For more images and to sign the petition head to the SAS website here. 

Big Spring Beach Clean 2013

Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) is calling on coastal communities to get involved with the SAS Big Spring Beach Clean on 22^nd, 23^rd & 24^th March to help tackle the marine litter crisis hitting UK shores.

SAS is encouraging community volunteers to lead their own beach cleans as part of the SAS Big Spring Beach Clean, offering advice, equipment and promotional materials to ensure safe and successful events. All lead volunteers will also receive a limited edition Klean Kanteen©; a refillable, safe, healthy, lightweight, reusable bottle free of Bisphenol A (BPA) and other toxin substances.

The SAS Big Spring Beach Clean will take place between 11am and 2pm on 22^nd, 23^rd & 24^th March, so get ready to roll up your sleeves for UK beaches.  For more details and to register your event please contact SAS on 01872 553 001 or email dom@sas.org.uk

Sadly, the springtime reveals the true severity of the marine litter crisis. The impact of winter storms and in absence of seasonal council beach cleaning operations, the accumulation of litter can be truly shocking. Typical examples of marine litter include rubbish from beach users, sewage-related debris, waste from commercial shipping, nets and fish boxes from fishing vessels and medical waste.

Marine litter is thought to reduce the resiliance of marine ecosystems and add to other human impacts on the marine environment such as inappropriate development, sewage and agricultural pollution, climate change and ocean acidification (Derraik, 2002). Marine litter can also dramatically affect quality of life,  recreational opportunities and aesthetic value. The majority of beach users rank cleanliness as a priority in chosing their destination. A 2005 ENCAMS study showed that 97% of people avoided beaches with 10 or more large litter items per metre.

Hugo Tagholm, SAS Executive Director says: “The marine litter crisis is a major issue hitting beautiful beaches right around the UK. The SAS Big Spring Beach Clean empowers communities and educates the public on how we can all play our part in turning the tide of marine litter.”

SAS joining offer!

EVERYONE who joins SAS or renews their membership from now until the end of the year quoting ‘WAVES’ will receive a free copy of this fantastic book, worth £15.

So if you join as a POW Guardian the amazing package will include a free book as well as the exclusive organic POW t-shirt & sticker and of course all the usual member’s goodies. It can also be purchased as Gift Membership which includes a gift card and personalised message making the perfect Christmas eco-gift!

http://www.sas.org.uk/join

The Surfer’s Guide to Waves, Coasts and Climates by Tony Butt, published by Alison Hodge, ISBN 9780906720585, rrp £15.

Terms & conditions: Quote ‘WAVES’ when ordering. The offer is for new or renewing SAS members joining with one annual payment (online or by telephone) and is for UK residents only. Offer ends 31/12/2012.

Return To Offender

Surfers Against Sewage is delighted to announce the inaugural Return To Offender weekend on 24^th and 25^th November, giving the public a fantastic opportunity to challenge businesses about the marine litter crisis. Over the past 15 years the amount of marine litter washing up on UK beaches has almost doubled. The Return To Offender initiative is an activity designed to help individuals and communities confront businesses with items of litter found on UK beaches, asking them to take specific actions including:

• Increasing anti-littering messaging on their products to better inform consumers about reuse, recycling and proper disposal.
• Reducing the amount of packaging used for their products.
• Identifying less harmful packaging options to safeguard the environment.
• Supporting environmental initiatives and community activities to protect oceans and beaches.

The activity will see SAS campaigners and supporters from Land’s End to the Orkney Islands returning to manufacturers pieces of marine litter found on tidelines nationwide asking for more to be done to protect these unique environments. It will also highlight particular sources of marine litter and solutions that can contribute to the reduction of marine litter.

To get involved communities and individuals can download Return To Offender resources at www.sas.org.uk

The weekend will encourage individual beach cleans through SAS Regional Reps, SAS members, SAS supporters, SAS activists, the general public, supportive local businesses and national businesses. Most of all, SAS will actively promote individual activity of collecting just one or two items of litter from local beaches across the UK.SAS is encouraging all our supporters to take action during the weekend, becoming a part the anti-beach litter campaign.

This method of tackling the issue is a tried and tested one. Currently 5% of all litter found in the UK is from one company, Coca Cola*. Thanks to our Return To Offender campaign Coca Cola has already responded positively and made packaging changes.

SAS aims to encourage up to 1,000 individuals to get involved with the Return to Offender initiative as a result of the weekend.

SAS Beach Litter officer Dom Ferris says:  “SAS’s Return To Offender initiative is a powerful reminder to manufacturers that they should do more to tackle the marine litter crisis. Please get involved with making sure your beach has a voice as part of the Return To Offender weekend.”

