Set up in 1936 to send a team to the Berlin Olympics, the British Canoe Union is the governing body for the sport and recreation of canoeing in the United Kingdom. Since 1936 the organisation has grown considerably, and the range of canoeing opportunities has increased tremendously.
Today the British Canoe Union has
- 60,000 individual and club based members.
- A growing membership + 6-9% pa over the last five years
- 9,600 coaches, 625 clubs, 770 AALA centres
- 13,000 volunteers running clubs
- Delivered 3 Olympic Medals in Athens in slalom and racing
- World and European Champions in sailing, surf, canoe polo marathon and freestyle in the last three years
An estimated 2 million people take to the water in a canoe each year (Paddlesport Review). Indications are that this number is increasing at a spectacular rate. The BCU represents the interests of canoeists at local, national, and international level, and is a member of the International Canoe Federation.
The BCU is a recreational and environmental body and teaches paddlers to care about the environment. Clubs and individual members regularly take trips by canoe to keep “their” area of river clean. Our members also assist with the preservation of wildlife.
Canoeing also contributes to the wider agenda with many programmes reflecting our social responsibilities such as working with young offenders and the socially disadvantaged.
BCU Federalisation
In 2000 the BCU federalised to become the umbrella organisation for the Home Nation Associations in Scotland (SCA), Wales (WCA) and Northern Ireland (CANI). In England, Canoe England was set up, on a par with the other National Associations, as a division of the BCU, to support the development of canoeing in England. Further information and all contact details of the national associations, regional and specialist committee secretaries can be found at www.bcu.org.uk
An example of the work being undertaken by the BCU is
BCU Young People's Programme
The BCU Young People’s Programme aims to develop strategies to provide a comprehensive Paddlesport programme which meets the needs of young people in the 21st century. The key aims of the programme are:
- Translating youngster activity into regular paddling
- Supporting clubs and centres to develop safe, effective, child friendly programmes and encourage better links with each other
- Helping clubs, centres and other organisations to develop quality programmes that offer a range of paddlesport experience
- Recruiting and training more volunteers to provide quality experiences and coaching to young people · Providing more opportunities for young talent to improve and progress
- Provision of appropriate equipment for youth locally and regionally
A number of initiatives have been developed to support the above – such as the Paddlepower Scheme, Cadet Leader Award, Top Club, Diamond Slalom Award, the Curriculum at Key Stage 2 & 3. A number of part time Paddlesport Development Officers (PDO) work at a local level and help providers develop more opportunities for youth.
The BCU Policy Statement
Through its open access policy the BCU are totally committed to welcoming all young people into the sport. It commits to ensuring that they have the best introduction possible and that they can develop within whichever aspect of canoeing is their choice, to the level of their desire and ability.
Benefits of being a BCU member
Think of joining the BCU as joining a huge family of over 60,000 canoeists. Whether a competitor, a coach or someone who simply enjoys paddling up and down the canal, the BCU can offer something for all paddlers.
Your membership includes a licence to paddle 4,500km of Britain’s navigations and canals – including the River Thames.
All individual members, affiliated clubs and members of affiliated clubs can paddle safe in the knowledge that they are automatically covered by third party liability insurance up to £5million. Whilst we all have a responsibility to paddle safely, should you cause loss or injury to anyone whilst paddling the insurance will cover a compensation claim.
For coaches, this insurance is essential. All coaching activity is covered (both paid and unpaid) providing it takes place under the aegis of the BCU itself or an affiliated club. Coaches have to be a member of the BCU for their qualifications to remain valid.
As a member of the BCU you have access to a large number of resources – from coaching to courses to events. The BCU produces a yearly handbook and six editions of Canoe Focus magazine to keep you up-to-date. Check out the new website www.bcu.org.uk for details.
By being a BCU member you can enter competitions all over the country: there’s freestyle, slalom, canoe polo, wild water racing, sprint, marathon and canoe sailing to choose from.
On top of this you can use your BCU card to gain discounts such as reduced tickets to paddle on the Canolfan Trywern National Whitewater Centre and the River Washburn, 10% off Cotswolds and discounts on Salamander Tours and Concept 2 rowing machines.
Paddlesports offer something for everyone, from calm steady paced touring on canal and placid waters to competitive sprint racing and facing the challenge of racing down raging torrents. From exploring fantastic coastal scenery by sea kayak to performing the ultimate playboat moves while ‘playing’ and ‘shredding’ the river. Paddleports offers something for everyone young or old.
Getting Started
From a beginning almost as old as mankind, when the kayak or canoe was part of the process of survival, to the present day, when boundaries of exploration are being rolled back, canoeing is a sport rich in potential for young and old - the adventurous and the less adventurous.
Canoeing offers a wide range of activities with something for everyone, some based on competition and others, less formalised, based on journeying and adventuring.
HOW CAN I GET STARTED ? Join a Club 
Join with a local group or club - it’s more fun, safer, and will help you to master the basic skills more quickly.
The BCU publishes regional lists of affiliated clubs who welcome new faces, many running special sessions for newcomers.
Activity holidays often include canoeing and this can be a pleasant introduction, or perhaps you’d prefer to attend one of the many BCU regional events, and chat to some of the paddlers themselves.
Courses
One of the best ways to get to know what canoeing has to offer is on an activity holiday or specialist course.
Under expert guidance you will learn the basic techniques, and the simple safety rules, which will equip you to enjoy a lifetime of water wanderings, or aquatic adventure.
Where to canoe in Britain
The British Isles are made for canoeing - there is a wonderful variety of water to choose from. Inland, the canals, rivers and lakes offer simple touring on placid water, through to challenging white water descents.
Not all inland water is open to canoeists, some is privately owned or is bounded by land which is private. The law is actually very cinfusing and unclear as to acces/navigation rights. The British Canoe Union has an Access Officer in each region who can advise you about local canoeing waters.
The coastline of Britain provides superb canoeing water, some of which is remote with spectacular scenery. Coastal canoeing in all but enclosed, sheltered sites demands knowledge and skill.
Experienced canoeists are always keen to help beginners develop themselves, but you are strongly advised not to embark upon any coastal cruise or whitewater river trip without adequate personal ability, training and knowledge.
CANALS
- There are several thousand miles of canals
- These ‘water highways’ offer safe touring
- A licence is needed - included with BCU membership for all 2,000 miles of British Waterways canals
SEA
- Surf beaches, off shore islands, sea cliffs
- Seek expert guidance before going afloat
- Courses available around the country
RIVERS AND LAKES
- Upland rivers offer white water
- Lowland rivers, lake s and lochs offer interesting touring
- Many lowland rivers require a licence – BCU membership includes a licence for British Waterways rivers and canals and Environment Agency waters.
- Some of the best whitewater rivers have a voluntary access agreement where the landowner has agreed to let canoeists paddle, however many do not. Check first with the local BCU Access Officer, local paddlers and/or up-to-date guidebooks.
- BCU Access Officers can give help on where to get on and off the water.
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