We ’ re in the middle of a major health crisis ... The reality is , whoever is in government , we cannot keep chucking money at the NHS ...”
FREE NATURAL HEALTH SERVICE
“ We have to take a much more preventative approach to the health and wellbeing of the nation ,” she said .
“ Our outdoors is a free ‘ natural health service ’... Our rivers , canals , footpaths , bridleways and cycle ways are an incredible resource that should be seen as a prime means to keep us all healthy and happy .
One of the priorities for British Canoeing and its sector colleagues is to see an ambitious , accountable cross department plan for access and outdoor recreation .
We need a holistic approach , integrating the work of every department and all activities carried out or overseen by the government , would bring together a wide range of interventions throughout the life cycle into one strategy .
Professor John Coyne CBE , Chair of British Canoeing , said during his speech :
“ We are calling on the government to review its current stance , and to take a fresh approach , drawing on positive examples in Scotland and the rest of the world .
“ We need to encourage Defra to move towards a policy of ‘ fair , equal , shared space .’
During the event at Westminster , we showed one of our new ‘ Why Blue Space Matters ’ films . You can find these on the British Canoeing YouTube channel .
It features The One Show reporter Miranda Krestovnikoff , who loves to paddle on the River Avon , in Bath .
She said : “ The value of blue spaces to me is immeasurable . Imagine if we ’ re denied access to that valuable resource ?
“ Imagine how poorer how lives would be if we had no connection with these wild , beautiful wet spaces ?”
Suzie Wheway , an outdoor swimmer , also made a film .
Open water swimmers have the same issues , as paddlers , when it comes to access to our rivers . “ I swim for fitness and physical health but a really big factor in that is mental health ,” she said .
“ Not having free unencumbered , unquestioned access to water is a real problem .
“ I have to adjust my swims at the minute so that I know I ’ m not going to be confronted and have that horrible circumstance where I ’ m shouted at , given abuse , questioned , for doing something that I love and that enhances me so much .
“ I ’ ve come away from water thankfully a handful of times only in tears because I ’ ve been shouted out and told off and it is the most hideous experience .”
We will have to wait and see what happens next . It is up to the lawmakers . However , everyone from the Clear Access , Clear Waters team will keep pushing for what we all want to happen with our inland waters .
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“ Fairness for everyone wanting to enjoy outdoor recreation , on and off the water .”
Canoe Focus Early Summer 2023