Irish Whitewater Forum

Not sure if many here keep up to date with the access situation in England and Wales. Hopefully we'll never have to go through this here. Some debate on UKRGB regarding the recent report:

http://www.ukriversguidebook.co.uk/foru ... =3&t=64947

Some fairly dismal recommendations:

Recommendation 9. That organisations who make a profit out of
water related recreation should pay a fee to be licensed and that their
craft should be registered and clearly marked. (Page 30)

Recommendation 10. That a licensing system for those using
unpowered craft on inland water should be introduced. (Page 31)

Recommendation 11. That the Minister for Environment,
Sustainability and Housing commence the drafting and consultation
process on a national code of conduct for using the water to be used
in those areas where access is granted. (Page 31)

Recommendation 12. That any code of conduct should make
explicit the rights and responsibilities of users and access owners and
should be promoted and advertised by all organisations involved in
giving or using access to inland water as well as national organisations
such as the Welsh Government, CCW, Environment Agency Wales, Visit
Wales and the Sports Council for Wales. (Page 31)

Ross

I don't think its all that bad.

The 'hitch-hikers guide' got some things very right. We're part of a system that loves/needs governing bodies, rules and bureaucracy. There weren't any rules and bureaucracy when it came to getting in your boat and going paddling, its expected that will come, now it looks like the Welsh have. As the political class see it, this put paddlers on a fair pegging with the fishermen in this respect.

What Welsh paddlers need to do is get involved with the organisation of such a licence, make sure its £5, lasts for 10 years and covers 3 boats. This is effectively taking on bureaucracy but doing it right.

As for the code of conduct, I think this is an excellent thing. Some paddlers are ignorant fuckers, fact. I've seen people do some amazingly stupid shit over the last few years. Rubbish left near Clifden hole, blocking entrances with parked cars, going through people private land without even trying to gain permission, being rude to land owners/farmers etc. etc. All of this was done by paddlers, and none of them were green either.

What would a code of conduct achieve? not much, but at least land owners etc. would see that the majority of paddlers strive to be a positive part of society, and that the trouble makers are the ignorant minority. Making it more difficult for a wronged land owner to tar us all with the same brush, and bar access for us all.