ARE WE INVISIBLE?

Surfers from around the country will at 1pm on Saturday 7th June join clean water campaigners Surfers Against Sewage, for a waterborne vigil off Brighton Beach. The vigil is part of an ongoing campaign by SAS to see water users such as surfers recognised under European legislation designed to protect bathers from illness after going in the water.

The legislation (the Bathing Water Directive) came into force in the mid-seventies when bathing was the main form of water based recreation. However, in the 80's and 90's watersports underwent a surge in popularity, which continues today and with the wetsuit making year round water use possible, the directive is now seriously out of date. SAS believe that the legislation should be amended to ensure protection for all water users, throughout the year.

Vicky Garner, SAS; "The Bathing Water Directive was put into place to protect the health of people using our beaches - to protect them from the hazards of sewage pollution. Back in the 70's those people were mainly bathers, now there's an array of watersporting activities. The directive must be updated to reflect this change - if it continues to be selective in its protection of the public, this piece of legislation will continue to be discriminatory".

"Surfing continues to grow as a sport, it's a multi billion pound industry. You can't attempt to update this directive without taking into account surfers and all the other water sports enthusiasts that are increasing in numbers year on year. What makes us any less worth protecting than someone who goes for a swim? Are we invisible?"

Surfers Against Sewage have chosen the resort of Brighton for the event since it hosts a growing surfing population but is also home to one of the largest raw sewage outfalls in the UK. Every day 95 million litres of raw sewage are discharged into the sea off the city.

For further information call Vicky or Richard on 0845 4583001 or 07811 963 562.

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