Surfers Against Sewage would like to thank the Patagonia Tides Foundation for their support in helping make this initiative possible.

Surfers Against Sewage

Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) is delighted to launch its new Regional Reps website, www.sasreps.org.uk, highlighting its newly expanded nationwide network of dedicated volunteers fighting to keep UK oceans, waves, waterways and beaches free from pollution. The interactive website also highlights key environmental issues facing Britain’s surf spots and details current SAS campaigns targeting polluters and calling for better protection for unique, precious oceans, waterways and beaches.

The team of SAS Regional Reps reaches from the farwest of Cornwall to the Orkney Islands, and includes surfers, scientists, sailors, teachers and adventurers with a common passion for our oceans and beaches. Whether it’s marine litter, contamination from combined sewer overflows, industrial malpractice or development issues, SAS Regional Reps focus on the burning environmental issues in their region, helping engage the local community to take action and deliver environmental protection.

SAS Director Hugo Tagholm says “We are very excited about expanding the SAS Regional Reps programme to help further raise the visibility, effectiveness and impact of our community projects and environmental initiatives. We are very excited to be working with EOCA & Speedo on this grassroots project to protect our beautiful beaches and coastlines. It’s inspiring to have so many talented and passionate individuals volunteering for SAS, a cause which is clearly very close to their hearts.”

SAS is also delighted to announce the recruitment of champion UK surfer Gabe Davies as Chair of the Regional Reps programme. Gabe is from Newcastle in the North East of England and is Britain’s most successful big wave surfer. He has won four British surfing titles, numerous English titles and has represented his nation at the World and European Championships.

Gabe Davies says “I am delighted to be involved with SAS’s Regional Reps programme, a fantastic network of passionate volunteers helping protect the UK’s waves, oceans and beaches for everyone to enjoy safely and sustainably. If you want to get involved with protecting your local beach or surf spot, make sure you drop your local rep a line.”

It is thanks to the support of the European Outdoor Conservation Association (EOCA) and Speedo that SAS has been able to significantly expand the Regional Reps programme. Over the next 18 months Regional Reps will attend training events, deliver environmental community activities and support SAS campaigns calling for greater recognition and protection of UK beaches.

Tanya Bascombe of EOCA says: “We are thrilled to support SAS’s Regional Reps initiative. It’s brilliant seeing so many committed individuals dedicating time to protect our precious environment, delivering tangible results with the support of the local community through beach cleans and other volunteer activities.”

Mark Wyatt, UK Commercial Director of Speedo says “Speedo’s ambition is to inspire people to swim, or in fact simply enjoy being in water so we’re very proud to support SAS. We look forward to the relationship developing and of course enabling more SAS Reps to be part of something great for UK waters and the environment.”

Protect our Waves - Sign the petition today!

The aim of SAS’s Protect Our Waves petition is to generate at least 100,000 signatures to highlight the value of surfing waves and locations to the UK government and encourage MPs to debate legislation in order to recognise the importance of waves as a cultural, social, economic and environmental asset to coastal communities.

SAS believes that waves and surf spots deserve to be seen as part of UK heritage and should be afforded greater recognition and protection through debate and legislation.

By signing the Protect Our Waves petition: “I am calling on Parliament to debate the economic and intrinsic value of UK surfing waves and beaches, and produce specific legislation to protect these unique, finite assets for this and future generations.”

SAS and the Dorset Wildlife Trust will be on hand this Sunday the 5th of February to run a beach clean at Charnel, just west of Kimmeridge. The clean will be starting at 11am, so if you would like to get involved and help out this great cause, get yourselves down there. Dorset Wildlife Trust volunteers will be around to pick up any lost or bewildered beach cleaners.

The clean will be finished by 2pm and all branded litter will be separated out and RTO (Returned To Offender) – a practise SAS have set up to try and get companies thinking about how they package their goods. Bottles will be rinsed out and recycled and the MOD have agreed to dispose of any other materials found.

If this sounds like something you might want to be a part of then please email info@sas.org.uk for more details and head over to the SAS website for more details on what the organisation do.

Kiter Kirsty Jones with a pile of litter at Kimmeridge

Directions to beach clean: The beach clean will be at Charnel , just west of Kimmeridge. Park in the main Kimmeridge carpark. Walk up past the oil well and through the metal gates. The footpath to Charnel beach is a short walk away.

