Welcome To Paddle UK

Press Release: Paddle UK

Over the last five years, the rapid growth in recreational paddling by a broader and more diverse audience has resulted in a change in the interests of our members.

The new name reflects the demographics of our evolving membership and is far more inclusive as it captures more fully the breadth of paddling activity that falls under our responsibility, including kayaking, canoeing, stand up paddleboarding and paddlesport.

85% of our members are recreational paddlers, who take part in paddling activities for fun, enjoyment and to be close to nature.

Our membership has grown from c40,000 to c90,000 members, with over 50,000 registering an interest in stand up paddleboarding.

This change in demographic was formally recognised last year by Sport England, who awarded us the status of a national governing body for stand up paddleboarding.

They sit alongside a core of paddlers who compete domestically, individually and for clubs, and proudly represent Great Britain across a range of competition disciplines.

The decision to become Paddle UK was agreed by our Board, following consultation over the last two years with the paddling community, partners and stakeholders.

As the national governing body we continue to have UK and English functions. To support this we have also launched the Paddle England brand, which will be utilised for appropriate activities.

Our colleagues at the Scottish Canoe Association, Canoe Wales and Canoe Association of Northern Ireland are in the process of changing their names and identities. More information will follow in due course.

For international competitions and disciplines, we will continue to compete as Great Britain. The new Paddle UK kit, which will include GBR and the union flag, will be launched in April.

Professor John Coyne CBE, Chair of Paddle UK said:

“Following a robust process to consider if our previous brand was fit for purpose, I am delighted to confirm that the organisation will become Paddle UK. As an NGB Plus, our development and growth in recreational paddling has continued to be on more places to paddle, better, cleaner spaces to paddle and the promotion of safer paddling. These key areas of work continue to develop alongside supporting our competition disciplines and performance programmes, who we are incredibly proud of. All of our members paddle, but not everyone does the sport. So Paddle UK aims to be representative and inclusive of all paddle activities and sports. I look forward to seeing Paddle UK develop as we commence this new chapter for the organisation and very much hope we will represent Every Paddler, Every Craft, For Every Type of Water.”

The new brand identity was revealed to members at the Annual General Meeting, ahead of today’s launch. The new brand assets include:

• New primary colours representing the dark blue of our heritage and a lighter modern blue shade to represent all paddlers.
• The paddle shape in the capital P, representing the paddle, which is used in all of our activities
• The paddle pattern, the handle of the paddle icon as a repeating pattern will become one of our key brand elements

Author Jo Moseley, who will be publishing a new book on paddleboarding in the Lake District this spring, said:

“I am impressed not just by the inspiring design of the new Paddle UK branding, but the values of inclusivity and community behind it. Paddlesports embrace a wide range of disciplines, commitment, expertise and goals and for SUP to be recognised within the Paddle UK family feels like a very positive step forward. With Paddle UK now one of the NGBs for stand up paddleboarding, it is exciting to see the vision they have for the future of SUP and their commitment to supporting the diversity and expertise we have within our sport.”

Such a change will inevitably have an impact on a wide range of members who engage with our qualifications, competitions, products and services and this will take time to fully embed.

Not everything will change immediately, and we want to reassure members that existing British Canoeing membership, qualifications, courses and competitions will remain valid.

From today any members renewing or joining will be sent Paddle UK collateral.

A new digital wallet will be launched shortly, to ensure all current members can download their new Paddle UK digital card to their phones.