No, we have had confirmation from Welsh Government that there should be no recreation on any body of water, even if you can start and finish your exercise from home.
No, unfortunately the guidance from Welsh Government does not make any allowances for the experience level of the participant.
No, unfortunately Welsh Government has been clear that there should be no water-based recreation, even in sheltered water like a canal.
We know that many of you have expressed frustration that you can go cycling, which some statistics show has a higher rate of injury than paddlesport, but you can't go paddling. We agree that this feels inconsistent, and throughout the last lockdown we regularly advocated that paddlesport is a low-risk activity.
However, we have been advised that the emergency services have concerns about the additional resources required to respond to a water-based incident as compared to a road-based incident, and that cycling is a form of road transportation. It should also be noted that cyclists are being advised not to travel further than they could reasonably walk home from if they had a puncture, and that all watersports are affected by the regulations, including open water swimming, surfing, sailing/boating, and rowing.
We have been advised that the police are likely to stop paddlers and interpret the government guidance as a clear instruction to the public not to take part in any type of watersports. Whether or not it is ‘illegal’ to paddle is not something we are able to advise on and it would be up to members to get their own legal advice if they wanted to paddle against the government's advice.
In almost all circumstances the answer is no, you cannot go paddling or lead sessions for others in Wales. Maintaining your skills would not be considered a reasonable excuse, and were you to lead others, they would be breaching the regulations by leaving home. We have queried if professionals could lead paid sessions for other professionals, and we have been advised that these types of courses and activities should be postponed until after the lockdown period.
However, you can travel to England for paid work, though we would advise anyone travelling with any paddling equipment (such as a boat on your roof) that you should expect to be stopped by the police and be prepared to explain your reason for travelling.
If you live in Wales, the regulations do not allow you to travel to England except for work which cannot be done from home. If you are working, you can travel to England specifically for the purpose of work - i.e. to lead clients, run a course, etc.
We would advise anyone travelling with any paddling equipment (such as a boat on your roof) that you should expect to be stopped by the police and be prepared to explain your reason for travelling.
Welsh Government is currently advising that this will be a fixed period of lockdown ending on 9 November. We do not yet have any information about what that will mean for paddling after the lockdown period ends. As soon as we have more information we will publish new guidance.
Canoe Wales | All rights reserved.
Website Design by Website Sorted
CANOE WALES, CANOLFAN TRYWERYN, FRONGOCH, BALA, GWYNEDD, LL23 7NU | Company No. 02478971 | VAT No. 115151262