For years, access conversations in Wales have been framed around conflict, who can go where, when, and why. But that framing misses the heart of the matter entirely. Because access isn’t really about permission.

Access is about connection, to nature, to health, to our shared history, and to one another.

And when we shift the conversation from conflict to connection, something powerful happens: we realise we want the same things.

• Clean water.
• Healthy rivers.
• Thriving wildlife.
• Respectful interactions.
• Safe, joyful experiences outdoors.

These values unite paddlers, anglers, swimmers, walkers, conservationists, landowners and local communities alike.

Why Access Matters in Wales

Wales’ rivers and coastlines are more than recreational spaces, they are ecological arteries, cultural touchstones, and essential places of wellbeing. Paddle Cymru’s own purpose includes “protecting the environment and improving responsible paddlesport access to inland and coastal waters”.

Access matters because:

Water brings people together

From club paddle trips to family swims, moments on the water build communities. Shared use, when respectful, enriches everyone’s experience.

Time outdoors improves wellbeing

Improved access supports mental and physical health for people of all ages and backgrounds. Paddle Cymru’s strategic direction champions paddlesport as a lifelong pathway for wellbeing and participation.

Connection fosters stewardship

People who spend time on rivers become their greatest defenders. Clean‑ups, pollution reports, wildlife monitoring and advocacy often come from paddlers, anglers and swimmers alike.

Inclusive access supports a healthier environment

When user groups are involved in waterway decision‑making, there is better compliance, better communication, and better environmental outcomes. This is why Paddle Cymru sits at tables alongside NRW, fisheries groups, local authorities and cross‑party outdoor activity forums.

Why We Must Work Together, and Already Do

The idea that user groups are naturally at odds is outdated. Behind the scenes, collaboration is already happening every month across Wales.

Paddle Cymru maintains active relationships and advocacy work through:

• National Access Forum Wales
• Wye Navigation Advisory Committee
• Cardiff Bay Advisory Committee
• Outdoor Alliance Wales
• Wales Water Management Forum
• Wye Providers Forum, Welsh Dee Partnership, biodiversity and invasive species subgroups

These partnerships exist because everyone recognises that good access management requires partnership, not division.

Paddlers, anglers and swimmers share a surprising number of goals:

• Healthy fish populations - Paddlers want thriving rivers every bit as much as anglers. Many support spawning protection, redd awareness, and seasonal guidance.
• Safe, predictable interactions - A friendly wave or a simple call‑out on approach can diffuse 99% of potential tension on the water.
• Protection of riverbanks and wildlife - All users rely on stable habitats and clean water, no group benefits from erosion, pollution or disturbance.
• Clear, fair access arrangements - Ambiguity helps no one. Paddle Cymru’s ongoing work to advocate for responsible access, supported by its Access & Environment Committee, helps reduce uncertainty and improve cooperation.

What Respectful Shared Use Looks Like

This is where connection really comes to life. On the water, small actions make a very big difference.

For paddlers:

• Pass anglers quietly and widely, on the far side of the river where safe
• Avoid spawning areas and shallow gravels (especially October–April)
• Slow down near swimmers and communicate early
• Leave no trace at access/egress points
• Offer a friendly greeting, it goes further than you think

For anglers:

• Allow space for safe passage where possible
• Recognise paddlers are not harming fish stocks when navigating responsibly
• Share local knowledge on sensitive stretches or wildlife activity
• Acknowledge paddlers’ right to navigate statutory and tidal waters

For swimmers:

• Stay visible, especially around bends and narrow sections
• Enter and exit in clear spots where bank vegetation isn’t disturbed
• Communicate with paddlers when sharing a popular spot

For everyone:

Choose kindness first. Every user group is trying to enjoy the same beautiful space.

A Wales Where Water Connects Us

Paddle Cymru’s strategic vision: “Wales to be the best place to go paddling”, sits alongside a commitment to environmental protection and fair, responsible access.

This isn’t a vision built on competition. It’s a vision built on mutual respect, community spirit, and shared passion for the extraordinary waterways that wind through our country.

When we treat access as connection, not conflict, we protect both our rivers and our relationships. And that’s how we build a future where everyone feels welcome on the water.