Paddle UK, the national governing body for paddlesports is pleased to announce it has teamed up with Noble Marine giving members exclusive discounts on a…
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Latest Updates
Water companies have released new maps showing near real-time storm discharge activity. Event Duration Monitoring (EDM) maps show, largely, when combined sewer overflows (CSOs) are…
Paddling is great for our health, enjoyment and wellbeing. However, there can be a risk of infection caused by microorganisms in the natural environment. Bacteria…
Paddle UK joins Clean Water Sports Alliance
Paddle UK has joined six other national governing bodies calling for clean open water for people to enjoy what they love. Along with British Rowing,…
The Wild Water Racing Committee is pleased to announce the teams for the 2024 international season, following the conclusion of the selection series which took…
Celebrating 50 Quality Clubs
Quality Club is Paddle UK’s accreditation programme for paddlesport clubs in England. Since its launch three years ago, it has helped more than 50 clubs…
Kingston kayakers complete Vohandu Marathon
Dave Rawding and Andy Davies have made history by becoming the first all British crew to compete in the 100km Vohandu Ultra Marathon in Estonia.…
Meg Eynon’s journey into white water kayaking
#ShePaddles Ambassador Meg Eynon has been kayaking for just over three years now. She went from never having stepped foot in a boat to gaining…
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Author: barrywade
Marketing and Promotion
The marketing and promotion of any event is essential in making sure members, potential participants and the wider public are aware of the event. Building awareness and excitement for your event can help to attract people to it as well as providing longer term benefits such as increasing your attendance at future events or the number of members within your club. There are a variety of marketing options available and it’s worth spending time exploring the benefits and limitations of these before deciding on the best ways to promote your event. In the past, more traditional marketing has been effective…
Finance
The principles of finance and budgeting are the same no matter how big or small the event is. It is important before you commit to running an event that you understand the likely expenditure and potential income streams. Some events are run to make a profit whilst others will need financial investment. If you are running an event through a club, a Regional Development Team or a Discipline Committee, financial policies and procedures probably already exist, e.g. a requirement for two signatures on any payment. It is important to identify at an early stage who has the authority to authorise…
Environment
We all have a responsibility for our environment. It is important that from the outset you consider any measures you can put in place to make the event sustainable and minimise the impact on the environment. Some of these measures may also save money for the event but if there are additional costs then you’ll often find that paddlers are prepared to pay a little extra if they know that it’s to support the environment. Environmental Considerations There are a number of ways that you can reduce the environmental impact of your event. Some of the ways that you can…
Venues and Facilities
This section provides a basic overview of things you may wish to consider on site during an event. If you are running a larger event then there is significantly more detail available on www.thepurpleguide.co.uk. The website requires a subscription which can either be gained by the club or if you have a specific question then the Paddle UK events team have a subscription and will be happy to pass on the relevant information. Selecting a Venue If your event is taking place at your own club, there may not be any decision to make about where your event should take place.…
Craft Insurance
Paddle UK have teamed up with Noble Marine giving members exclusive discounts on a range of products. Paddle UK members will receive 10% discount when insuring canoes, kayaks and paddleboards. Noble Marine also gives members the opportunity to add additional craft at any point which will give members 12.5% multiboat discount (max £150 discount per policy). There is cover for all grades of river while competition and racing cover is automatically included. European and worldwide cover is also available upon request. Why Noble Marine Cover for accidental damage, theft or fire to your craft and paddles. Competition & Racing cover…
Club Associate Membership
A Club Associate is a member of a club that is affiliated to Paddle UK who does not hold an On the Water membership (see below). Club Associates are only insured to paddle and volunteer during club activities, or to take part in specific introductory participation or competition events avoiding the need to purchase a Single Event Membership (Day Ticket). Clubs should register your membership to confirm the insurance and so that you receive updates with news, events and access to your qualification record for you and your club If you require insurance or a waterways licence for use outside…
Digital Membership
Access the latest news, expert paddling advice and top tips on where and how to paddle. Join our fantastic paddling community by signing up to FREE digital membership of PaddleUK Our digital membership allows you to stay up to date with all the latest information including safety guidance, activities and events happening near you. It’s designed to help, encourage and support you on your paddling journey. Giving you access to regular communications, offers and personalised login to our members hub where you’ll have your own paddling profile. Please note: By signing up as a digital member you don’t get access…
On The Bank Membership
Our On the Bank membership is ideal for volunteers and officials who want to be part of our community and benefit from insurance cover for their roles but don’t paddle. Volunteers contribute a huge amount to our sport through our events, disciplines and clubs. We’re incredibly grateful for the tremendous efforts that take place across the country to support activity on the ground, enabling paddlers to get the most out of their experiences. With On The Bank membership you will receive regular communications allowing you to keep up to date and connected with the paddling community but also get access…
On The Water Membership
Paddle UK’s On the Water membership is your gateway to the waterways. Giving paddlers instant access to the most comprehensive and best-value waterway licence available. Plus insurance, top tips and a range of member discounts and offers. By having a waterway licence you’re paddling responsibly. A contribution of licence fees goes towards supporting the work that waterway authorities carry out to maintain and protect managed waterways. Ensuring they are kept clean and safe for us and future generations to enjoy! Membership covers all types of paddling whether it’s recreational or competitive, including kayaking, canoeing, stand-up paddleboarding and inflatables. Did You…
Supporting Paddlers
Supporting paddlers and paddling is core to Paddle UK membership. Individual On the Water membership allows paddlers to access a waterway’s licence and third-party liability insurance. Also, paddlers enjoy a range of fantastic specific offers and opportunities. All of this comes at great value, costing less than £1 a week. If these elements were sourced externally the costs would be much higher for the same level of cover and benefits. But not only that, membership fees contribute to much, much, more… What does membership money contribute towards Income generated by membership fees is reinvested back into supporting projects that benefit…
Equality, Diversity, Inclusion
Paddle UK is committed to ensuring everyone is able to access and enjoy paddlesports, regardless of their identity, background or circumstances, whether they wish to paddle recreationally, represent their country on the world stage, or give back to the community through coaching or volunteering.