Sewage Alert Service

The 2011 bathing season results were released yesterday and the figures are raising concerns at Surfers Against Sewage (SAS).  Many beaches in England and Wales may be meeting woefully inadequate water quality standards set down 35 years ago, but this still leaves bathers exposed to significant numbers of sewage spills and possible serious health implications. Today SAS will brief Defra Minister Richard Benyon MP on their pioneering Sewage Alert Service.  This service has delivered the public with unprecedented insight into how frequently raw sewage is discharged into the sea.  Since May 2011 SAS has sent out 64,000 free real time sewage warnings.  The high number of sewage discharges is a major threat to water users’ health and to the UK’s chances of reaching the stricter bathing water standards from 2015. Sewage discharges and related health impacts can easily slip through the current water quality testing programme.

SAS’s Sewage Alert Service is a free real time system that informs people when sewage has been discharged via a Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) the sea.  SAS post the information on their map at www.sas.org.uk and also send out free text alerts.  This summer SAS was able to share this real time information at 47 beaches, the majority of them being Blue Flag Beaches.  But the considerable number of discharges was worrying.

SAS’s Sewage Alert Service gives beach users vital water quality information when they need it most – when sewage is in the sea and water quality can be compromised.  Unlike the UK water quality testing programme which is retrospective.  SAS are working with South West Water, Welsh Water, Wessex Water, Yorkshire Water, Southern Water and Northumbrian Water and receiving technical advice from the Environment Agency and Defra.  SAS will dramatically upscale the beaches in the Sewage Alert Service for 2012 and beyond.

Unfortunately, 97.8% of England and Wales’ beaches meeting an outdated and inadequate standard is nothing to shout about.  Defra figures show that bathing at a beach with a mandatory standard could give you 1 in 7 chance of contracting Gastro Enteritis.  The higher guideline standard can still offer you a 1 in 20 chance of contracting Gastro Enteritis (achieved at 88.2% of beaches at England and Wales).

In 2006 SAS helped secure tougher new bathing water standards that will offer better protection to water users.  These standards in the revised Bathing Water Directive will come into force in 2015 and include 4 years of continuous bathing seasons data.

SAS Campaign Director says:  “Raw sewage can pose a significant health risk and our Sewage Alert Service is a step forward for beach users, providing the only real time warnings of sewage pollution at UK bathing waters. This is the only way beach users can actually avoid coming into contact with sewage spills from combined sewer overflows.  We are hoping for continued support from Defra Minster Richard Benyon, the EA and the water companies to make the Sewage Alert Service even better in 2012.”

SAS are also promoting their Think Before You Flush campaign to encourage the public to stop using the toilet as a wet bin as this can result in sewer blockages and sewage discharges.  And SAS are impressed with EA pilot projects tackling diffuse pollution, another impact on water quality.

More on www.sas.org.uk

SAS North Devon Beach Clean

This November, Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) is calling for community beach clean volunteers to help protect some of north Devon’s finest beaches and surf spots from the growing issue of marine litter. The North Devon Beach Clean Series will take place from 12^th – 27^th November at 5 very special beaches across the region. SAS is organising the North Devon Beach Clean Series with the support of The Crown Estate.

Everyone is welcome to the North Devon Beach Clean Series and the SAS team looks forward to seeing SAS members, supporters, environmentalists, families, local surfing and watersports clubs joining them – the whole local beach-loving community in fact!

North Devon Beach Clean Series

• Woolacombe – 12^th November 11am – 1pm
• Saunton Sands – 13^th November 11am – 1pm
• Westward Ho! – 26^th November 11am – 1pm
• Woody Bay – 27^th November – 10am – Midday
• Lynmouth – 27^th November – 2pm – 4pm

As many SAS supporters and local residents will already be aware, the amount of marine litter found on UK beaches has almost doubled in the last fifteen years, with at least 1 piece being found on average for every 30cm of sand. Since 1994, plastic items washing up on our shores have increased by 135%. Plastic debris can take hundreds of years to break down and can be lethal to marine wildlife. The power is in our hands to make a difference and we hope to see hundreds of volunteers making a positive difference to the North Devon coast this November.

“Its amazing to see a real concentrated beach clean campaign right here in North Devon. We have some of the country’s best surf spots situated on one of the most beautiful stretches of coastlines in the world, and this will be a great opportunity to pull together and make a positive impact on the ever growing marine litter problem.” Mikey Corker, SAS North Devon Rep

SAS will be joined by local SAS Rep Mikey Corker who will be helping lead the SAS assault on unwanted beach litter. SAS will also be joined by friends from the Museum of British Surfing (www.museumofbritishsurfing.org.uk), which is based at the heart of the North Devon surfing community in Braunton.

