Community Events Protecting North Devon’s Surf Heritage.

We are delighted to be working with The Crown Estate on our all new North Devon Beach Clean Series, which will take place this November. We are calling for community beach clean volunteers to help protect some of north Devon’s finest beaches and surf spots. Everyone is welcome so we look forward to seeing SAS members, supporters, environmentalists, families, local surfing and watersports clubs joining us – the whole local beach-loving community in fact!

“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

As most of our supporters 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 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. We’ll be joined by local SAS Rep Mikey Corker who will be helping lead the SAS assault on unwanted beach litter. We’ll also be joined by our friends at the Museum of British Surfing, which is based at the heart of the North Devon surfing community in Braunton.

“We stand shoulder to shoulder with SAS in this vital campaign to highlight the issue of marine litter that blights our coast. I hope you’ll join us down on our stunning beaches in North Devon this month to help clean them up, and also learn more about how this problem can be tackled by us all in our everyday lives,” said surf museum founder, Pete Robinson.

North Devon Beach Clean Series

■Woolacombe – 12th November 11am – 1pm – Meet on the beach just left of the stream (we will have two tents and a flag flying) 
■Saunton Sands – 13th November 11am – 1pm Meet on the beach at the bottom of the slipway (we will have two tents and a flag flying)
■Westward Ho! – 26th November 11am – 1pm – Meet on the beach at the bottom of the slipway (we will have two tents and a flag flying)
■Woody Bay – 27th November – 10am – Midday – Meet on the beach  (we will have two tents and a flag flying)
■Lynmouth – 27th November – 2pm – 4pm – Meet on the beach, to the East of the river and in front of the pitch and putt golf (we will have two tents and a flag flying)

Please let us know that you’ll be joining us by emailing [email protected] or calling 01872 555 953

Please note:

• SAS will be conducting a health & safety briefing for all volunteers before each event
• Volunteers under 16 must be accompanied by an adult
• We ask all volunteers to come dressed in appropriate clothing, including footwear, for the weather on the day of their beach clean.
• Make sure you protect yourself from the sun, rain or wind!

The Crown Estate

The Crown Estate’s responsibility is to maintain and enhance the value of the estate and its income over the long-term, having regard to good management. We operate as a commercial organisation paying our surplus revenue (profit) to the Treasury for the benefit of the nation every year: in 2010/11 this was £230.9 million. We combine the commercial imperative with an equally firm commitment to integrity and stewardship, part of which involves facilitating the development of marine renewables on our marine estate and providing funds for scientific research and community projects that promote responsible management of the marine estate. We are pleased to support Surfers Against Sewage in their efforts to assist the community in protecting their environment and removing litter from north Devon’s coastline.

http://www.thecrownestate.co.uk/

Museum of British Surfing

The Museum of British Surfing is creating a special local surfing & environment section funded by the North Devon Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty & Leader 4, and supported by SAS, at its exhibition venue opening in Braunton next April. It will explain why the North Devon coast became a surfing hub, and highlight issues such as marine litter that affect our coastline.