The City of Plymouth today hosted the start of the inaugural Blue Mile – Race for the Environment as thousands people came down to the historical Barbican to witness the first ever Blue Mile. The event, designed to engage people actively with our blue environment saw hundreds of people take to the water to swim, paddle and walk a mile and raise vital funds for WWF-UK.
Seven year old Charlie Hyland set the pace with a 1 mile swim in Plymouth’s Lido and fellow junior swimmer, Matthew Rose posted and astonishing time of 18m minutes to cover the 32 length course. Down on the main Blue Mile Course, the first swim wave got away at 0900, with the conditions ideal for Plymouth’s first mass-participation open water swim.
Plymouth, a City by the Sea really came alive today, with colour, passion and excitement as all ages took on the tough 1 mile challenge. The remarkable course which started from the Mayflower Steps, shined a warm glow on the City’s waterfront, perhaps proving the point that people are extremely positive about the City, despite its tired and crumbling infrastructure.
Conrad Humphreys “Today was I hope the beginning of a new opportunity to bring life back to the waterfront. Whilst it will take time for the economic regeneration of the area to be completed, perhaps the first steps to change the culture of this badly run down area of the City have been laid today. We hoped to create and event that would be a beacon to the country and show case not only our City but also the vital part our marine and coastal environment plays to it economy, I think everyone involved today to make this event happen should be really proud of its beginning.”
Divers will take to the sea off Plymouth for an underwater litter pick ahead of the Blue Mile swim, paddle and sail this coming weekend.
Members of the Plymouth Sound British Sub Aqua Club expect to find litter including shopping trolleys, old flip-flops and bottles. Their unsavoury haul will go on display as part of a campaign to urge people to look after the marine environment.
The event will take place on Friday 02nd July ahead of the Blue Mile weekend, which will see hundreds take to the water to tackle the course by swimming, paddle-boarding or kayaking on July 2 and 3. The team will carry out a reconnaissance of the area on Wednesday, June 30.
Club chairman John Parlour said members always tried to highlight the environmental impact humans can cause under the waves. He said: “A lot of the bits and pieces we expect to find can cause damage by trapping fish and sea birds.”
The club has also been involved in clearing broken or illegally set fishing nets, which can continue to catch and kill fish and birds. But Mr Parlour said the exercise was designed to raise awareness, not to clear the area ahead of the event. He said: “I don’t think any of these items would cause any problems for swimmers. This is about encouraging people to take more responsibility, and to think about their actions.”
But Mr Parlour said overall, the area had got much better. He said: “Things still get dropped in to the Sound, but over the last 10 years, the water quality has massively improved because of the sewage treatment works that have taken place, and projects.
“I can think of a number of incidents over the past few years where we have seen pods of dolphins in the Sound, and that’s something we hadn’t seen for a long time. Now, people will even eat shellfish caught in that area, whereas in the past, they might not have been so keen.”
Triple round-the-world sailor Conrad Humphreys, who is organising The Blue Mile, hopes the display of the litter they find will make people think twice before discarding rubbish into the sea.
“It’s quite thought-provoking to help people understand the shores and the marine environment, and to know that a lot of this stuff doesn’t just disappear when it’s thrown into the water.”
British Duo successfully complete The BLUE Bath2London paddle across the UK for World Oceans Day
British Adventurers Dave Cornthwaite and Sarah Outen have successfully completed their Blue Bath2London challenge, becoming the first to Stand Up Paddle (SUP) between Bath and London. They completed their journey across England arriving at Tower Bridge today, 8th June, to coincide with World Oceans Day.
The duo who between them have set world records by rowing or paddling across oceans and continents, paired up for the week-long endurance challenge, Stand Up Paddling the 150 mile long route navigating 114 locks on the way.
Cornthwaite, who once skateboarded across Australia and also paddled the length of The Murray River, Australia’s longest river, and Outen, who rowed solo across the Indian Ocean last year, measured their trip in Blue Miles, which are miles travelled on or beside the water. The dynamic duo are both Ambassadors of The Blue Mile – Race for the Environment, the UK’s newest mass-participation event which encourages participants to swim, paddle or walk for our seas. They were planning for 100’s of paddlers to join them for sections of the trip aiming to amass a total of 1000 Blue Miles before they reached their finish line at Tower Bridge.
