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Cold Water Beach Clean Series

Surfers Against Sewage believe protecting our beaches from marine litter needs year-round volunteer action.

This September sees the launch of the Cold Water Beach Clean Series, a new SAS initiative calling for community volunteers to join the SAS beach clean team on beaches nationwide come rain, snow, sleet or shine. Just as some of the UK’s best waves unfurl on our beaches during the coldest months, marine litter accumulates in huge quantities on our coastline, threatening the safety and enjoyment of beaches by surfers, walkers and sports enthusiasts during the winter months.

The Cold Water Beach Clean Series will take place from September to November, with the support from The Crown Estate and leading UK cold-water surf brand Finisterre. The Series will be calling at 20 locations including Thurso in the far north of Scotland, Benone Magilligan in Northern Ireland and Saltburn perched on North Sea.

Over the past 20 years the amount of litter washing up on our beaches or left by the public in these unique and beautiful spaces has almost doubled, with levels of waste peaking in the autumn and winter months. Marine litter is the most visible pollution on our beaches and not only threatens these fragile environments and wildlife, but can also severely affect quality of life, recreational opportunities and aesthetic value for coastal communities and beach users.

Modern wetsuit technology today also means that surfers, swimmers and other recreational water sports enthusiasts can enjoy UK oceans, waves and beaches throughout the year, often experiencing some of the best conditions during these colder months. Technical apparel also means beaches, coastal paths and far-flung coves can all be used for walking, cycling and other activities whatever the weather. SAS is encouraging cold water surfers & beach lovers to take action with them to tackle this modern-day scourge of the sea by participating in the Cold Water Beach Clean Series.

The majority of beach users rank cleanliness as a priority in choosing their destination. A recent study* showed that 97% of people avoided beaches with 10, or more, large litter items per metre. Beach litter including glass and metal can also cause injuries to those using the beach, not least surfers and other water-users with minimal protection for their feet.

The initiative is being supported through an investment from The Crown Estate’s Marine Stewardship Fund, which provides funding for community projects that enhance the marine and coastal assets it manages. This is the second year that The Crown Estate has supported SAS having facilitated last year’s successful Autumn Beach Clean Series, which included a similar number of events throughout the UK.

SAS is working at community, corporate and government level to tackle the growing tide of marine litter that washes up on UK beaches every year. The Cold Water Beach Clean Series is part of SAS’s rapidly growing beach clean programme directly removing marine litter from the environment and raising public awareness on the issue. SAS mobilises around 5,000 volunteers annually.

Events:

  • Saturday 7th September – Llantwit Major, Wales
  • Sunday 8th September – Porth Neigwl (Hells Mouth), Wales
  • Sunday 8th September – Whitesands, wales
  • Saturday 14th September – Camber Sands
  • Sunday 15th September – Grange Chine, Isle of Wight
  • Sunday 15th September – Compton, Isle of Wight
  • Sunday 15th September – Littlehampton (West Beach)
  • Friday 4th October – Castlerock, Northern Ireland
  • Saturday 5th October – Runkerry Strand (Portballintrae), Northern Ireland
  • Sunday 6th October – Benone Magilligan, Northern Ireland
  • Saturday 5th October – Thurso, Scotland
  • Sunday 6th October – Sinclair’s Bay, Scotland
  • Monday 7th October – Cruden Bay, Scotland
  • Tuesday 8th October -Pease Bay, Scotland
  • Saturday 12th October – Whitburn, North East
  • Saturday 12th October – Saltburn, North East
  • Sunday 13th October – Cromer, east Coast
  • Saturday 2nd November – Kimmeridge Bay, Dorset
  • Saturday 2nd November – Sidmouth, South Devon
  • Sunday 3rd November – Woolacombe, North Devon

Cold Water Beach Clean Series events will take place from 12noon – 2pm and volunteers can register by emailing [email protected]