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Free angling coaching gets London fishing

People across London will have the chance to have a go at angling at free taster sessions run by waterways charity Thames21 throughout August.

As part of Thames21's Angling Development Project, the charity is organising a programme of events taking place across London in Camden, Hackney, Greenwich, Southwark and Westminster. (click here for full event listings and maps)

All sessions are free with equipment and bait provided. Each participant will receive 30 minutes of coaching by a Level 2 First for Sport angling coach and there is no need to book.

The coaching has a particular focus on young people and the sessions developed as a way to engage young people living in inner city London with their local waterways.

Thames21's Angling Development Coordinator Grant Fear said, "There are a lot of young people living in built up urban areas interested in learning to angle but they don't know where to start. These sessions are free and to take part you don't need any special equipment or clothing."

"Many young people are bored and frustrated young people, and angling helps to prevent anti-social behaviour around the waterways because we capture their interest in this environment and turn it into something much more positive."

Thames21's Angling Development Programme aims to instill a commitment to the aquatic environment in young anglers and uses angling to promote a better understanding of the problems affecting the environment and wildlife, and what we can do to help.

Grant added, 'The young anglers we work with today, are some of the waterway guardians of tomorrow, and we need to do everything we can to encourage that.'

Contact Thames21 Angling Development Coordinator Grant Fear for further information: 07974 937 151 / grant.fear@thames21.org.uk

Contact Leigh at Thames21 for media enquiries 020 7213 0166 / 07875 250 284