Volunteers who would like take part in one or more of the events should contact Dom Ferris, SAS Campaign Officer on dom@sas.org.uk or call 01872 555 953

Surfers Against Sewage

Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) is a not-for profit environmental pressure group focused on the protection of the UK’s oceans, waves and beaches for all to access, use and enjoy safely and sustainably, via campaigning, volunteering, conservation, education and scientific research.

For more information about Surfers Against Sewage campaigns please visit www.sas.org.uk

SAS Keep Cup

Our love of great takeaway coffee is costing our environment dearly, with some estimates suggesting that Americans use up to 23 billion paper coffee cups a year. As disposable ‘paper’ cups are actually coated in plastic they aren’t recyclable, so most end up in landfill. By weight, there’s enough plastic in 28 disposable cups and lids to make one KeepCup and over a year, KeepCups use half the carbon, one third of the water and half the energy compared with disposables.

Fitting into most car cup holders and many bicycle bottle holders, the KeepCup is built for coffee on the go, perfect for those weekend surf trips down to the coast. It’s the first barista standard reusable cup, replicating standard takeaway sizes and fitting under the group heads of espresso machines. They’re lightweight, dishwasher safe, microwaveable, splashproof, have a sealable lid and sipper hole and are pleasing to drink from with the lid on or off. They’re non-toxic and free of chemical nasties such as BPA and they have good thermal properties keeping beverages hot 20-30 minutes longer than disposable cups.

They’re stylishly designed and branded with the SAS logo so you can raise awareness as well as essential funds that will help protect our oceans, waves and beaches. Small acts can make a big difference – SAS Keepcups are available from www.sas.org.uk/shop at the member’s discount price £8.10 (£9 to non-members)

SAS Jute Beachbag

Just in time for long lazy days at the beach, SAS’s new environmentally friendly jute beach bag has arrived! As well as being made from sustainable, biodegradable jute, they’re ethically produced so you can be sure that no exploitation has taken place during their manufacture.

The fabric is a jute/cotton mix and has a lovely soft slubby texture. It’s slate grey with a lipstick pink inner lining and the design is the new Under The Sea creation from illustrator Kate Sutton. Available now from the SAS shop at £13.50 to SAS members (£15 to non-members). Order online at www.sas.org.uk

SAS 'Save Broadbench' campaign t-shirt

The current SAS campaign t-shirt highlights the ongoing battle for access to one of the UK’s finest breaks at Broadbench. This wave’s on the boundary of an MOD firing range, however SAS believe a compromise can be reached, ensuring waveriders have 100% access to Broadbench without impacting on the MoD’s full use of the firing range. By buying the t-shirt you’ll be helping support this and other Protect Our Waves campaigns throughout 2011. Price £22.50 to SAS members (£25 to non-members). Order online at www.sas.org.uk

Oh what fun...

Surfers Against Sewage campaign to protect the marine environment on behalf of surfers, wave riders and water users all over the UK.  The threats to our coastline exist in many forms, including sewage and chemical spills, marine litter, impacts on wave quality and rights of access.

Tree

The SAS Christmas card is an important fundraiser and is a great way to convey the campaign message to friends and family.  On the back of each card there’s a little information about marine pollution and how to support SAS by becoming a member

Litter

This year’s SAS Christmas cards emphasise the problem of marine litter.  Marine litter pollutes our beautiful beaches and can take hundreds of years to degrade.  It’s hazardous to wildlife and our health, costs tax payers millions to clear up and nobody wants to see it in the lineup. The cards come in a pack of 4 beautiful designs, all by illustrator Kate Sutton and they are printed 100% recycled card.  They cost £3.50/£3.15 (member’s price) for a mixed pack of 8 cards (2 of each design) or  £4/£3.60 (member’s price) for a pack of 10 of one design.

Globe

The designer of the cards is Kate Sutton and she has been working as a Freelance Illustrator since graduating 5 years ago. Her work is heavily influenced by nature, which stems from her love of being outside. Trees and woodland creatures are a common sight in her drawings, along with repeat patterns and hand lettering, other influences include folk art, maps, and old children’s books. She loves to sew and has a new found love of screen printing.

More at www.sas.org.uk

Love your beach

mygames youth volunteering programme brings the magic of the 2012 Olympic Games to UK Beaches

Young people across the UK are being offered the chance of a lifetime, as the magic of the 2012 Olympics comes to town.  Organisers from Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) are using the inspiration of the Olympic Games to encourage young people to share their time and talents and make a positive difference in their beach environment and community.

