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The charity making life better by water

Paddle boarding club wins environmental award for river adoption work

Hundreds of pieces of plastic waste and rubbish have been prevented from reaching the Irish Sea over the last year, thanks to our ground-breaking river adoption agreement with Mid Cheshire Stand Up Paddleboard Club.

Weaver adoption group presentation

The River Weaver Navigation, which runs through North Cheshire, is now much cleaner as a result of the Trust's first UK river adoption by a stand up paddle board club last March. And the club has made such an impact locally, it has been awarded Winsford Town Council's Trueprint Environment Award.

We care for 2,000 miles of Britain's waterways but sometimes struggles to collect rubbish from inaccessible places like reed beds. Paddle boarders are in an ideal position to reach shallow sections close to the river bank which act as traps for plastic bottles, cans and other rubbish.

Volunteer adoption schemes

Mid Cheshire SUP (Stand Up Paddle) boarders, who are based in Winsford Marina, formally adopted nearly two miles of the river from Winsford Marina to Newbridge last March and the initiative has been so successful they have just renewed the agreement for another year. The club, which has more than 45 members, regularly paddles along the river and over the last 12 months has retrieved tons of rubbish from the waterway.

Club chairman Brian Cadwallader said: “We were always conscious of the issues of plastic in our rivers and how we could contribute to improving the environment and the enjoyment of others using the river. I was aware of the great work the Canal & River Trust were doing in the Northwest and contacted their volunteer coordinator Jason Watts to discuss how MCSUP could be a part of their growing river adoption schemes.

“The process was so easy, as a club we had all the necessary paperwork required and with guidance from Jason, we were proud to become the first paddleboard club in the UK to adopt a river.

First paddleboard club to adopt a river

“Using paddleboards on the water allows us to get into areas at the river edge where land based litter picking activities cannot reach. The partnership has been very rewarding for our club and its members. Working with the Trust has given us national recognition within the SUP communities and has prompted other clubs to follow our example. The award is a reflection of the voluntary work our members give to the Canal & River Trust, the love of our waters and the pleasure it brings.”

Jason Watts, Canal & River Trust North West volunteer coordinator, said: “This is a win-win arrangement for everyone. We were delighted when Mid Cheshire paddle boarders lead the UK as the first club in this fast-growing sport to take responsibility for their home river.

“They richly deserve the award and we are very pleased other paddle board clubs around the country have now followed their lead. Disposing of plastic waste is high on the political agenda at the moment. Of course, it would be better if people didn't drop litter at all but if we can all stop it reaching the oceans that is a great result for everyone.”

We currently work with more than 170 adoption groups nationwide involving a wide range of organisations, from schools and businesses to running clubs and Scout groups. The Trust has set a target of getting a quarter of its canal network (500 miles) adopted by community groups by 2025.

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Last Edited: 08 May 2019

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