The Redeveloped Safer Seas Service app launches. Now covers Scotland

The Redeveloped Safer Seas Service app launches. Now covers Scotland

Poor water quality and discharges through CSO’s are unfortunately still a thing, and could get worse due to climate change, coastal development and lack of investment in infrastructure. SAS Safer Seas app warns you of pollution.

Launching at the start of the UK bathing season, the app empowers water users to make informed decisions on where and when it is safe to use the sea.

For the first time, the service covers Scottish beaches increasing coverage to more than 350 locations across the UK.

In the last year alone, alerts were issued for 2,039 sewer overflow spills and 1,638 pollution risk alerts.

The Safer Seas Service, developed by environmental charity Surfers Against Sewage continues their campaigning legacy of protecting both our oceans and the safety of people using them against untreated sewage and reduced water quality.

An innovative smartphone app that helps beach users, sea swimmers and watersports enthusiasts track pollution events and real-time water quality information, is launching on May 15 following a major redevelopment.

What started out as a simple text alert service back in 2010, piloted at just two beaches at the time has now become a sophisticated system covering over 350 locations across the UK, and for the first time, includes Scottish beaches.

Hugo Tagholm, CEO of Surfers Against Sewage said: “The Safer Seas Service provides free water quality and beach safety information for hundreds of locations nationwide. Our unique app ensures that all beach users can keep up to date with the latest changes in water quality, which can sometimes fluctuate dramatically during periods of heavy rainfall. We’re delighted to be expanding our coverage across all nations and bringing Scottish beaches into the service for the first time.”

“The Safer Seas Service also includes advice to help subscribers engage with environmental campaigns to protect our ocean and contribute to the ongoing evidence to ensure water companies are investing their profits in better protecting our precious beaches.” said Hugo Tagholm, CEO of Surfers Against Sewage.

Created with the support of the Environment Agency, the revamped app ensures users are notified of reduced water quality at their favourite beaches in real-time, enabling informed decisions about getting in the water – whether swimming, surfing or paddling. The service will be more streamlined than ever before – delivering vital information directly to your smartphone.

In the last year alone the service has issued users with alerts for 2,039 sewer overflow spills and 1,638 alerts based on pollution risk forecasting systems, across all listed locations.

Alongside real-time water quality information, the app provides live surf and tide conditions and descriptions for each beach giving relevant information such as dog restrictions, facilities and lifeguard services.

A record of issued alerts will be available for each location, and the service will collate evidence to enable Surfers Against Sewage to continue its campaigning legacy of challenging water companies to further investment in improving bathing water quality standards.

Furthermore, by providing guidance and information on how ‘sewer stewardship’ can prevent blockages and so-called ‘fatbergs’ that can lead to overflows, it’s hoped the improved app will also engage users in better understanding water quality issues and encourage responsible actions.

To download the smartphone app, designed for both Apple iOS and Android platforms, users should search for ‘Safer Seas Service’ within their app store.

British team selected for World Longboard Champs. Ben Skinner and James Parry give up places to Ben Howey.

British team selected for World Longboard Champs. Ben Skinner and James Parry give up places to Ben Howey.

The British team to attend the World Longboard Championships has been decided in somewhat unusual circumstances with both Ben Skinner and James Parry ceding qualification places earned at the new qualifying event – the British Longboard Championship – to give British Longboard Union Champion, and fifth in the 2018 ISA World Longboard champs Ben Howey a well deserved shot at World champs in Biarritz.

Their decision came after the newly formed “British Surfing” said a one off qualification event should be used to decide the British team places in their inaugural year. A policy ignoring current World, WSL and BLU rankings instead drawing from surfers who made the finals of the 2019 national finals of England, Scotland, Wales and CI to compete in the new British Longboard Championships.

It was an interesting decision say the least. For years the BLU have been very ably representing and helping to develop British longboarding and crowning a British champion. Britain also has numerous elite long boarders representing on the world stages of the WSL, Relik and ISA.

However Ben Howey and Ben Skinner were the surfers most affected. Howey placing fifth at last year ISA event and being current BLU British champion. Skindog placing ninth in the last ISA World Champs, placing highly on WSL and Relik world tours and winning the English title the previous weekend.

