This year we are hoping to further encourage access to blue spaces and we want more of you to enjoy the many benefits of being out on the water; but our waterways are in crisis from all kinds of pollution. Our campaign last year saw 35 clubs request free Litter Picking Kits, nearly 60km of rivers, banks and shore line being cleared and as much as 204 bags of rubbish were collected in Wales alone!
So it's clear that as paddlers, we can make a real difference to our blue spaces as we can access those hard to reach spots and remove litter and other rubbish from our waterways. Making it a better environment for everyone and it certainly helps kick those January blues by doing something good if you would like to start early.
The Watersports Participation Survey, in 2021, suggested that a whopping 7.6 million people, across the UK, had either Kayaked, used a Canoe or a Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP). Imagine the positive impact if we all work together. That’s why we’re inviting the whole paddling community to join us this year allongside those at British Canoeing to help us to remove 500 sacks of litter from our inland and coastal waters between 27th May and 11th June 2023.
We are in a unique position as paddlers as we can collect litter and rubbish from places others are unable to access. By taking part in a paddle clean-up you’ll be:
- Helping to minimise pollution and improve the health of our waterways
- Helping to protect wildlife
- Connecting with nature
- Enjoying the wellbeing benefits of being in blue spaces
So show your support for our blue spaces in Wales by getting involved in Glanhad Mawr wrth Badlo / The Big Paddle Clean-up between 27th May and 11th June 2023, although you can arrange your own at any time.
How to get involved
Organise a paddle clean-up with friends! For helpful resources, click here.
Get your club to organise a paddle-clean up! Pick when & where you would like to go, get your club together, bring along your free litter pick kit and get picking!!
Get that clean-up on the map! Once you have completed your paddle clean-up, log it here.
Help spread the word and join in the action. Don’t forget to use our hashtags #BigPaddleCleanup #GlanhadMawrWrthBadlo and tag @CanoeWales and @BritishCanoeing in your social media posts too so we can see your clean ups!
More info for Paddle Clean-ups in Wales to follow shortly! In the meantime, you can check the Clear Access Clear Waters resources here:
https://clearaccessclearwaters.org.uk/bigpaddlecleanup/
Free Litter Picking Kits for our Affiliated Clubs
We are offering clubs a free litter picking kit to use for paddle clean-ups
This includes:
- 6 litter pickers
- 3 bag holders
- 20 sacks
- 30 pairs of gloves
If you have elements of the kit from last year, just let us know which bits you may have run out of or need replacing.
Please request your kit by using this link, ensure you send your request in by the 13th May if you would like to participate during the campaign dates, you can of course arrange your own litter pick at any time.
Once you have completed your litter pick please let us know how it went using this link:
https://clearaccessclearwaters.org.uk/tell-us-about-your-paddle-cleanup/
(Please note that we have a limited number of kits which we'll be sending out on a first come first served basis, so it's best to get your request in early!)
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