Speaking from London at the end of the challenge, Cornthwaite said “Between us, Sarah and I have crossed oceans and travelled along some of the world’s longest rivers, so to experience a Blue environment much closer to home and to share that with so many other paddlers, cyclists and walkers has been a privilege. Wherever we are our seas, lakes and rivers are all interconnected, and after 150 miles to arrive at Tower Bridge on World Ocean’s Day is the icing on the cake.”
Outen added “My favourite bits of the planet are the blue bits – the oceans, the rivers, the lakes – so it is great to be ending our journey on World Ocean’s day. We are a maritime nation with thousands of miles of coastline here and overseas territories, so for us to land in London today is a little reminder to Westminster that we need to protect the wonderful wildlife and qualities of our shores and seas right around the world. Water and life are so intrinsically connected that now, more than ever, we need to protect it and all the services and habitat it provides and the wildlife living there.
Our journey has shown how important water is to people – for food, for transport, for enjoyment, for fitness, for homes – it has been wonderful to see this and to be able to encourage more folks out onto the water with us to clock up some blue miles. ”
The Blue Bath 2 London is being supported by Sport Environment and promotes the Blue Climate and Oceans Project, an initiative that works with sports men and women to harnesses the popularity of adventure sports that showcase the natural environment.
Other supporting sponsors include Spaceships Campervans, Starboard, Africa & Asia Venture, Palm Equipment Europe, Cotswold Outdoor, Nakd Wholefoods and the Family Adventure Store.
British Adventurers Dave Cornthwaite and Sarah Outen aim to be the first to Stand Up Paddle (SUP) between Bath and London. The pair, who between them have rowed and paddled across both oceans and continents, are to team up for the first time, to endure a week of Stand Up Paddling across the UK from Bath to London. They are aiming to arrive into London’s Tower Bridge on the 8th June to celebrate World Oceans Day.
Cornthwaite, who once skateboarded across Australia and also paddled the country’s longest river, and Outen, who rowed solo across the Indian Ocean last year, are measuring their trip in Blue Miles, which are miles travelled on or besides the water. The dynamic duo are both Ambassadors of The Blue Mile – Race for the Environment, the UK’s newest mass-participation event which encourages participants to swim, paddle or walk for our seas. They are planning for 100’s of paddlers to join them for sections of the trip aiming to amass a total of 1000 Blue Miles before they reach their finish line at Tower Bridge.
“Fusing sport and travel is a great way to enthuse people about the Blue environment in which they play and train,” Cornthwaite says, “there’s no better way to celebrate the spirit of British Adventure than travelling through our own country with an ever-growing group of strangers joining our ranks.”
“SUP is similar to surfing, but it’s much easier as you use a paddle to get around – a bit like punting,” said Sarah. “I love anything that allows me to travel on water and get close to nature. As a sport it is great because it is so accessible and versatile – it can be done virtually anywhere by anyone, plus it’s a great way to keep fit.”
The 150 mile route isn’t just a straightforward paddle, as 114 locks – or portages – lie between Bath and London. Effectively, Cornthwaite and Outen are taking on the route of the famous Devizes to Westminster Canoe Race, with another 25 miles on top.
The Blue Bath 2 London is being supported by Sport Environment and will promote the Blue Climate and Oceans Project, an initiative that works with sports men and women to harnesses the popularity of adventure sports that showcase the natural environment.
Other supporting sponsors include Spaceships Campervans, Starboard, Africa & Asia Venture, Palm Equipment Europe, Cotswold Outdoor, Nakd Wholefoods and the Family Adventure Store.
A “PERFECT partnership” involving the National Marine Aquarium will create a mile-long coastal walk to help raise awareness of the marine environment. Read on…
As part of the ethos of the Blue Mile, we are looking for organisations that like to do well by doing good. The Corporate Blue Mile is designed to deliver a fantastic team building experience for your employees and a chance to work with your chosen charity and support them by raising funds. We have put together a simple kit that offers your company and charity some great exposure in the event and a chance to reach thousands of people.
We are looking for organisations that are up for a challenge to swim, kayak or paddle the Blue Mile and raise some serious cash for charity. The first 10 companies to sign up to the Blue Mile Corporate Challenge 2010, will also feature in our Western Morning News advert, that will run during the Event weekend.
