Some of the JK Team took part in Surfers Against Sewage's Nationwide Paddle Out Protests on Saturday 20 May 2023.
Just Kampers has been working with Surfers Against Sewage for a number of years now, and are part of their SAS Ocean Network of businesses who support the charity.
Tim, Amber, and Gemma from the JK Team, Al who works with us as a designer, and some of their friends, grabbed their surfboards, paddles, and placards to hit the beach and raise awareness of the crisis facing the world's oceans and the role that water companies are playing in that crisis by dumping sewage into our waterways.
The message behind the Paddle Out Protests is clear:
"Our ocean is under threat. Water companies are forcing our rivers and seas into a critical state by continuing to dump a toxic chemical cocktail of untreated sewage straight into our waterways. And for far too long, regulators and government have let them get away with it. Not only are they destroying ecosystems, they are putting human health at risk. And we're sick of it."
Surfers Against Sewage have simple demands:
"We REFUSE to spend another summer swimming in sh*t. we DEMAND water companies take responsibility and clean up their act. And regulators and Government must hold them to account. They must stop pillaging our waterways and start investing in much needed infrastructure for our future, for the sake of people and the planet.
We demand an end to sewage discharge into UK bathing waters and a 90% reduction in sewage discharges by 2030."
A photo that Amber from the JK Team got of the Surfers Against Sewage
A few of the JK Team and their families taking part in the Paddle Out Protests on Saturday 20 May 2023
How to get involved with the Paddle Out Protests:
These protests are designed to raise awareness of an issue which affects all of us, whether you live near the coast or not. If you're keen to get involved, you can click here to see more information about Surfers Against Sewage's protest.
You don't need to be a keen swimmer or skilled surfer to take part - you don't even have to get your feet wet! Click here to read the FAQ on the event, and see how you can get involved and help make a difference.
Finding your local Paddle Out Protest:
There's a map available which shows the dozen protests taking place around the UK this weekend, and you can click here to view the protest map.
Gemma's dog Nom got involved in the Paddle Out Protests too, since he loves the sea and wants the water kept clean
Nom took the opportunity to work on his excellent seal impression
SAS Ocean NetworkMore about Surfers Against Sewage and their Paddle Out Protests:
Surfers Against Sewage have warned that the UK sewage system is at breaking point, under huge strain from a growing population and the increasing frequency of extreme weather events caused by climate change. Built on a Victorian system, our decaying sewage infrastructure is in desperate need of investment.
They've also warned that, rather than spending money where it’s needed, water companies are stuffing their pockets while failing environmental targets and damaging the UK's waterways. These companies continue to get away with regularly dumping untreated sewage into our blue spaces for millions of hours every year, according to Surfers Against Sewage's data.
"We REFUSE to spend another summer swimming in sh*t and we DEMAND that water companies stop making a profit from pollution and start investing in our future, for the sake of people and the planet", Surfers Against Sewage have said.
Just Kampers and Surfers Against Sewage:
We're part of Surfers Agaisnt Sewage's SAS Ocean Network, and play a part in helping to fund the charity. As well as this, our very own Gemma Halliday is a regional representative for Surfers Against Sewage, and takes an active role in fundraising, awareness campaigns, and organising cleanups of beaches and local waterways.
Our support for Surfers Against Sewage is part of our larger commitment to environmental and social responsibility, which you can read more about here.
