Wax up those surfboards. Paint those placards. Grab those rafts. Whether you get in the water to paddle out / paddle in or protest with us from the shore, we will be coming together for a national day of action and showing water companies and regulators that we will not stand for another summer of swimming in sh*t.
Our Paddle-Outs will involve local communities coming together to protest in the very space we want to protect – the water. Whether you’re planning to paddle out in the ocean, a river or protest with your toes in the sand, everyone is welcome to join in, in a way that suits them. Let’s stand together against sewage pollution.
The Paddle-Out Protests form part of our vital ongoing campaigning, putting pressure on The Government, Water Companies and the regulators to end to the sewage scandal!
This year, we have a unique opportunity to influence a huge change within the water industry.
In England and Wales, the independent commission will be finalising recommendations for the government in May and setting out what they should do next to reform the water industry. This gives us the perfect opportunity to show them once again, the groundswell of support behind the end sewage pollution campaign. We need these recommendations to be bold and ambitious in order to protect both the public and the planet, in a transformational reform.
In Scotland and Northern Ireland, we are battling a huge lack of data transparency which is leaving us to play sickness roulette every time we get in the water. We need water companies to feel the ongoing pressure from all water users, because we will not back down. We also need politicians to take notice, with elections on the horizon, we need water quality to be a top priority.
No matter where you are in the UK, there is a reason to Paddle-Out!
Surfers Against Sewage are hosting a National Day of Action on Saturday 17th May 2025. Protest locations are being confirmed and will be released soon.
Once we have confirmed locations of Paddle Out Protests, we will be adding an interactive map to showcase the upcoming Paddle Outs! Watch this space!
We know the water industry is broken. Water companies continue dump sewage in our much-loved waterways, people are getting sick, and the environment is suffering. We have had enough of swimming in sh*t and risking getting sick every time we dip.
Following the introduction of the Water (Special Measures) Bill – which is now law – The Government also launched an independent commission to look at the water industry and its regulation. This is HUGE! This is a very real opportunity, a once in a generation chance for us to influence transformational reform of the broken water industry. In May, the commission will be finalising its recommendations on what the Government should do next. And we need their recommendations to be bold and put people and the planet first. We will take to the beaches, riverbanks and streets to Paddle-Out and protest, to show the commission the groundswell of support behind the #endsewagepollution campaign. They have to deliver for us, our waterways and the planet. They will not be able to ignore us.
To the commission; We are watching you. And we will not stop until we see an end to sewage pollution.
Northern Ireland is the last place in the UK without real-time sewage alerts, leaving swimmers and surfers to gamble with their health.
In early 2024, Surfers Against Sewage met with Northern Ireland Water to demand real-time alerts through the Safer Seas & Rivers Service app. They promised progress. One year later? Nothing. The data exists. The technology exists. The SEWAGE exists – what’s missing is action.
It’s time for Northern Ireland Water and the government to stop stalling, start listening, and protect our waters. Join the Paddle-Outs. Demand transparency. End the sewage cover-up.
Scotland’s sewage crisis is hiding in plain sight. The data is missing, the regulations are weak, and the public is being kept in the dark.
Scottish Water (a publicly owned company) is dumping raw sewage into Scotland’s lochs, rivers, and beaches. Until recently, no one was watching. Even now, their own figures expose a massive gap in monitoring: They admit to 4,080 sewage overflows, but only 1,116 appear on their public spill map. That means 73% of overflows remain invisible in real time.
A Paddle-Out Protest sends a clear message: we refuse to let this crisis be ignored. It’s time for full sewage transparency and real protection for Scotland’s blue spaces.
YES! You don’t have to get in the water to join in with our national day of action.
Whether you protest from the shore OR paddle out, we want people from all corners of the nation to come together and show the polluters the tidal wave of support for an end to sewage pollution. We are more than surfers, more than sewage.
You can paddle out on a raft, row in a boat or swim with a float – how you chose to get in the water is up to you! Some locations may also have free or discounted equipment to hire to help you get on the water.
It’s great that you want to stand up against sewage pollution and get involved with running your own protest. We know there is still so much to be done to tackle the sewage scandal and people power will have a huge impact on creating change.
Please contact paddleout@sas.org.uk for more information.
If you are paddling out, you will need to bring something you are comfortable paddling out in (swimsuits / wetsuits / gloves /boots / hoods) bearing in mind the water temperatures and how long you are hoping to spend in the water. Additionally, if you have one and are able to bring it with you, surfboards, paddle boards, floats and rafts are encouraged.
Taking into consideration the weather and water / air temperature on the day of the protests, if you are entering the water you will need suitable clothing to put on after the paddle out has taken place.
You should also bring any food or drink needed for the day as facilities will vary depending on protest location.
Make sure you check your local protests Facebook event page for more info and details!
In the event of extremely heavy rainfall, there will be a higher risk of a sewage overflow event. Both rainfall and sewage overflows (using the Safer Seas and River Service App) will be monitored on the days leading up to the paddle out protest and on the day.
Protests will take place on the shore if it is not safe enough for the protest to take place in the water.
Make sure you check your local protests Facebook event page for any updates!
Individual protest organisers will have conducted a safety briefing for their protest location. Please follow advice given on the day.
If the swell / currents are considered too dangerous for the paddle out protest, the protests will still take place on the shore.
In the event of extremely heavy rainfall, there will be a higher risk of dangerously strong river flow and/or a sewage overflow events. Both rainfall and sewage overflows (using the Safer Seas and River Service App) will be monitored on the days leading up to the paddle out protest and on the day.
Make sure you check your local protests Facebook event page for any updates!
At SAS, it’s important to us that everyone can join in the fight for our ocean. We want our Paddle-Out Protests to be accessible to everyone and attract the largest and most diverse audience possible. We therefore want to operate where we can, at locations with easy access, parking and facilities. In addition, the protest should have a land based element alongside every Paddle-Out for those who don’t want to, or can’t, get in the water. This aspect of the protest has equal value to the Paddle-Out itself and every single person who comes along to stand up to #endsewagepollution matters.