Howey had done really well last year breaking the hold of Bearman and Skindog and finishing with the BLU Open title in 2018 and fifth in last years ISA event. It was a great year. But with the new British Surfing criteria all this would seemingly count for nothing unless he made the it through the English Nationals and into the final two places at the qualifying event. The first challenge he met by making the final of the English Nationals, but unfortunately it wasn’t his day in the one foot slop of Watergate and he finished fourth, missing the qualification by two places.

He was not to be denied a team place however. After Eliot Dudley won the event (Elliot had placed second to Howey on last years BLU) Ben Skinner earned second place with James Parry third and Howey forth. The new criteria meant Dudley and Skindog would go to Biarritz. However in an unparalleled display of sportmanship (probably anywhere globally) Skindog, then Parry declined their selection giving up their opportunity to surf for Britain in the World Games to let Ben Howey attend.

“It was a bit of a massive mess leading up to this!’ said Howey, “I still can’t believe the sportmanship and looking out for mates from Skinner and Paz for giving up those spot for me! Very humbled!!!

“Last year was crazy for me with all the comps going my way but British Surfing decided it didn’t count anymore so I was pretty upset, but thanks to those guys I can still give it my best down in France! I can’t wait to try and better our 5th from last year! Big respect to those guys! Anything could have happened at that event as it was like half a foot slop!! “

It was tough decision for Skindog – a former silver medallist – it probably means he has given up his dream becoming a World ISA champion. However it was a black and white decision for him.

“I would just like to say competing at the Worlds means a lot to us all,’ said Skinner “But I really think it means the most to Ben (Howey). I felt the best thing to do was let him go. He worked hard last year and won the British title so he should have been going anyway!

“I have had a lot of opportunities to do this event,’ Skindog continued, “And I have a big year ahead so I am looking forward to supporting the team with everyone else in the comfort of my front room this year! Go Team GB!”

Duct Tape invitee James Parry who would have taken Skindogs place also wanted to give Ben Howey his spot.

“Ben deserved the spot on the British team more than anyone. His hard work, determination and results last year should have earned him an automatic spot in the team anyway, so it was meant to be.”

Outstanding sportsmanship I think you will agree. And knowing what it means to Ben Howey we are sure he will go all out in Biarritz.

Beth Leighfield and Emily Currie will represent in the women event.

A statement from British Longboard manager Minnow and contest report are below.

“Statement by Minnow Green, British Longboard Team Manager on behalf of British Surfing

Following the running of the inaugural British Longboard Championship at Watergate Bay on 11th May 2019, invitations to represent British Surfing at the upcoming ISA World Longboard Championships were made to the 1st and 2nd placed surfers in both the Men’s and Women’s Divisions.

In accordance with the selection criteria defined by British Surfing, where a selected British Team member declines their selection or is unable to compete as a result of failing the medical screening and/or fitness test, this athlete will be replaced with a wildcard selection.

The final team selection is:

Women

Beth Leighfield (ENG)
Emily Currie (ENG)

Men

Elliot Dudley (WAL)
Ben Howey (ENG)

We wish the British Surfing Longboard Team the very best of luck in Biarritz on 26th May – 2nd June.”

Full British round up here.

Contest Report: British Longboard Championships, Watergate Bay 11th May 2019

They came from the four corners of the kingdom…well, nearly…to face off in the inaugural British Longboard Championship, an invitation only event bringing together the best longboarders in the land ‐ as determined by their respective home nation contests ‐ to select the team that will represent British Surfing at the ISA Longboard World Championships in Biarritz at the end of the month.

Things got off to a wobbly start, a weakening surf report throughout the week made Contest Director Minnow Green’s decision to even hold the event seem a very optimistic one. In the end,and despite admittedly mediocre quality surf, it proved to be the right call with fiercely competitive heats from start to finish. The more worrying issue was the non‐appearance of the Channel Islands team and the generally low turnout of women longboarders, but that’s a conundrum for another day.

Battle commenced with the Men’s Open, and predictably strong performances from Ben Skinner (ENG), Elliot Dudley (WAL), James Parry (ENG) and Ben Howey (ENG) in the opening heats. Scotland’s recently crowned and seemingly ever youthful champion Malcolm Findlay also lay down his own challenge for a place on the team. Due to the low turnout in the Women’s Division the competitors surfed a 5 surfer three heat round robin format, spaced out across the day to give the opportunity to surf (in theory) a variety of conditions and tides. First blood went to Emily Currie (ENG), taking first place ahead of fellow Bude local Beth Leighfield (ENG).