The “mygames” programme, launched today, calls on young people to undertake exciting volunteering projects in the community that promote and celebrate the values of the 2012 Olympic Games. Values that include friendship, respect, excellence, equality and determination.

This August, SAS will be promoting the link between coastal environmental protection and the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games through its event ‘Motivocean – Beach Clean & Sports Tour’. SAS will be holding events right around the country between 20^th – 31^st August, offering youth volunteers the chance to get involved with beach clean activities and then go surfing as a reward.

Motivocean is SAS’s most ambitious beach clean tour to date SAS and offers volunteers between 16-25 years old the opportunity to access and experience exciting sports, including surfing and some Olympic sports, by participating in the protection of the very environment that facilitates them – our beaches & oceans. The sea and coastal environment are a vital component of so many sporting activities from sailing to surfing, windsurfing to volley ball, and through this initiative SAS aims to reinforce and build awareness, linking sport and protection of the environment.

Hugo Tagholm, Director of Surfers Against Sewage commented, “We’re delighted to be launching the mygames programme, which will help volunteers develop their skills, while making a meaningful difference to the coastal environment. Youth volunteers will be involved in a range of activities through our Motivocean Beach Clean & Sports Tour including protecting the UK’s precious coastline. They’ll also get the chance to go surfing with us.”

The programme is part of a unique collaboration of 20 innovative charities across England, who have come together to deliver mygames. The programme will turbo-boost the impact of the Olympics & Paralympics across England.

The programme is funded and powered by v, The National Young Volunteers Service.  Surfers Against Sewage was chosen by v for its imaginative approach to working with young people, its fresh ideas and its commitment to embracing the opportunities created by 2012.

The nationwide mygames programme will provide wide-ranging volunteering opportunities for 10,000 young people. Projects will focus around the themes of Education, Culture, Environment, Health and Sport.

The organisers hope to tap in to a recent survey on attitudes to 2012 which showed that a third of people in the UK say they would give up their time for an Olympic-inspired activity. Among young people, there was even greater enthusiasm, with 48 per cent saying they would give up their time, according to the DCMS survey.

Terry Ryall, v’s Chief Executive, says: “v is delighted to award Surfers Against Sewage this grant to support volunteering among 16-25s. We are committed to strengthening the role of young people in society. mygames is a fantastic way to harness the talents, energy and enthusiasm of a new generation of young people.”

Surfers Against Sewage is now looking to recruit young volunteers for the project – further information can be found by contacting Chris Ranford on chris@sas.org.uk or 01872 553 001, or by visiting vinspired.com.

Sponsor Steve Skinner – increasing support for Surfers Against Sewage

Cornwall-based Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) has won bigger backing from one of the county’s best-known breweries to boost its campaign in its 20th anniversary year.

SAS has agreed a new two-year sponsorship deal with Skinners Brewery, of Truro. It involves increased financial support together with new beer mats, posters and a monthly draw all designed to create even more awareness for the campaign.

SAS, which is run from St Agnes, was formed by a group of local surfers anxious to stop sewage pollution at their Cornish surf breaks. They were swiftly joined by like-minded water users all over the UK campaigning for clean and safe recreational waters.

They have been supported by Skinners ever since the brewery’s own launch in 1997, with members of the brewery-owning family being accomplished surfers themselves.

Chief executive Steve Skinner explained: “We are increasing our sponsorship for SAS because we feel it is both appropriate in their 20th anniversary year and more necessary than ever.

“They have come a long way in their first 20 years. I personally can remember very clearly the days when we would be surfing in brown water at Newquay’s Fistral Beach, with hotels dumping their sewage straight into the sea.

“Mercifully, that is now history, but it is equally clear that there is still much work that needs to be done in creating even more momentum to protect beaches, oceans, waterways and waves right across the UK. We like the direction in which SAS is going and are delighted to be able to increase our support for them.”

The beer mats that are part of Skinners’ increased support will include details of a monthly draw for everyone joining SAS. Each month for a year, Skinners will give away an 18-pint ale polypin to the winner.

The brewery is also planning to host a big thank-you party at its Newham base for sponsors and supporters of SAS.

SAS director Hugo Tagholm commented: “We are delighted to further develop our association with Skinner’s Brewery, who have generously increased their sponsorship towards our vital projects to help protect beaches, oceans and waves right around the country, not least right here in Cornwall.

“As one of our long-term supporters, Skinners have seen first hand the positive difference SAS has made and continues to make to our shores, and we are grateful for their support in making sure the campaigns are as hard hitting and effective as possible. A big thank you to Steve and the whole Skinners team.”

www.sas.org.uk / www.skinnersbrewery.com