The Single Fin Mingle 2019

The Single Fin Mingle 2019

From the periphery, a surfing competition can seem insignificant. But when they are done so well, with a spirit so full of passion, love and enthusiasm, it is it clear they can make a positive impact in the world - The Single Fin Mingle is doing just that.

In March of 2019, The Single Fin Mingle celebrated half a decade of success. Living up to its status as the ‘best weekend of the year’ for hundreds of individuals from around the world who travel from far and wide to the small seaside village located in the South Island of New Zealand – Sumner, Christchurch.

Filmed and edited by Jonathan Smit @jonathansmitnz

Killed by plastic pollution: unknown animal washes up on Cornwall beach

Killed by plastic pollution: unknown animal washes up on Cornwall beach

Surfers Against Sewage launches ‘Creature’ film to highlight the scale of destruction to the planet’s sea life being caused by mankind

With 95% of the planet’s oceans unexplored, and scientists knowing more about the face of Mars than the sea floor, the charity wants to highlight the threat of plastic pollution to the many species that are yet to be uncovered, as well as those that are already known to be dying as a result of human  actions.
 
The film, which shows the reactions of people discovering the ‘Creature’ washed up and fighting for its life on a UK beach, has been created to grab the public’s attention and shock them into action.
 
Surfers Against Sewage is calling on people from across the UK to sign its #GenerationSea petition to call on the Prime Minister to introduce legislative change to save the seas, and the creatures that live within them. The petition hopes to see the government take decisive action before it’s too late and establish a powerful independent watchdog to protect the oceans and wider natural environment as part of an ambitious Environment Bill, while enforcing specific targets relating to plastic waste and carbon emissions for government and big business.

 

"Every year new and unique ocean dwelling creatures are being discovered in the depths of the marine world. Meanwhile, humankind is treating our sea as a ‘single-use ocean’ - filling it with plastic, changing it’s chemistry through carbon emissions and stripping it of all natural abundance. We’ve built ‘Creature’ to represent the sea life that people are destroying without even being aware of it. People will only thrive if our ocean thrives." 
- Ben Hewitt, Director of Campaigns and Projects - SAS

“At present, we’re sleep-walking into slaughter – but it’s not too late. With the help of the general public and policy makers, we can ensure our oceans remain a place that our sea life can continue to flourish in. Ignore this warning however and we risk the next generation never knowing many of the species we’ve all grown up with.”
 
Creature’ was written and directed by Tom Tagholm and produced by Park Pictures, an Academy Award-winning production company based in London, New York and Los Angeles. The creature was built full-scale by Anarchy Ltd, augmented and animated by MPC London.

"As a surfer, I wanted to do what I could to help. Park Pictures share a tendency towards political and environmental engagement, so the desire was there to do some work. The idea for Creature came when I was out in the water. I wondered what could be out there in the deep. And what might be suffering before we’ve even had a chance to meet. Over the years I’d watched Surfers Against Sewage tirelessly fight the plastic polluting industry, and just as tirelessly unite human beings who care. This sense of community is ultimately what the film is about; what I wanted to capture. There’s a love there and it’s what SAS is all about - I was very proud to be a part of their world for the days we were down there.”
- Tom Tagholm, Director, Park Pictures

With 95% of the oceans unexplored, public urged to sign petition and put pressure on parliament to save the oceans

SIGN THE PETITION HERE

Mike Doyle, surfing legend, passes away

Mike Doyle, surfing legend, passes away

Mike Doyle has passed way in his sleep aged 78. Doyle was a waterman and inventor being one of the best surfers in the world during the 50’s and 60’s winning a Duke Kahanamoku title and the West Coast Surfboard Championship. He was also a boardmaker, wax and a mono ski believed to be the forerunner of the snowboard. He was a member of the Surfers’ Hall of Fame and Surfing Walk of Fame in Huntington Beach, inducted to both in 2003.

Doyle worked as an apprentice to Velzy and Noll building balsa boards in 1959. Apparently he sold Kathy Kohner, aka “Gidget,” her first surfboard in 1956 and then worked as a stunt double in “Gidget” in 1959.

