Thousands Paddle Out to Demand an End to Sewage Pollution

Saturday’s Paddle-Out Protests were nothing short of historic. Thousands of people took to beaches, rivers and coastlines in 56 locations across the UK to demand an end to sewage pollution – making this our biggest number of Paddle-Out Protests on record.

Together, we sent a message this government cannot ignore.

From surfers and swimmers to kayakers, families, campaigners and communities, people showed up in force for clean water. Banners were raised. Stories were shared. Voices rang out from the shoreline to Parliament.

And honestly? The energy was ELECTRIC (scroll to the end to see photo evidence!)

Were you there on Saturday? Let us know you attended so we can set an SAS record!

Yes I was there

Falmouth Paddle-Out Protest  – photo by Mat Arney

This is people power in action

Across the country, communities brought creativity, colour and defiance to the water’s edge, catching the attention of nationwide media.

In Bristol, a 90ft E.coli inflatable made an unforgettable appearance. In Falmouth, giant toilet props, a basking shark and even a tree god joined the protest. In Porthcawl, brown flags flew high. Surfers spelled out “POO” in the sea. There was music, dancing, powerful speeches and moments of peaceful reflection – including a moving floral tribute in Brighton, following the devastating news there last week.

This is people power in action. Thousands united by one simple belief: our rivers, lakes and coastlines should not be sacrificed for pollution and profit.

Taunton Paddle-Out Protest – photo by Kim Johnson

The Ocean Activist movement is growing

The scale of this year’s mobilisation shows just how fast this movement is growing. We saw first-time protestors standing alongside long-time campaigners. Plastic Free Communities, SAS Reps, ambassadors, Paddle-Out Protest leads, swimmers, activists and political representatives all joining together to demand change.

We even hosted our first online Paddle-Out Protest, bringing people together digitally to stand up for clean water from wherever they were.

Every Paddle-Out Protest, every banner and every shared post helped amplify one message loud and clear: we demand an end to sewage pollution.

Chris Hines (SAS Founding Member), Julie Maughan (Heather Preen’s mother) and Giles Bristow (SAS CEO) – PA Media

Public pressure is forcing political action

And it’s working. The government is listening.

Public pressure has pushed sewage pollution to the top of the political agenda. Following the release of Dirty Business on Channel 4 – and thanks to the hundreds of thousands of people backing our campaign – the government is finally being forced to listen. This week, we’ll be taking your voices directly into a meeting with Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds.

But this fight is far from over.

Llanberis Paddle-Out Protest – photo by Sean Jones

Why the Clean Water Bill matters

The Clean Water Bill is heading to Parliament later this year, and we cannot allow it to lock us into the same broken privatised system that has enabled pollution for profit for decades.

We need real reform. Real accountability. And real protection for our waters.

More than a quarter of a million people have already signed our petition to end the sewage scandal. Now we’re pushing for half a million signatures – because that’s a number this government simply can’t ignore.

Every signature matters. Every share matters. Every person who joins this movement helps turn the tide.

Sign the petition

Rhu, Scotland – Paddle-Out Protest

How you can take action

To everyone who paddled out, volunteered, organised, spoke, shared, supported or stood in solidarity on Saturday: thank you.

This movement is powered by people who care deeply about protecting the places they love – and this weekend proved just how unstoppable that collective force has become.

The Paddle-Out Protests may be over (until next year). But the fight for clean water is only getting louder. Here’s how you can take action:

Sign & share the petition

Sharing photos from the Paddle-Out Protests online? Remember to include a link to the petition!

Join more than a quarter of a million people demanding an end to sewage pollution and help us reach half a million signatures.

Already signed? Send it to your friends, your family group chat and anyone else who’s sick of sewage pollution. Together, we can turn outrage into action.

Sign & share the petition

Were you there?

If you joined a Paddle-Out Protest on Saturday but didn’t check in on the day, fill out our quick form and help us record the biggest Paddle-Out mobilisation in SAS history.

Let us know you attended