These activities tend to attract young participants who are characterised by a strong sense of independence. However, it is not restricted to young people and is popular throughout the 30-50 age group.

The use of a well known personality connected with the activity may be an effective way to promote environmental initiatives to participants.

As informal activities, participants are less likely to be associated with local clubs and/or the national representative. However, there is a sector within this activity that is represented by groups from affiliated clubs, this is usually associated with competition fishing.

Environmental awareness raising programmes run in conjunction with local equipment suppliers are likely to be the most effective method of targeting participants as these organisations have direct contact with the end users and are often considered a credible source of information.

Although an informal activity a number of participants do undertake some form of training and the British Canoe Union’s coaching qualifications include qualifications specific to sea kayaking and canoeing.

Trainers can be a good source for information transfer to the end user. The British Canoe Union Yearbook also contains a section on environmental matters and includes environmental awareness issues in its coaching qualification tests.

Slipways or mooring are not required to enable water access but car parking is required.

Known access points to the water can be good locations for promoting environmental information to this group

Main targeted publications for this activity are Canoe Focus and Canoe-Camper with circulations of 18,000 and 1,000 respectively

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