Let’s celebrate

Let’s Yoga!

As we mark our 10th anniversary in 2022, we’re planning to put on our biggest ever programme of activities to give people the chance to discover the joys of life by water for the first time. Tony Entwistle, our national events co-ordinator, explains more about the exciting ‘Let’s’ programme.

“The key thing about our Let’s activities is that they are completely free,” says Tony as he outlines his plans for the year ahead. “So events like Let’s Fish! or Let’s Paddle! are open to absolutely everyone along the canals. The idea of our Let’s events is to open up canals to anyone who would benefit from the physical or mental wellbeing you find by water. Especially for people in urban areas who might not have outside space to enjoy, our events are really easy to access for anyone who might not have tried to fish, paddleboard or canoe before, or who might think these things cost a lot of money. It doesn’t matter how old you are or where you come from, our waterways have something for everybody to enjoy.” As Tony outlines the wonderful ideas coming in from our local organisers in the regions, it

Let’s Birdwatch!

Let’s Walk!

Let’s Lego!

Let’s Fish!

Let’s Paddle!

“The key thing about our Let’s activities is that they are completely free.”

Tony Entwistle, national events co-ordinator

certainly sounds like there’s a busy spring and summer ahead. Whether it’s learning a new skill, meeting new people, getting active or mindful you won’t be short of inspiration. “There’s taster activities for those looking to take up walking or fishing; and canoeing and paddleboarding activities for people who want to get onto the water. In addition, there will be a host of boating festivals for people who love our traditional narrowboats as well as special events at our waterway museums too. Our free and hugely popular Let’s Fish! sessions are continuing to grow. And if you’d like to help raise money for our charity, there’s also a host of Let’s Fundraise! running, walking, paddling or challenge events to sign up for. If you like the peace of canals you could try Let’s Yoga! or Let’s Meditate! For nature lovers we’re planning to hold birdwatching, bat walks, pond dipping, bug hunting or tree spotting sessions too.

A new one for this year is Let’s Click! where you can learn photography skills by the canal. Let’s Lego! events for the kids are always a big draw too.”

Best of all, as Tony explains, it’s all right on your doorstep: “From London to Wales to the Midlands and the North, our teams are putting on free Let’s activities near you. And they are all on our website. All you need to do is sign up and turn up for a great time out by water.”