different this time?
Well, the first culprit is Pesda Press, the publishers. They have supplied a daunting pamphlet full of rules and conventions to follow. These rules are 30% absolute, 30% relative and 40% nebulous. For example, you’d never believe what a big deal it is, trying to figure out whether to type ‘miles’ or ‘kilometres’ (or ‘km’ or ‘knots’ or ‘nm’ etc.). Don’t get me started on numbers. Added to this is the business of explaining tidal flow and behaviour, which is a bit like trying to nail jelly to the ceiling, with ‘amusing’ consequences for future paddlers if I make even a minor mistake. I am culling information from several sources and often they don’t even have the good grace to agree with one another…arrgggh."
Good luck Mark, and I'm looking forward to more posts.
Read more:
I'm off to Arinsal, in Andorra, this coming Sunday for a week of snowboarding.
Unfortunately, the snow conditions in Arinsal are not good, not good at all - 30cm or so deep, being maintained by snow cannon as it hasn't snowed in ages, and what is there is apparently turning to slush in the afternoon. I reckon I've had better days snowboarding in the UK.
However, thankfully I'm also off to Whistler in Feb for two more weeks of snowboarding, and there the conditions couldn't be more different. It seems they're having one of the best years for a long time - knee deep in powder, with lots more forecast.
Meanwhile in the UK, it's rain, rain, and more rain. Most of the population is moaning, but us deviant river kayakers are loving it.
So, is all this the effects of global warming? I don't know - maybe Ollie has the answers.
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Around about 12 years ago I competed in a couple of waveski surfing competitions, and to be honest, I didn't really enjoy them so didn't continue to compete. I found that I didn't enjoy the competitive nature of these events, and I couldn't switch on quick enough to deliver the goods in the 20 minute heats, preferring to enjoy my surfing at a leisurely pace. I became a kayaking soul-surfer, preferring to just get on with it and ignore the competitive aspect of the sport. That said, I didn't just sit still, I moved from waveskis to kayaks, became a BCU Level 4 surf kayak coach, and have helped introduced many kayakers to the subtle art of kayak surfing. I just didn't do competition.
Just before xmas, a post was placed on the UKRiversGuideBook forum that the BCU were going to run a 'fun' competition within a couple of hours from my house, there was some interest from various people I knew, and various members of the forum (like Stoneweasel aka Denzil) who I hadn't met were going to be there, so I thought why not?
Around 9am, on Saturday 6th January, Neal Burton, also from Weymouth, and I arrived at the venue ready for signing up. There were a number of people milling around, some of whom I knew from previous encounters, some of whom I recognised because of stuff I'd seen on the net, and others who I didn't know. Probably about 20 or so of us signed up, and not having competed before I signed up for both the novice and the open competition. A few others came over and introduced themselves as fellow novices, and friendly banter between us all ensued.
Heats were quickly arranged, and the comp kicked off around 10.30'ish, however I decided a bacon sandwich was in order so wandered off, lost track of the time and ended up rushing to get changed, haul myself and my boat down to the water and paddle out when my time came to compete!
Paddling out in my first heat, in the open competition, I knew I didn't stand any chance of doing well. Not only had the excesses of xmas taken its toll on my health and fitness, but I was up against Steve Bowens, one of the big names, and Ed Long, who I knew from his days at Weymouth Outdoor Education Centre. I knew nothing about the fourth and final competitor in my heat, but hoped that I could at least beat him - or rather not come last!.
Boy, did I work hard in the 15 minutes the heat lasted trying to get the waves I needed. I felt pleased with two of the waves I had, but couldn't bring it together to get a third decent wave - my best three were going to count. I came off the water, exhausted, and way to hot in my winter 5mm steamer that I use for long winter sessions. I now realised why the others were dressed lighter than I was. But it was worth it, I'd achieved my aim and wasn't last. I'd got through to my next heat.
My second heat, was an absolute disaster! On my first decent wave, I got caught out in the shore break and wiped out. Whilst rolling up, I aggravated a snowboarding back injury, my deck imploded, and I was later to discover I'd cracked the gelcoat on my surf kayak - possibly head butting it. I wasn't expecting to get through this heat, so decided it was time to retire..
Each competitor took turns judging other heats, so I spent the rest of the day helping out with this, and supporting Neal who was doing very well. Judging was great fun, it was all very informal and light-hearted, sometimes with a sadistic nature when watching over people get wiped out or stuck inside. It makes you wonder what the judges were thinking when I was on the water, but I'm not sure I really want to know.
I'd lost track of who was competing by the end of the event, people simply became 'the one in the red/blue/black/white bib', but it was great watching some of the big names show their stuff.
I really enjoyed the whole day - it was a fun, light-hearted event, I got to catch up with various friends I hadn't seen for a while, and meet a few new ones. Travelling to a new venue, and watching other surf kayakers in action, has given me some food for thought on how to improve my surfing (starting with competitive fitness). I'm not going to become a competition junkie, but I reckon I could be turning up at a few others this year.
I'm sure a number of you will have seen this already - it's certainly been on UKRGB, but this sort of thing needs as much promotion as possible.
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Roger L. Revell has set up a petition at http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/Canoeists/ calling for the Government to pass legislation to give canoeists and all other users of un-powered craft the free right to navigate all rivers and canals in England and Wales (similar to the right already enjoyed by cyclists to use bridleways, cycle tracks and roads). http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/Canoeists/
Please have a look at it and consider adding your name as a signatory. The more names it can receive will show the Government once again how important access is to a large part of the population. People want to enjoy their natural heritage for many reasons. In this day and age the restrictive situation in England and Wales is very archaic and needs changing.
Remember that after signing the petition, you will receive an email from the Government website. Your name will not be added to the petition unless you respond to the Government website’s email.
What we are calling for is the type of legislation that is a version of the Scottish Land Reform Act 2003. This Act is applicable to manually powered craft. The Act codifies responsible access to land and water it protects the environment and activities of all canoeists, anglers, other users, and landowners who are all required to adhere to the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. This Act gives rights but also responsibilities and covers all users of the outdoors. The Act has been successfully implemented in Scotland so why not else where.
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