Welsh Sailing joins campaign for clean waters

Welsh Sailing has joined the Clean Water Sports Alliance to call for the protection of blue spaces for people and wildlife.

RYA Cymru Wales, Canoe Wales, Welsh Triathlon and Welsh Rowing announced their backing for the campaign at a Sustainability in Sport conference hosted by the Welsh Sports Association (WSA) at The Riverfront Theatre and Arts Centre, Newport (12 November 2024).

Teaming up to create a new Welsh cohort of the Clean Water Sports Alliance, the four sports are calling on regulators and decision makers to prioritise:

• Further and faster action on pollution to improve the health of Welsh waters by 2030
• Information enabling people to make real-time informed choices about where and when to participate
• Recognition of all recreational water users across decision making and policy

The Alliance was first launched in April 2024 and now represents 15 governing bodies, with the four Welsh organisations joining British Rowing, British Triathlon, GB Outrigger, Paddle UK, Royal Yachting Association, Swim England, The Angling Trust, Surfing England, British Kitesport, British Sub-Aqua Club and British Dragon Boat Racing.

Bathing water reforms

The CWSA welcomes today’s announcement from DEFRA that a public consultation has been launched in a bid to modernise bathing waters rules, which relate to over 550 sites in England and Wales.

Currently only swimmers are included in the definition of ‘bathers’, and water quality testing only takes place in the summer months, but that could change to include other water sports enthusiasts like paddlers, sailors and surfers, and year-round testing.

Visit the DEFRA consultation on the reform of bathing water regulations.

Protecting our blue spaces

Highlighting the expansion of the Alliance at the WSA conference, in a presentation titled Protecting our Blue Spaces for Water Sports, were Alistair Dickson (CEO Canoe Wales), Catherine Roberts (CEO Welsh Triathlon), and James Stuart (CEO RYA Cymru Wales).

The sports also announced their intention for a Great Big Spring Clean in March 2025 to further galvanise the support of their members across Wales for the Alliance’s shared vision: to protect, preserve and promote clean and sustainable watersports across Wales and the UK.

James Stuart, CEO RYA (Royal Yachting Association) Cymru Wales said: “Our field of play is in peril and the health of people and nature is threatened because of it. We want to harness the power of sport to take action and encourage others to do likewise, whether that’s our own members at the grassroots or the decision-makers and regulators responsible for water quality.

"We aim to not only renew our own efforts but inspire others to join us to protect our blue spaces. The problem is bigger than any one of us and we need to team up, grow our voice and energise and activate our communities at scale. Let’s get started.”

Catherine Roberts, CEO Welsh Triathlon commented: “It is a great privilege to participate in a sport rooted in nature, offering immense physical and mental health benefits. Our members, especially our junior athletes, understand the importance of preserving this experience for future generations to enjoy and are committed to being part of the solution.”

Dan Fella, CEO Welsh Rowing, said: “In rowing, we are fortunate to have access to a variety of sea and freshwater environments across Wales. It is vitally important to protect these blue spaces for the well-being of our members, the future of the sport, and the unique biodiversity they support.

"We aim to inform, educate, and assist our members in safeguarding these essential areas and are thrilled to join the Clean Water Sports Alliance, where our collective voices can reach the decision-makers and regulators responsible for water quality.”

Alistair Dickson, CEO Canoe Wales, added: “Water sports offer unparalleled opportunities for adventure, fitness, and connection to nature. However, these activities can only thrive if we take proactive steps to ensure the health and cleanliness of our rivers, lakes, and coastlines.

At Canoe Wales, we are committed to engaging with our members, local communities, and stakeholders to drive forward sustainable practices and policies that will protect our waters for generations to come. This includes promoting clean-up efforts, advocating for stronger environmental regulations, and educating both paddlers and the general public about the importance of environmental stewardship.

"Together, as part of the Clean Water Sports Alliance, we can build a positive, lasting impact that will safeguard the health of our waters and ensure that our passion for water sports is enjoyed in harmony with the environment.”

The UK scores near the bottom of the European bathing water quality index, with pollution putting biodiversity under immense pressure and impacting recreational water users.

The Alliance has engaged with major water companies and their trade body Water UK to call for change and share collective data and expertise on issues including water testing.

Almost half of Great Britain's Olympic medals at Paris 2024 (47%) came from water-based sports, with 18% of these won by athletes who train outdoors using rivers, canals, lakes or open water.

Taking action

A recent finalist in the BBC Green Sport Awards, the Alliance has been successful in bringing water quality issues to the forefront. Earlier this year the Alliance welcomed the announcement of a new Water (Special Measures) Bill, and discussions with Ministers and Officials are ongoing.

Welcoming the expansion of the coalition, Phil Horton, RYA Environment & Sustainability Manager, said: “It’s great to see the Alliance representing so many different water-based sports and growing in influence with the addition of four National Governing Bodies for sport in Wales. We all recognise the urgent need to act now to tackle water pollution and protect our inland and coastal waters.”

Find out more at Clean Water Sports Alliance (CWSA) Cymru Wales / CWSA Cymru Wales (Welsh).