Joining Forces to Clean NI's Waterways 💦
Rowing authorities in Northern Ireland unite with other national bodies in a coordinated effort for water purification
Get ready for some good news, folks! The Royal Yachting Association Northern Ireland (RYA NI) and six other water-based National Governing Bodies in Northern Ireland are teaming up to tackle the rising problem of polluted waterways in the region. This powerful alliance, called the Clean Water Sports Alliance NI, aspires to create healthy, vibrant blue spaces across Northern Ireland.
With sports and recreation heavily reliant on water-based activities in Northern Ireland, this alliance is a powerhouse, representing over 22,000 club members and a whopping 300,000 participants. And with six out of seven Olympic medals from Northern Ireland athletes expected to come from water-based events at Paris 2024, water sports are a crucial element of competitive sports in the country.
The alliance currently includes reps from Swim Ulster, Paddle NI, Rowing Ireland NI Branch, RYA NI, the Ulster Angling Federation, the National Coarse Fishing Federation Ireland (NCFFI), and Triathlon Ireland. Their united front demonstrates the bold action being taken by governing bodies across NI and has the support of the NI Sports Forum.
On April 2nd, representatives from each Governing Body will gather at Stormont to lobby for the crucial elements of their campaign – the three "asks." Here's what they're looking for:
- A long-term funding commitment to improve water quality and regulation
- Investment in real-time water quality monitoring equipment
- Advocating for a change from "bathing waters" to "recreation waters" within government policy, recognizing the various activities that rely on clean water
The 2024 River Trust's "State of our River's report" painfully revealed that 100% of river stretches and lakes in Northern Ireland failed to meet the desired "good" overall status, underscoring the urgent need for action. Protecting waterways is essential for safeguarding the health of sports enthusiasts and supporting the future of performance sports across the country.
Dan McGaughey, the current Irish ILCA 7 champion, shared his thoughts on the matter: "When I'm not out on the water, I'm losing valuable training time and experience. Being forced to take days off because of poor water quality impacts me significantly. It's essential that we have a reliable water quality monitoring system in Northern Ireland. If I'm there every day, unaware of the water's quality, how can someone who simply enjoys their hobby determine if the water is a potential risk?"
David Thompson from the Ulster Angling Federation voiced concerns about the growing frequency of pollution events: "Pollution events aren't rare occurrences anymore; they happen quite regularly. For angling, a healthy environment equals a thriving hobby, but over the past five years, things seem to be getting worse…"
Richard Timms from Swim Ulster echoed similar sentiments: "Our 'Get Wet Stay Safe' program provides educational safety messages and open water skills to swimmers, covering topics like weather, tides, winds, and performing a dynamic risk assessment, which includes assessing water quality. Unfortunately, in 2024, we had to cancel programs and events due to blue-green algae in Lough Neagh and poor water quality on the North Coast after heavy rainfall. Clean water is essential if we want to continue developing open water swimming and attract new participants."
Beyond benefiting those who use waterways directly, the Clean Water Sports Alliance NI's efforts will have a positive impact on the broader public in Northern Ireland. The 2019 Sport NI report demonstrated that the Outdoor Recreation Sector, which includes water-based activities, contributes at least £132M to the local economy and creates over 4,800 full-time jobs.
The Clean Water Sports Alliance NI is a significant stride forward in the ongoing mission to safeguard Northern Ireland's waterways, but sustained success necessitates broad government support and public backing. Join the movement by reaching out to your local MLA to voice your support for the Clean Water Sports Alliance NI's vision. 💙💧
In the context of the Clean Water Sports Alliance NI's efforts, it's crucial to recognize that the future of environmental-science studies and even sports like sailing (as demonstrated by Dan McGaughey) are reliant on clean waterways. The economic impact of water-based sports extends beyond participants, as the Outdoor Recreation Sector contributes over £132M to the local Northern Ireland economy and creates thousands of jobs.
