2011

Where did the last 12 months go?  Looking back, 2011 has been great for SAS, thanks mainly to the passion and power from our supporters.  The successes and achievements detailed in this round belong to you all.  And as Campaign Director I’d like to say a massive thank you for the help.  The team take you all with us to every meeting with Ministers, whenever we challenge polluting industries and when we are on the beaches physically making it better!

SEWAGE

Since going live in May our Sewage Alert Service has sent almost 80,000 text alerts, warning you when raw sewage has been discharged at your favourite beaches.  Even in deepest, darkest winter we are still able to provide this vital information at key surf spots.  In 2011 we were able to provide the Sewage Alert Service at 50 beaches.  We have already secured 150 beaches for 2012, including some awesome surf spots!

https://www.sas.org.uk/news/2011/10/03/sas-send-over-37000-free-real-time-sewage-alert-texts/

https://www.sas.org.uk/campaigns/sewage-and-sickness/sewage-alert-service/

PROTECT OUR WAVES

This was the year you guys really engaged with SAS on the Protect Our Waves (POW) campaigns.  Early tip offs about threats to Challaborough and Freshwater Bay (IoW) gave us plenty of time to mobilise great support for the waves and as a result they are free from threat.  But as the saying goes, waves are never saved, they are always being saved.  https://www.sas.org.uk/news/2011/11/02/pow-victory-at-challaborough/

https://www.sas.org.uk/news/2011/09/26/isle-of-wight-waveriders-give-an-emphatic-no-to-harbour-development/

We have also been busy ensuring surfing is representing in various offshore renewable developments.  We strongly believe offshore wind, wave and tidal energy can help the UK reduce our carbon emission and energy demands.  However, we will work tirelessly to ensure that these developments are placed in areas that will not impact on our waves.  https://www.sas.org.uk/campaigns/protect-our-waves/coastal-development/

https://www.sas.org.uk/news/2011/05/20/surfers-drop-in-on-international-wave-energy-conference/

We delivered our POW campaigns on at the Global Wave Conference and it’s safe to say, few organisations globally have as much experience, knowledge and expertise to protect waves.  We were stoked to be able to share our ideas with others and inspired by the passion around the world.

https://www.sas.org.uk/campaigns/protect-our-waves/global-wave-conference/

MARINE LITTER

Our 2011 beach clean activities were vast and varied, and even managed to surpass last year’s record breaking efforts.  There have been SAS beach cleans in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Island.  Over 3,000 volunteers have helped remove over almost 10 tons of litter, most of it plastics.  And we all know the problems plastic can cause for the environment and the wildlife that live in it.      

And we don’t just ask our members to document what they see, our beach clean volunteers are an integral part of many campaigns.  From the world’s first ever TrashMob! To the award winning Return To Offender campaign, you are the cogs of an effective marine campaign that is working towards turning the tide of trash that threatens all our beaches.     

https://www.sas.org.uk/sas-tv/2011/03/27/motivocean-surfing-lessons-beach-clean-at-sennen/

https://www.sas.org.uk/news/2011/02/09/sas%e2%80%99s-olympic-beach-clean-tour/

THE SAS COMMUNITY

Our SAS reps have another year’s experience representing surfers and waveriders all around the UK.  Everyone at SAS’s HQ is incredible proud and continually inspired by the dedication and attitude of our 21 volunteer reps.  They are your voice for SAS all around the UK.  Tell them about any concerns you have surrounding your surf spots and they can mobilise the entire SAS network. 

This year they have delivered multiple beach clean operations, helped on hard hitting sewage campaigns, delivered motivational school talks, raised fantastic amounts and represented SAS on TV, in the papers and on the radio. https://www.sas.org.uk/campaigns/2011/11/23/nationwide-campaigns-nationwide-network-nationwide-support/        

We have set a target of 40 reps in important surf and waveriding communities for 2012.  Are you the type of person we should have in the next wave of SAS reps?  https://www.sas.org.uk/sas-background/sas-reps/

Looking forward to 2012, we know our coastal communities will face wave after wave of threats.  However, SAS is stronger, with an experienced core team and a passionate supporter base.  We are best placed to tackle these threats head on, using all the campaigning tools at our disposal to Protect Our Waves.

 

 

 

 

 

 

---

---

---

Leave a comment

Name (required)

E-Mail (will not be published) (required)

Website