Supporting Clubs and Paddling Centres
Clubs are a major source of paddling activity, whether you are new to paddling or you are into competition. A core part of Paddle UK’s work is to support around 400 clubs, helping them to take advantage of the benefits of being part of our club affiliation recognition scheme. This scheme applies to clubs in England, with similar recognition schemes run by our colleagues in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Only affiliated clubs are listed on our website Services Lookup, or on Go Paddling, our recreational paddling website. Also, PaddleBot will only guide you towards affiliated clubs. This is because…
Awards and Qualifications
The British Canoeing Awarding Body is the independent qualifications and training body for Paddle UK and the national associations for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. It is the only Awarding Body for paddlesport activity in the UK. It believes in a participant-led approach when creating and enabling experience from which people will enjoy, learn and develop through paddlesport. We ensure the experiences are delivered in an individualised way that also supports the inherent social aspects of the sport and fosters a sense of a paddling community. We believe that through this paddlers will achieve success; this success being focused on…
World Leading Training
Paddle UK offers world class quality training under the brand name of Paddles Up Training. You can find out more about Paddles Up Training courses by asking PaddleBot or searching the Paddle UK website. What is Paddles Up Training? Paddles Up Training supports the development of paddlers to achieve their goals. This ranges from getting into a boat or on a board for the first time to becoming a Coach and supporting other paddlers. As such, we have over 40 years’ experience of providing paddlesports training and qualifications. We are the largest provider of British Canoeing Awarding Body Qualifications and…
Winning Medals on the Global Stage
Paddle UK supports the most talented athletes in the Olympic disciplines of Canoe Slalom and Kayak Cross, Canoe Sprint and Paracanoe to perform and win medals at the highest level, working towards Olympic and Paralympic success. Meet our Paracanoe athletes here Meet our Slalom and Kayak Cross athletes here Meet our Sprint athletes here Paddle UK operates two fully supported centralised WCP training environments through its two High Performance Centres. The National Water Sports Centre in Nottingham is the home for the Canoe Sprint and Paracanoe programmes The London 2012 Olympic Venue Lee Valley White Water Centre hosting the Canoe…
Nurturing Athlete Talent
The England Talent Programme launched in April 2013. It aims to develop a world leading talent infrastructure for athletes throughout England. It is led and managed by Paddle UK and funded by Sport England. The Programme’s Purpose To support talented athletes, coaches and clubs to be the best they can be. To support success in paddling and life To have a positive impact on all those who pass through the programme. Investment and support of promising young athletes remains crucial to the continued success of our sport. The England Talent Programme is passionate about developing athletes not only to become…
International Events
Paddle UK has delivered a number of international events in the UK to showcase the sport on the biggest stage. Our Events Lee Valley White Water Centre, built for the London 2012 Olympic Games, played host to the 2015 and 2023 ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships, and a 2019 ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup event. The 2023 World Championships was the Slalom team’s most successful ever Championships, with four World Champions, eight medals and four quota places secured for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games on home soil. The National Water Sports Centre at Holme Pierrepont in Nottingham hosted the 2022…
Access and Environment
One of Paddle UK’s major campaigns is to open up access to waterways. England and Wales have some of the most restricted access to water in the world. Only 3.4% of our rivers have an uncontested public right of navigation. Our communities are rarely far from rivers, canals or lakes. Yet the vast majority of us are unable to access them. Our blue spaces of rivers, estuaries, canals, reservoirs and lakes touch our lives in many ways. They provide water for us to drink, they help grow our food and also provide a means of transport. Blue spaces can be…
Introduction to Paddle UK
Previously named British Canoeing, PaddleUK has been around since 1936 when it was the British Canoe Union. In 2000 we federalised to become the umbrella organisation for the home nation associations in Scotland (Paddle Scotland), Wales (Canoe Wales) and Northern Ireland (Paddle Northern Ireland). We are still the membership body for England and are responsible for developing the sport within England. Our Purpose and Vision “Inspire people to pursue a passion for paddling; for health, enjoyment, friendship, challenge and achievement”. Today PaddleUK is responsible for leading and setting the overall framework for all the National Associations and includes areas such…
Broadway’s Meadow
On the banks of the River Soar in Leicestershire, Broadways Meadow enables the safe landing and launch for paddlers on one of East Midland’s most popular rivers.