Canoe Foundation awards £7,500 to our first Northern Ireland project

Welcome to the final installment in our mini-series of regional funding articles! Today we’ll be looking at Canoe Foundation funding in Northern Ireland. This is an area that historically hasn’t received any funding from the Canoe Foundation, so we’re really excited to mark this milestone.

Meteor Waterski Club, located in County Down, Northern Ireland, has secured a grant of £7500 for an exciting project. Their goal is to redesign and reconstruct a new walkway and jetty head at Lough Henney; about 20 minutes drive south of Belfast.

The existing jetty, constructed in 2010, has suffered significant rot and damage, rendering it unsafe for use by lake user groups. In response, the club plans to construct a new 30-metre walkway with a galvanised frame and a non-slip surface. Additionally, concrete walkway anchor points and new foundation pillars will be essential features of the redesigned jetty.

This project aims to accommodate various water user groups including water-skiing, canoeing, paddleboarding and kayaking. The potential beneficiaries extend beyond the club members themselves, meaning everyone will benefit. Stakeholders include the Belfast Canoe Club, local community groups, scout troops, youth groups, swimmers, kayakers, paddleboarders and organised groups.

By improving access to the water and enhancing facilities, the project seeks to expand membership, introduce more individuals to water-based activities, and provide a safer and more inclusive environment for all users.

The Canoe Foundation is really proud of our new Canoe Foundation funding in Northern Ireland. We know that Meteor Waterski Club’s new project will leave a lasting legacy for generations of paddlers in Northern Ireland. We can’t wait to see the positive impact our funding will make in the coming months and years!

As a charity, we rely on donations to continue supporting grassroots groups that enhance physical access to paddle sports across the UK. Please consider contributing a one-off or regular donation to the Canoe Foundation. Your support helps ensure sustainable and accessible waterways and coastlines for everyone in the UK. Thank you for being part of our mission to improve places to paddle!