Take Responsability

[Tom_Laws]

I just found this kicking about near the bottom of my inbox... 2007, part of my campaign to get Tom Parker on every student's wall in the UK!

The outdoors is a great place forsport, but it also a natural environment. Respects the needs of others to enjoyor earn a living whilst you paddle. Be aware of other users, hazards, act safelyand follow reasonable advice. Paddlerswill meet a variety of land and water users on their journeys. Common sense andpolite communications can help and avoid misunderstanding.



On land:

· Observe the countrysidecode

· Stay away from housesand private gardens.

· Change Discreetly. Usepublic facilities and WC’s where possible

· Park vehicles, so not toobstruct roads or entrances to buildings of farm property.

· Unload your kit withcare and do not leave it in a manner that causes an obstruction.

· Use Public Rights of Waywherever possible, you may need consent if not using these.



On Water:

· Respect all other waterusers.

· Keep the numbers in yourparty consistent with safety, the nature of the stretch of river and the impacton your surroundings.

· Be aware ofeveryone’s ability.

· Use suitable equipmentin good order.

· Avoid collisions, andindicate your presence to other vessels.

· Offer assistance toanyone in genuine need, on or off the water, but do not put yourself or fellowpaddlers at risk.

o Show consideration for organizedevents and give way to their passage.



By following thesimple steps below you can ensure your presence is not detrimental to theenvironment:

· Find out about the area before you go, noting itssensitive places, species and breeding seasons.

· Leave no trace of your visit and take yourlitter home with you.

· Treat places with care, leaving them as you find them

· Keep noise to a minimum

· Take care when scouting and when launching/landingalong natural banks.

· Where possible keep to any designated paths orlaunching points.

· Avoid paddling over gravel banks in low waterconditions

· Give wildlife a wide berth to avoid recklesslydisturbing

o Report pollution or suspicious activity to therelevant authorities



Passage by canoescauses no erosion, noise or pollution, and leaves no trace of it passing



Help land managersand others to work safely and effectively. Do not hinder landmanagement operations and follow advice from land managers.

Take extra care if you are organising anevent or running a business. Ask the land owner’s and anyother source of relevant advice in advance.

[ash74]

Good stuff, I have one of those on my wall at home still.

It has largely been superseded in Wales by Welsh Government now owning a Code of Conduct specifically for water related recreation.

The "top code"-the waterside code is already finalised, details of the launch and copies of the final document available here.

Paul "Cheese" Robertson from Palm, Martin Chester from PYB, Phil Blain, the EA and I have been involved in drawing up a code for Canoeing under the guidance of Countryside Council for Wales.

This code is out for consultation until 1 June. To date there has been lots of feedback from other river users but not much from paddlers.

Canoe Wales sees the formation of this code as a very forward thinking step by Welsh Government (and was one of the outputs form the petitions committee process we started 5 years ago).

It would be excellent if people could feedback on the consultation. Draft copies of the code and the consultation response form is available here