Doyle used the boogie board material used by his from Tom Morey for the first soft-top board ever made the Morey Doyle in 1970, the same boards that countless beginners use in waves today.

“Probably no man alive has gone on more surf adventures than I have, yet I still haven’t had enough. If the conditions are right, I’ll walk away from anything to spend a day in the water with my friends.”

Doyle surfboards said

“It’s with a heavy heart that we have to tell everyone the Legendary Waterman, Mike Doyle has passed away. Mike slipped away peacefully in his sleep early this morning at his home on Gringo Hill, with his loving wife, Annie right by his side.

It is a beautiful day here in San Jose, the waves are perfect and we know Mike is in Heaven with a smile on his face, surfing an endless wave. Please know Mike was at peace when he passed and he knew his mom and dad would be there to greet him at heavens gate.”

12 year old Jackson Dorian surfs better than you

12 year old Jackson Dorian surfs better than you

When your dad is Shane Dorian, there's a strong chance you may pick up a few skills, but come on this is mental! Check out young Jackson Dorian as he tears the bejesus out of the Waco wave pool. We salute you Jackson, long may you surf.

45,700 Volunteers Join The Biggest Ever UK Beach Clean

45,700 Volunteers Join The Biggest Ever UK Beach Clean

In total 45,771 volunteers from across the UK joined Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) at community clean events on beaches, rivers and mountains in the week of the 6th – 14thApril.

  • Surfers Against Sewage say the ‘Attenborough effect’ had led to a 22% increase in number of volunteers, up from 35,830 at the same time in 2018.
  • Volunteers removed 70,799.31kg of plastic pollution, the equivalent of 17,700 full bin bags.
  • 752 cleans were organised across the UK including 72 school organised cleans that involved 3,123 pupils and 57 cleans organised by Duke of Edinburgh youth participants.
  • In total 365,756 volunteer hours were donated across the UK to keep our environment clean of plastic pollution.

Locations of cleans:
Furthest North – Ronas Voe Beach, Shetland
Furthest South – Le Braye, Jersey
Furthest East – Lowestoft, East Anglia
Furthest West –Enniskillen Island, Northern Ireland
Most Rural – Arnol, Outer Hebrides
Most Urban – Royal Docks, London

Following on from a winter of storms battering the coastline of the British Isles, most recently Storm Gareth, and the swathes of plastic pollution left in their wake, Surfers Against Sewage’s army of clean volunteers have descended on the beaches, rivers, mountain trails and streets of the UK for the biggest community beach clean in UK history.
 

The week of the 6 – 14 April saw SAS’s biggest ever Big Spring Beach Clean: Summit To Sea take place. From beach fronts to mountain tops, rivers to streets 45,771 people turned out to protect their environment and stop plastic from polluting our oceans. Volunteers removed 70,799.31kg of plastic pollution, the equivalent of 17,700 full bin bags.

“This is the Attenborough effect in action, we are witnessing an incredible community response to plastic pollution on our beaches, rivers and green spaces across the UK. For so many people to have given up their time and joined a clean really shows the current attitude towards environmental protection.”
- Jack Middleton, SAS Community Manager

“Iceland Foods Charitable Foundation and Surfers Against Sewage are passionate about tackling the scourge of plastic pollution head-on and we know that momentum for action is building in communities throughout the UK. We’re very proud to be part of this year’s campaign and have seen tremendous interest and support from Iceland colleagues in all parts of the country. The fact that over 45,000 volunteers have taken part nationwide is very encouraging and a testament to how much this issue matters to our communities.”
- Richard Walker, Trustee of the Iceland Foods Charitable Foundation 

The beach clean series was organised by Surfers Against Sewage and supported by partners; Iceland Foods Charitable Foundation, People’s Postcode Lottery and Hydro Flask alongside Community Partners; British Canoeing, British Canoe Foundation, Surfing England, The Outdoor Swimming Society, The British Mountaineering Council and The Wave Project.