Canoeing down the River Avon and beyond...

I used to be an avid Canoe enthusiast in Sussex (actually

this was in my school years) but my move to Ringwood where there is an

abundance of waterways and gorgeous countryside has awakened this long held passion.

It did not go unnoticed that although the rivers were wide

and inviting I never saw a canoe or kayak on the water even on a beautiful day.

I thought it might just be a coincidence but I started to ‘google’ and found

some interesting information.

There are restrictions to accessing our English waterways

due to old laws stating that if a landowner has a river running through the

land, they do not own the water but own the land the water runs over, making

thousands of kms of waterways restricted access.

If you enter a river

you could be prosecuted for ‘trespassing’ as only 2% of waterways in this

country have public access. It is felt by many around the country that this

should be changed as it is outdated.

The River Access Campaign hoped to change current

legislation by lobbying MP’s, raising public awareness and circulated a

petition.

A recent thesis has been published that is hoped will give

the campaign more substance. The report has found that “all rivers that we

physically usable were legally useable” and that during the time of 1189 – 1600

rivers were accessed and used.

Canoeing in my opinion is much like walking or cycling or

riding a horse through our beautiful countryside, it keeps us fit, it

energises us and it’s an environmentally friendly past time. There is nothing

more enjoyable than meandering down and river on a beautifully sunny summer’s

day and something the whole family can do.

I will keep my eye on how this campaign transpires but in

the mean time I am looking to join The Ringwood Canoe Club who meet regularly at Mudeford Quay and organise lots of exciting events and trips to places where you can canoe. 

If you have any more information on where we can canoe in the Ringwood area, then please let me know.