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Standing Up for Planet Earth

Standing Up for Planet Earth

June 29, 2015938Views

standup paddle boardYou slide your board into the cool, clear water for a nice, relaxing paddle. You just want to leave your cares in your wake and enjoy the scenery, maybe work on your balance skills or turns. Then you see it. Trash, bobbing along beside you in the water. But what do you do about it? If you want to preserve the waterways you enjoy, there are a few things you can do every time you step on your board, or out your front door.

The simplest thing to do is to police yourself. Make it a regular habit to make sure your own garbage gets in a garbage can, wherever you may be. Most people who are drawn to spend time in the outdoors probably already do this. Who wants to leave their favorite park or walking path a mess for others? Unfortunately, not everyone has this same level of respect for the planet, so we must police them as well.

Many standup paddle board enthusiasts bring a small trash bag with them on their board. As they glide along, they pick up whatever bits of trash they encounter and can safely collect. Bottles, cans, pretty much anything that floats – you can just scoop it up, store it in your bag, and then dispose of it properly when you get back to land. There are also many organized cleanup events that SUP lovers can join, sponsored by local SUP groups or conservation clubs.

standup paddle boardWinner of the 2014 Green Paddle Award for Water Conservation, the Paddle Without Pollution project is one such organization. Since 2011, the Pennsylvania based PWP “water warriors” have removed more than 33 tons of trash and illegally dumped garbage from their local waters. Many states and communities hold collection events, where paddle boarders can help remove tires and other junk from jamming up the lakes and rivers. The garbage is taken away for proper disposal and you can know that you contributed to making your local waterway a cleaner place for everyone to enjoy. Check with your local SUP group to see if a cleanup event is scheduled, or start one yourself! It only takes one person to take that first step towards a cleaner planet.

Images via samsaundersleeds, surfitusa