Saving our Rivers

At the Kendal Mountain Film Festival last year, ocean advocate and founder of Seaful Charity Cal Major introduced me to Tom Laws, Campaign Manager of Save Our Rivers.

By Jo Moseley

In my Paddleboarding for Good column for SUPM, I share inspiring stories of environmental projects, mental wellbeing initiatives, and how we can make SUP more accessible. If you have a story, please email me at thejoyofsuppodcast@gmail.com  or message me on Instagram @jomoseley. 

I love how we, as a community, introduce each other to people who have a message to share. At the Kendal Mountain Film Festival last year, ocean advocate and founder of Seaful Charity Cal Major introduced me to Tom Laws, Campaign Manager of Save Our Rivers. 

A community passionate about and dedicated to the preservation and protection of rivers began by raising awareness through social media and educational campaigns, lobbying for stricter environmental regulations and collaborating with scientists and policymakers to implement sustainable practices. Working globally, Save our Rivers is now a European NGO fighting for free-flowing rivers and against physical modifications to rivers such as dams, hard-engineered flood defences and hydroelectric schemes. They provide information and knowledge to communities on using existing legal structures to fight for places they love. 

I asked Tom to share five ways we can make a difference: 

Get real
We must face a harsh reality – our waterways are constantly threatened by man-made development. If we play in these places, we must protect them. 

Get local
As paddleboarders, we have a unique connection to these waterways. Often, we are the first to notice changes and threats in these places. 

Get connected
We are far stronger together. Connect with fellow paddlers, organisations, and charitable groups. Save Our Rivers and Patagonia Action Works are good starting points for learning about campaigns in your local area. 

Get legal
It’s not glamorous, but it is effective. In the UK, we have extensive protections and designations designed to protect freshwater systems, but in many cases, they are disregarded. Take the time to find out what protections should be in place and who should enforce them. 

Act
If paddleboarders can’t save wild rivers, who can? We all have the power to make a difference every time we take to the water—by removing single-use pollution, reporting invasive species, or submitting a planning representation against a dam. 
Mo­re info: http://www.saveourrivers.org