It is my privilege on behalf of all at Paddle UK to express our sincere thanks to all our members, clubs, athletes, coaches, paddlers, sponsors and stakeholders for your support in what has been a pivotal 2024. Whatever your tradition for celebration at this time of year I wish you all the very best and a Happy New Year.
This year was always going to be a pivotal year. It is delightful to report it was also a sensationally successful year. Three or four major touchstone events were scheduled to come together – each individually of massive importance to our community and collectively game changing.
Naturally the Olympic and Paralympic Games had been a focus since Tokyo. They were on a shorter, three-year cycle, given the delays brought about by Covid that pushed Tokyo into 2021. This could have been a challenge but our competitive community – athletes, coaches, volunteers and supporters stepped up to the plate to deliver unprecedented success. The statistics are impressive but only tell part of the story. Across the Olympics and Paralympics, we had 13 athletes, 16 medal events, 15 finals and 12 medals: four gold, six silver and two bronze. The best outturn of any sport, I would contend. But the way in which every athlete conducted themselves and the way they valued the journey was the most inspiring.
Early in the year we launched our Paddle UK identity as we ‘rebranded’ to a descriptor that reflected the breadth of the community that we serve. We have been joined by the home nations in our UK paddle family. So, Paddle Scotland, Paddle Northern Ireland and Paddle Cymru reflect the national identities and we have introduced Paddle England as an umbrella to encompass our English delivery. We anticipate our International Federation embracing the inclusive nomenclature too.
More recently we have made some significant constitutional changes that will give members a direct route to serve on the board. We have strengthened the democratic mandate, put in place measures to ensure the board has the appropriate skills mix and introduced the ambassadorial figurehead role of Patron. There will be much to do implementing the changes.
And finally, there has been the breakthrough in raising our profile in the debate surrounding Clear Access, Clear Waters. In early December we were part of the campaign group The Clean Water Sports Alliance that won the Sport for Change Award 2024 at the Sport Journalists Association Awards. We have played a key role in the alliance. During the year 4000 volunteers took part in river clean ups – removing a record level of rubbish.
We have continued to be guided by our plan Stronger Together 2 but have developed the ability to react and adjust rapidly, simplify where necessary and prioritise. This will characterise everything we do as we build the next phase of success for our members. We are a community that cares for the places we paddle.
Our membership has remained loyal to us – despite 2024 being even worse than 2023 for paddling weather. We over 70,000 members that we support, listen to and engage with. The demography of our membership has continued to evolve whilst retaining a central core of loyal, committed and long serving members on whose shoulders we continue to build.
Whilst public attention is always focused during an Olympic Year, we are conscious that those events are a minority of the disciplines for whom we select GB teams. This year has been our most successful ever. We have won over 150 medals at World and European level across all disciplines. There were milestones everywhere – gold medals in Wildwater, the first male medals in Wildwater for two decades, world titles retained in Freestyle, medals in Rafting, SUP, Ocean Racing and Canoe Sailing. It was a year in which our athletes punched above their weight and demonstrated what a diverse and successful sport we are.
Competitive success and a series of firsts has been accompanied by growth and development in our recreational and leisure paddling activities and in the support we give to that community through digital innovation. This will be further developed next year. We cannot stand still. It is worth reminding ourselves of the multiple tasks we must balance – a community of paddlers, a membership organisation, a competitive National Governing Body and a campaigning organisation that speaks out on what matters to us. It is pleasing to have a staff team that deliver on these so well.
It has been another exceptional year. A brief Christmas message can only scratch the surface. So much going on – so many people contributing – staff, members, volunteers, stakeholders, commercial partners and supporters. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of them on your behalf for the exceptional service they have given to our community – led by our CEO Ashley Metcalfe.
So – it has been an exceptional year but our desire to work for you and with you all to do more is undiminished.
I would like to thank you all for your support, your loyalty and your great activism in 2024.
This is my final Christmas message as your Chair. I have completed the maximum term of eight years and will pass on the baton to our new Chair, Nick Donald in March. I know that he will have great support as we continue to serve and to deliver our ambitious plans.
I want to say a sincere thank you to all of you for making my time as Chair so enjoyable. It has been my singular honour to serve with all our other brilliant volunteers to ensure the continued success of Paddle UK.
Sincere best wishes,
Professor John Coyne CBE: Chair, Paddle UK