09.10.13
Surfrider Summons Beach-Lovers to 22nd Annual Paddle for Clean Water Around Ocean Beach Pier
By SFSDAdministratorFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE 09/10/13
Contact: Haley Haggerstone
Chapter Coordinator, Surfrider Foundation San Diego County Chapter
E-Mail: haley@surfridersd.org
Phone: (619) 929-5350
http://surfridersd.org/
Surfrider Summons Beach-Lovers to 22nd Annual Paddle for Clean Water Around Ocean Beach Pier
SAN DIEGO – The Surfrider Foundation San Diego County Chapter’s biggest awareness event of the year is back, calling upon ocean enthusiasts of all ages to hit the beach! The Annual Paddle for Clean Water marks its 22nd year and will take place on September 22nd, 2013 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Ocean Beach Pier.
The Paddle is an non-competitive event demonstrating San Diego’s support for pollution-free beaches and waterways. Participants are encouraged to bring a surfboard, kayak, body board or other human-powered craft to paddle around Southern California’s longest pier in a mass display of solidarity for the protection of our precious coastline.
This year’s Paddle will be focused on the chapter’s Rise Above Plastics campaign, which aims to reduce the impacts of plastics in the marine environment by raising awareness about the dangers of plastic pollution and by advocating for recycling and a reduction of single-use plastics.
Chapter Chair, Roger Kube states, “As one of the leading organizations in San Diego County protecting our coastline, we see first-hand how plastic pollution wreaks havoc on our waterways and marine environment. This year's theme of the Paddle For Clean Water aims to raise awareness about this issue and how we as a community can come together to find solutions for the problem.”
The morning’s festivities offer something for everyone -- even if you are not participating in the paddle itself. A donation-based yoga class will start the day at 8:30 a.m. on the beach, followed by a free light breakfast for all paddlers at 9 a.m. and the paddle will commence at 10 a.m. After the paddle, there will be a group photo, guest speakers including City of San Diego Councilmember, Sherri Lightner and Rise Above Plastics Campaign Manager, Bill Hickman. The event will also feature live music from local reggae band Ottly Mercer and will be emceed by the UT’s Chris Cantore.
“This event is a favorite amongst our volunteers and supporters. Even if you don’t plan on paddling, we’ll have something for you. Come out and listen to some reggae music, hear from our guest speakers on local plastic legislation, turn an old t-shirt into a reusable bag and cheer on the paddlers from the pier,” says Chapter Coordinator, Haley Haggerstone.
The 2013 Paddle for Clean Water is brought to you by local, ocean-minded businesses 91X, Cali Bamboo, Clif Bar, Indie Yoga, Ocean Minded, Soulr Surfboards and the Lazy Hummingbird. All participants are invited to a post-Paddle after party at Wonderland -- Ocean Beach’s newest surfside bar and restaurant.
New this year, paddlers are able to help raise their own funds to support clean water initiatives in San Diego County. Visit stayclassy.org/paddle to start your fundraising page and encourage friends and family to donate.
For more information on the Surfrider Foundation San Diego County Chapter’s Annual Paddle for Clean Water, visit https://sandiego.surfrider.org/events/pcw or contact Chapter Coordinator, Haley Haggerstone at haley@surfridersd.org or (619) 929-5350. For more on the Surfrider Foundation’s San Diego County Chapter visit http://surfridersd.org/.
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