Switching back to the Men’s Open we had a repechage round which ‐ due to the missing Channel Island surfers – did little more than offer the chance to surf for a potentially easier quarter final spot. Scotland’s Tom Gibson and Frazier Reid got the nod in two very close heats. The tide began to recede and with it any real power the swell possessed. In a slightly higher‐scoring second heat, Fistral local Jenny Briant (ENG) squeezed past Emily with a 6.67 highest single wave score and a double digit total.

The Men’s quarter finals were almost a re‐run of Round 1, with the three senior English surfers and Elliot Dudley scoring well and putting serious daylight between themselves and their fellow competitors.

Back to the Women, and the final round robin heat. Well, sort of. With the sort of dramatic twist that wouldn’t be out of place in any series‐ending episode of GoT, Beth Leighfield took the heat with some stylish nose riding and an almost mystical ability to find waves where seemingly none should exist, and with Jenny Briant and Emily Currie taking 2nd and 3rd spots respectively we were left with a three way tie and a sudden death final, FINAL heat with only two places in the team up for grabs.

The Men’s semi‐finals saw the departure of Malcolm Findlay, and with it hopes of Scottish representation in France. England’s supergrom Jordan Zervas and Wales’s Evan Rogers and Arran Bright also took their final curtain call after a well fought campaign.

Down to the very sharp end of the competition, the Women took to the stage for their 3 surfer final and it was Beth Leighfield who took control of the heat from the start, finding the best scoring potential in the small and weak left‐handers. Despite a valiant effort by Jenny Briant, it was Emily Currie who found the fractions of a point needed to claim second spot.

The men rounded the day off, the consistently high scoring foursome of Ben, Ben, Elliot and James once again finding huge scoring potential where most of us would struggle to get to our feet. Their ability to cross step, get toes on the nose and drop‐knee turn in such relatively poor conditions never ceases to astound. In the end Elliot Dudley and Ben Skinner made the most of what was on offer, Ben taking 2nd place with his final wave literally seconds before the hooter and in the process relegating James Parry down to 3rd with current BLU Men’s Open Champion Ben Howey having to settle for 4th.

Thanks to Watergate Bay and the Extreme Academy for providing such a fantastic location from which to run the event, the BLU, Minnow Green and assorted contest officials for presiding over a very smoothly run contest, the RNLI lifeguards and commentator Lee Bartlett for managing to find enough longboard‐themed superlatives to keep the crowd entertained throughout the day.

Results
Men’s Final
Elliot Dudley (WAL) 12.00
Ben Skinner (ENG) 11.80
James Parry (ENG) 10.35
Ben Howey (ENG) 8.30

Women’s Final
Beth Leighfield (ENG) 9.17
Emily Currie (ENG) 6.50
Jenny Briant (ENG) 5.17

Coca Cola and PepsiCo Litter Leaders

Coca Cola and PepsiCo Litter Leaders

Research reveals Coca Cola and PepsiCo responsible for 25% of packaging pollution found on UK beaches

· The UK’s biggest ever UK packaging pollution brand survey has found a small number of parent companies are responsible for the majority of packaging pollution found on UK beaches and rivers
· Surfers Against Sewage has submitted the full data to government and calls for transparency from the UK’s biggest polluters to disclose the quantity of their plastic packaging production
· Photos of the brand audit beach cleans available here: 

The UK’s biggest ever nation-wide survey of packaging pollution found on UK beaches and rivers has revealed that the vast majority of UK waste found strewn across the coastline is the responsibility of just a handful of companies – with Coca Cola and PepsiCo named the worst offenders.

The figures, unveiled by ocean conservation charity Surfers Against Sewage, have been submitted to government as campaigners call for transparency from the UK’s ‘biggest packaging polluters’.

It follows the UK’s largest ever nation-wide survey of packaging pollution found on Britain’s beaches and rivers, conducted by more than 45,000 volunteers during SAS’s recent Big Spring Beach Clean series.

· The full report is available here: 

The results show that the vast majority of UK branded waste found strewn across the coastline is the responsibility of just a handful of parent companies, with 10 parent companies accounting for well over half the total number of items.

