A huge thank you to all who attended and supported Newquay’s Plastic Wipeout yesterday, it was such a cool and unique event; an epic coastal cleanup event, tackling plastic head on, by land, air and sea. Newquay has never seen anything like it, and the engagement from the community, and positive response we received was brilliant.
Newquay’s Plastic Wipeout was organised in support of the Marine Conservation Society, and all the good work that they do. Three teams of salt water warriors met at the Little Fistral car park, primed with rubbish bags and litter pickers and heaps of energy. After a pep talk and an equipment check, they began their synchronised return towards the harbour; cleaning the coastline in a 3 pronged effort.
The Land Team walked the coast path with litter pickers and bin bags picking up a huge amount of rubbish left over from picnics and bbqs.
The Coasteer Crew took the intertidal line, swimming, traversing, climbing and jumping their way along the shore line.
The Super SUP Team took to the water, paddling across the Gazzle fishing out floating plastic in their path, and venturing into remote coves and beaches that are otherwise impossible to reach.
We had a 30 strong team cleaning the coastline, aged from 5 and 65, and the clean up raised over £250 for the Marine Conservation Society. What an amazing effort everyone, and what a fantastic evening we all had.
Thank you to Tom Crawford, head of Learning & Community Engagement at the Marine Conservation Society, for coming along and working in partnership with the students of the Outdoor Activity Instructor Academy (@outdoorinstructoracademy)
A few months ago Tom visited the students and trained them in how to organise coastal clean ups, and how to record the data. So it was fitting to have Tom back last night to see his training come to fruition, as the now qualified instructors organised their first public event, and then guided guests safely and enjoyably through the epic activities involved.
The OAIA graduates will be working in this natural environment, and the Gazzle is their future office, so it was a fitting way to celebrate the end of the course.
Well done everyone… and see you at our next amazing event!
