Access and Environment

Olympic gold medalist Etienne Stott is backing the Climate and Nature Bill as it makes its way through Parliament. The Bill, which has its second reading on 24 January, is being sponsored by Dr Roz…

The Big Paddle Cleanup is Paddle UK’s annual environmental campaign. In 2024, 3,699 amazing volunteers collected 1,888 sacks of plastic waste and other junk from our precious waterways. The Big Paddle Cleanup will return from…

The Clean Water Sports Alliance has won the Sport for Change Award 2024 at the Sport Journalists Association (SJA) Awards. The Alliance, of which Paddle UK is a member, was recognised for its work in…

A public consultation into changes to bathing water rules, which ends on 23 December, is including paddlers for the first time. The biggest change since 2013. Currently only swimmers are included in the definition of…

Paddle UK and the Clean Water Sports Alliance welcome the launch of a new National Storm Overflow Map, published by Water UK – the water sector umbrella body. It means paddlers, swimmers, surfers, will be…

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 and viruses can be picked up through cuts or through…

Phil Brickell, who was elected as MP for Bolton West, in July, is a passionate kayaker and believes paddlers have a crucial role to play in looking after our waterways. He is helping to keep…

Paddle UK is deeply saddened to have learnt of the passing of Eddie Palmer. Eddie was one of the longest standing Paddle Scotland members, a former Scottish Canoe Association board member and Chair, and a…

The Clean Water Sports Alliance, which Paddle UK is part of, is welcoming an independent commission looking into the largest review of the water sector since privatisation. The commission will have an independent chair, Sir…

The Clean Water Sports Alliance's call for healthy and nature-rich blue spaces for everyone to enjoy has been recognised at the BBC Green Sports Awards 2024. The Alliance, of which Paddle UK is a member,…

Paddlers can play a vital role in keeping our waters free of harmful species. Invasive Non-Native Species (INNS) are plants and animals introduced into an area outside of their natural habitat. Most come from different…

River Action's March for Clean Water, which Paddle UK is supporting, will now take place in Central London on Sunday 3 November. The organisers said it was an “extremely difficult decision” to make, but due…

Volunteers have been broadcasting local seed by hand to restore Paddle UK's Toll Paddock site on the River Wye back to a species rich floodplain meadow. Toll Paddock, Hoarwithy, is located alongside the banks of…

The Clean Water Sports Alliance, which represents thousands of members, elite athletes and recreational water users, has welcomed four new members. The Alliance, which united in April over the issue of water pollution, has become…

The Secretary of State for Defra, Steve Reed OBE MP, has announced plans for a new Water (Special Measures) Bill. The new legislation, which will apply in England and Wales, will give increased power to…

Ben Seal, Head of Access & Environment at Paddle UK, explains how by increasing access to our rivers it could also make them cleaner. At a time when concern about the cleanliness of our rivers…

Adventurer Ed Pratt has completed a solo mission to travel the length of the River Thames from source to sea. He recorded a daily video about his trek on Youtube and raised about £22,000 in…

Our Olympians and Paralympians understand the issues facing paddlers in our blue spaces. They also know why it’s important to leave a lasting legacy for future generations. Olympic gold medalist Joe Clarke MBE and Olympian…