A huge thank you to all who attended and supported Newquay’s Plastic Wipeout yesterday, it was such a cool and unique event; an epic coastal cleanup event, tackling plastic head on, by land, air and sea. Newquay has never seen anything like it, and the engagement from the community, and positive response we received was brilliant.

Newquay’s Plastic Wipeout was organised in support of the Marine Conservation Society, and all the good work that they do. Three teams of salt water warriors met at the Little Fistral car park, primed with rubbish bags and litter pickers and heaps of energy. After a pep talk and an equipment check, they began their synchronised return towards the harbour; cleaning the coastline in a 3 pronged effort.

The Land Team walked the coast path with litter pickers and bin bags picking up a huge amount of rubbish left over from picnics and bbqs.

The Coasteer Crew took the intertidal line, swimming, traversing, climbing and jumping their way along the shore line.

The Super SUP Team took to the water, paddling across the Gazzle fishing out floating plastic in their path, and venturing into remote coves and beaches that are otherwise impossible to reach.

We had a 30 strong team cleaning the coastline, aged from 5 and 65, and the clean up raised over £250 for the Marine Conservation Society. What an amazing effort everyone, and what a fantastic evening we all had.

Thank you to Tom Crawford, head of Learning & Community Engagement at the Marine Conservation Society, for coming along and working in partnership with the students of the Outdoor Activity Instructor Academy (@outdoorinstructoracademy)

A few months ago Tom visited the students and trained them in how to organise coastal clean ups, and how to record the data. So it was fitting to have Tom back last night to see his training come to fruition, as the now qualified instructors organised their first public event, and then guided guests safely and enjoyably through the epic activities involved.

The OAIA graduates will be working in this natural environment, and the Gazzle is their future office, so it was a fitting way to celebrate the end of the course.

Well done everyone… and see you at our next amazing event!

Newquay attracts thousands of female wave hunters every year; they come to meet like minded women, enjoy the beautiful Cornish coastline and experience the ocean in all its glory. Surf-based activities are high on the agenda for visitors and locals alike, and that’s why Women + Waves is based right here in Newquay, the epicentre of ocean adventure.

Newquay is famous for its waves, but it’s not all about the surf here. Our gals also enjoy some of the most stunning kayaking and stand up paddleboarding spots in the county, with both tidal river estuary and sea routes on our doorstep. There is also a growing tribe of female coasteerers, and of course Newquay is a mecca for those walking the South West Coast Path. When participating in one of these other activities, you slow down, and get up close and personal with areas of the coastline you’d otherwise miss; it’s a chance to see the beauty, but also an opportunity to spot the blemishes.

A few months ago the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) education team delivered in depth training to Women + Waves on how to conduct coastal cleaning surveys and record the data accurately for reporting and lobbying purposes.

The MCS fights a multifaceted campaign for a “cleaner, better-protected, healthier ocean”, but one of its main strategies is the collection of accurate beach data in order to drive social, political and environmental change. Globally “an estimated 11 million tonnes of plastics enter our ocean” every year, and it’s predicted that “29 million metric tonnes of plastic is expected to enter the ocean every year by 2040”.

The visit from the MCS ignited a spark within our surf girl tribe at Wome+ Waves, and set our imaginations whirling. The UK coastline is under attack from all sides, with rubbish either washed in with the swell, or blown into the ocean from land. So in partnership with our newly graduated Women + Waves surf coach students at the OAIA, we’ve come up with an ingenious 3 pronged attack to clean up Newquay’s coastline from every angle, and raise funds for the MCS Education team in the process.

On 6th July 2023 Women + Waves will unite with OAIA students, the bodyboard community, paddlers, coasteerers and ocean lovers of all denominations, to take action and fundraise in aid of Newquay’s marine environment…after all, we all share the same ocean.

Introducing Newquay’s Plastic Wipeout, a union of adventure and coastal preservation, by land, sea, and catching air; proof that cleaning can be exciting!

There’ll be 3 clean-up crews to choose from. Which salt water tribe will you join?

The Paddlesports Clean-Up Crew

Join a flotilla of paddle boards and kayaks that will cruise across the stunning Gazzle (the water on the north side of Little Fistral) cleaning up any floating plastic and rubbish in their path. Enjoy a relaxing paddle amongst the stunning tea caverns, exploring secret caves, spotting seals and seabirds as you go; led by a qualified guide to show you all the best spots. You’ll have an adventure whilst helping preserve this beautiful marine environment.

To join the Flotilla we ask for a donation of £25 (to go to the MCS), in return for which you’ll be supplied with a wetsuit and either a SUP or Kayak. Participants must be over 8 years old.

The Coasteer Clean-Up Crew

Want to take a leap? Join an adventure coasteer through the intertidal zone, where the ocean meets the land. You’ll be clearing up rubbish along the coastline and in caves; jumping off rock jumps into deep water plunge pools and low level climbing from one point to the next. This will be led by our trained team. Join the gang and help the cause! Enjoy an awesome adventure and raise money. A donation of £40 (to the MCS) to join this crew is required. Participants must be over 8 years old.

The Coast Path Clean-Up Crew

The land crew will be litter-picking along the coast path. Members of the public are welcome to join the land crew, just show up with your bag, and gloves (we will have a limited amount to supply to volunteers) and join the team as they clear the coast of rubbish.

Raffle

We are selling raffle tickets for £4 per ticket, with proceeds going to the MCS to raise money for their education team. An amazing cause that will help protect the marine environment against the ongoing plastic onslaught. Awesome prizes from local businesses include a family Stand Up Paddleboard and snorkel tour from Newquay Activity Centre worth £360. There is also clothing and surf hardware to win.

Want to join Newquay’s Plastic Wipeout?

When and Where:

Meeting point:

Towan Headland (Little Fistral) Car Park – by the old Lifeboat station

When:

Thursday 6th July at 6pm

(Please note, the start time for the Coasteering, Kayaking & Paddleboarding will be 5:15pm, meeting at Newquay Activity Centre)

Ways you can get involved…

• Enter the raffle. £4 per ticket. Exciting prizes to be announced soon!
• Join the Coasteering Clean-up Crew. Tickets are £40 per person – proceeds go towards the Marine Conservation Society.
• Join the Paddlesports Clean Up Crew. Tickets are £25 per person – proceeds go towards the Marine Conservation Society.

Buy your tickets here – first come, first served and limited places available.

For further details please call 01637 877722.