Don’t miss out, we have a limited supply of Kayaks and Paddleboards, so book early to avoid disappointment.
10.02.10 HUNDREDS of children will benefit from a multi-faceted event in Plymouth Sound, which will help “rekindle the spirit of discovery”, as well as boosting tourism.
The Blue Mile will see participants swim, paddle or sail around a mile-long course, helping to promote physical exercise in schools, which will be encouraged to get involved.
John Searson, principle adviser in children’s achievements to Plymouth City Council, said it would also help youngsters discover the rich history associated with the area, as well as the marine life and the pressures it faces.
Glenn Jordan, Plymouth City Council’s Cabinet member for leisure, culture and sport, hopes it could eventually grow to equal the Transat race, which brought millions of pounds of revenue into the area.
Mr Searson said the council would encourage schools to get involved with the “brilliant” event, which will run on the weekend of July 3 and 4……
09.02.10 Marine conservation does not just apply to headline grabbers such as sharks and dolphins, but the multi-coloured underwater communities which live within metres of Plymouth’s bustling Barbican. As part of a the week-long Blue Mile series, Louise Vennells discovered the surprising array of life beneath the waves
PLYMOUTH Sound is deceptive. Gazing down from The Hoe, the ever-present circling seagulls are often the only sign of non-human life.
Yet beneath the blue-grey surface, the waters are teeming with a wide array of weird and wonderful species – although experts fear they may not be around forever.
The multiple pressures facing the seas are jeopardising habitats which keep some of the most fragile marine beings alive. Headlines often circulate around warmer waters, where exotic creatures such as sharks are under threat. But, right at the end of our own piers, delicate coral, fish and habitats create a fascinating submerged world which is facing its own apocalypse.
This summer, hundreds of people will swim, paddle, sail, or even walk their way around Plymouth Sound as part of the Blue Mile, on July 3 and 4, which carries a valuable message about climate change. One of its aims will be to reconnect people to their local waters, and to help them discover the delights of what lies beneath the surface.
A range of events to entertain spectators on the shore will highlight the biodiversity of the Sound and beyond. Paul Cox, head of science and learning at Plymouth’s National Marine Aquarium, is part of a team which will include Plymouth University, who will help devise the environment camp to go alongside the event. It will also host the Blue Walk, which will incorporate a stroll with a visit to the aquarium.
The City of Plymouth today hosted the start of the inaugural Blue Mile – Race for the Environment as thousands people came down to the historical Barbican to witness the first ever Blue Mile. The event, designed to engage people actively with our blue environment saw hundreds of people take to the water to swim, paddle and walk a mile and raise vital funds for WWF-UK.
Members of the Plymouth Sound British Sub Aqua Club expect to find litter including shopping trolleys, old flip-flops and bottles. Their unsavoury haul will go on display as part of a campaign to urge people to look after the marine environment.
British Duo successfully complete The BLUE Bath2London paddle across the UK for World Oceans Day
Outen added “My favourite bits of the planet are the blue bits – the oceans, the rivers, the lakes – so it is great to be ending our journey on World Ocean’s day. We are a maritime nation with thousands of miles of coastline here and overseas territories, so for us to land in London today is a little reminder to Westminster that we need to protect the wonderful wildlife and qualities of our shores and seas right around the world. Water and life are so intrinsically connected that now, more than ever, we need to protect it and all the services and habitat it provides and the wildlife living there.
British Adventurers Dave Cornthwaite and Sarah Outen aim to be the first to Stand Up Paddle (SUP) between Bath and London. The pair, who between them have rowed and paddled across both oceans and continents, are to team up for the first time, to endure a week of Stand Up Paddling across the UK from Bath to London. They are aiming to arrive into London’s Tower Bridge on the 8th June to celebrate World Oceans Day.
10.02.10 HUNDREDS of children will benefit from a multi-faceted event in Plymouth Sound, which will help “rekindle the spirit of discovery”, as well as boosting tourism.
09.02.10 Marine conservation does not just apply to headline grabbers such as sharks and dolphins, but the multi-coloured underwater communities which live within metres of Plymouth’s bustling Barbican. As part of a the week-long Blue Mile series, Louise Vennells discovered the surprising array of life beneath the waves
