This week’s discussion point from me is about the Canoe Wales membership scheme. So, who is it for and what does it give you? Whether you paddle a canoe, kayak or a stand-up paddleboard, a membership is open to you. Canoe Wales is a membership organisation that belongs to its members and the income generated is reinvested back into projects and support for the paddlesport community.

For the paddler, a full ‘On the Water’ membership gives you a whole host of benefits including regular news, info and exclusive updates from the paddling world, fantastic discounts from a wide range of selected high street and online retailers & services, your waterways licence for England & Wales, 3rd party liability insurance, legal expenses & trespass protection cover, access to special offers, competitions, events, training, awards & qualifications, a competition licence, voting rights, access to support & advice and plenty more! A membership also supports the protection, maintenance, improvements and clean-ups of our waterways and our rights to access them along with maintaining clear policies, guidance and procedures to support both our safety and well-being and that of our volunteers, clubs, centres, disciplines, coaches and providers. And all this for less than £1 a week with extra special prices for under-18s, young people, couples and families!

Are you thinking about joining? If you’re not sure, what’s stopping you and why? If you’re already a member, what prompted you to join and how has it benefited you? Share your thoughts and opinions! We want to know!

For further information about a Canoe Wales membership and to join: https://www.canoewales.com/membership

If you don’t live in Wales but would like further information:For English memberships: https://britishcanoeing.justgo.com/

For Scottish memberships: https://www.canoescotland.org/membership/membership

For Northern Irish memberships: http://cani.org.uk