Canoeing Ireland is excited to launch the 2025 River Clean Up Week, running from April 21st to 27th. This annual initiative unites paddlers, clubs, and outdoor enthusiasts across the country in a shared mission to protect and preserve the waterways we get to enjoy every day.

Our rivers, lakes, and coastlines are more than just places of adventure – they are living ecosystems that support biodiversity and provide such a wide range of wellbeing benefits from connecting with them. As stewards of these natural spaces, we’re calling on everyone involved in paddle sports to join us and take action during this years National Spring Clean.

Absolutely everyone can get involved and organise a clean-up of your local waterway. Here’s how you and your club can get involved:

  • Register Your Event
    Sign up with the National Spring Clean through An Taisce to receive a clean-up kit and ensure you have the right gear to collect litter safely. Register here: https://nationalspringclean.org/register-for-the-national-spring-clean/

  • Stay Safe
    If your clean-up includes on-water activity, make sure all participants wear appropriate safety equipment: buoyancy aid, helmet, and proper footwear.

  • Dispose Responsibly
    Coordinate with your local county council for appropriate waste collection and disposal after your event.

  • Share Your Efforts
    Capture your clean-up in action and tag Canoeing Ireland on social media to help inspire others and celebrate the collective impact of the paddle sports community.

  • Make It a Habit
    Let’s not stop at one week. River clean-ups can become a year-round part of your club culture – a small habit with a big environmental payoff.

Also taking place on during our River Clean Up week is the Teen Connect Nature Connection Session – an environmental awareness paddling day for teenage girls designed to deepen young paddlers’ connection to nature and reinforce their role as guardians of our rivers.

A sustainable future for paddle sports starts with the actions we take today. Consider drafting a sustainability charter for your club, creating biodiversity zones on your grounds, or improving riverbank access to minimise erosion and habitat disruption. For more ideas, visit Leave No Trace Ireland.