During the 229 cleans in April, 49,413 pieces of pollution were picked up, of which 20,045 were branded, with Coca Cola producing the largest proportion of branded items (15.5 per cent). PepsiCo made 10.3 per cent, followed by Mondelez International, which owns Cadbury, at 6.8%, McDonalds 6 per cent and Nestle 5.5%.

Hugo Tagholm, Chief Executive of Surfers Against Sewage says: ‘Our survey of packaging pollution on beaches and rivers clearly shows that big business is responsible for the scourge of plastic and packaging pollution.

Just ten companies were responsible for over half of the packaging pollution recorded. These companies must invest more in the redesign of packaging, alternative ways of product delivery and ramping up packaging re-use to truly turn the tide on the plastic pollution that is sweeping our world.

People and planet need these companies to change how they do business. At the moment, the cost of this waste is left in the hands of local councils, tax payers and, finally, the environment.”

The research has been submitted to the UK government as evidence in the consultation underway on plastic packaging and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) in a bid to make producers (parent companies) take more responsibility for the costs of dealing with their packaging.

Under the present EPR guidelines, producers ‘that handle over 50 tonnes of packaging annually and have an annual turnover over £2 million’ should be accountable for the cost and system for dealing with the packaging they create and sell.

But, currently, parent companies do not share information on the quantity of packaging they produce, hiding the scale of their damage to the environment - and paying less than 10% of the costs of dealing with it. At the moment, the cost of dealing with this waste is left in the hands of local councils, tax payers and, finally, the environment. New EPR regulation will mean producers become accountable for 100% of these costs, but it is critical that there is transparency in regards to how much packaging is being produced, for new packaging responsibility regulation to be effective.

Hugo Tagholm said: “Producers must offer full transparency and disclosure on the amount and type of packaging they use in order that new extended producer regulation can be truly effective. Our environment is in peril and plastic pollution is a clear indicator that business as usual just won’t do.

“This is not a littering issue – business needs to provide radical and responsible new systems that drastically reduce their impact on our oceans, forests and nature at large.

The analysis of the information collected was undertaken by independent environmental consultancy Eunomia Research & Consulting.

Full information on the research and analysis methodology can be found here

The Top 10 Parent Companies (Branded Pollution Only)

The Top 10 Brands (Branded Pollution Only)

During the analysis, research was divided into two levels; firstly, the brand of the product, and, secondly, the parent company who owns the brand.

A total of 20,045 branded items were submitted over the course of the Big Spring Beach Clean campaign. 496 of the brands had only one or two items associated with them and were not mapped to their parent companies. The remaining 303 brands were mapped to a total of 171 parent companies, the top 50 of which accounted for 92% of the branded items.

While using citizen science as a method of data collection allows us to amass large amounts of data in a cost-effective manner, the data collected has some limitations associated with it owing to the lack of oversight regarding how data are collected and recorded. Inconsistencies in the data gathering process are an accepted characteristic of citizen science projects, and these can introduce an unavoidable level of uncertainty to collected data.

In Defra’s guidance, packaging is defined as ‘any material used to hold, protect, handle, deliver and present goods. This includes packaging for raw materials right through to finished goods to be sold or being sold.’

Go Fund Me page set up for to help family pay Sunny Garcia’s medical bills

Go Fund Me page set up for to help family pay Sunny Garcia’s medical bills

Donate here
www.gofundme.com/support-for-sunny-garcia-and-family

No more news as yet to the Champs well being but a note below offers hope. The Go Fund me page will provide the funds needed to pay for Sunnys treatment.

“We want to help support his family in this tough time, so that they can be there for him without any stress or worry about their own finances while they focus on their father and his road to recovery.

“On behalf of the family we have started a Gofundme to help support them with mounting bills and expenses while our beloved friend Sunny recovers in an ICU in Oregon.

“As most of you know, he has been in critical condition since Monday the 29th. True to Sunny, he is strong and he is fighting . . . each day brings a glimmer of hope but it will be a very long road ahead. His amazing family have been there night and day to support him and each other, but being away from Hawaii is incredibly costly and with each day the expenses grow. His children Kaila, Logan, and Stone bear an incredible financial burden – which should be the last of their worries at this time. We are reaching out to his friends and family in the surfing community for your help!