Ben Seal, Head of Access and Environment at Paddle UK, explains why things are moving in the right direction for the water sports sector.
The year has started strongly and hopefully set the tone for a productive 2025.
Paddle UK has hit the ground running with meetings taking place with three ministers and Water UK inside the first two weeks.
On the 7 January, I, along with colleagues from swimming, rowing, sailing and triathlon met with Stephanie Peacock MP (Minister for Sport) and Emma Hardy MP (Minister for Water and Flooding).
The meeting was an opportunity to discuss the recent consultation on future changes to the bathing waters legislation, and how we can provide help for people to enjoy our nation’s waters.
Both ministers were impressed, not only with the size and reach of the water sports sector, but also the impact that we are having in campaigning for cleaner waters as the Clean Water Sports Alliance.
A week later, I was at Defra headquarters again, this time meeting with Baroness Hayman, Minister for Access and Biosecurity.
I had the opportunity to discuss the challenges that paddlers, swimmers and other water users face around access to water, as well as set out the fantastic work being done alongside other water sports, cleaning our rivers of plastic and invasive species.
‘Future reform’
Since coming to power, the Labour Government has made water one of its top priorities.
Within weeks of winning the election, the Government had announced a new Special Measures Bill, to quickly tackle some of the governance issues linked to the water sector.
Following that, an independent Water Commission was announced, chaired by former Deputy of the Bank of England, Sir Jon Cunniliffe, to look at wider, more radical water sector reform.
No fewer than three other consultations have taken place in the last few weeks, into regulations, guidance and proposals for reform.
The Water Commission is due to report around June or July, the recommendations from which are likely to inform a new legislation in the form of a Water Bill in 2026.
This is a huge opportunity for Paddle UK and all members of the Clean Water Sports Alliance, to ensure that the needs of recreational users are heard and part of future reform.
‘Greater access’
But our attention is not only on Government and future reform.
On the 16th January, the Clean Water Sports Alliance CEOs met with Water UK CEO, David Henderson at Lee Valley White Water Centre.
Water UK are the representative umbrella body for the water sector, so this was a valuable opportunity for both parties to share concerns with water quality and access to publicly owned water.
It is hoped that this will lead to a much closer future working relationship, and ensure that recreational users needs are heard and prioritised by the sector.
The year ahead for Paddle UK and our partners looks bright.
More than ever before our organisation is at the forefront of policy making, helping secure cleaner waters and greater access to them.
We will be sharing more exciting developments on access and water quality in the coming months as further announcements are made.