Saturday Paddle Out Protest

Campaigners in Plymouth are set to join a nationwide day of action demanding an end to sewage pollution in the UK’s rivers and seas.

A Paddle Out Protest organised by Surfers Against Sewage will take place at Tinside Lido on Saturday (May 16) bringing together swimmers, paddleboarders, surfers and sea users in protest against water pollution.

The event forms part of what the charity says will be its “biggest and most impactful” national Paddle Out Protest yet, with demonstrations planned at beaches, rivers and coastlines across the country. 

People are expected to gather around the historic Art Deco lido on the Hoe from 8am before entering the water or protesting from the shoreline. Organisers say the event is open to everyone, whether they choose to paddle out, swim, or simply show support from the waterfront.

Surfers Against Sewage says the protests are aimed at highlighting continued sewage discharges into UK waterways and increasing public anger over pollution incidents. The group is calling on the Government, regulators and water companies to take stronger action to tackle the issue. 

The charity said communities across the UK are “sick of the lies, sick of the greed and sick of a system that’s rigged against us” as it campaigns for cleaner waterways. 

More information about the national campaign can be found on the Surfers Against Sewage website.