Surfers Against Sewage are hosting a national day of action on Saturday the 18th May 2024. Protest locations are being confirmed and will be released soon.
Check out our map to find a protest happening near you!
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.
2024 is the year for change.
With a general election likely to happen, we have a real opportunity to build on the momentum and public outrage over sewage pollution from last year. 2024 is also the year that water companies and regulators are setting out their investment plans (PR24) for the next five years (2025 – 2030) which means it is the perfect time to ramp up the pressure.
We need the water companies, the regulators and the Government to listen to what we have to say. Enough is enough.
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, so do take a look at your nearest protest’s Facebook event page to see more details.
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 [email protected] 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!
