PORT ELIZABETH, SOUTH AFRICA (Tuesday, June 11, 2019) – Following the World Surf League’s (WSL) announcement of a series of sustainability commitments, members of the ocean community are invited to make the PURE pledge to “Stop Trashing Waves” and join a worldwide paddle out on June 15 in honour of International Surfing Day, founded by the Surfrider Foundation.
South Africa will have its own WSL PURE Global Paddle Out, taking place during the Volkswagen SA Open of Surfing pres. by Hurley at Pollock Beach, Port Elizabeth. The 6th stop on the WSL Africa tour and the second last City Surf Series (CSS) event features a Women’s Qualifying Series (QS) 3000, Men’s QS 1000 and Junior Men and Women’s QS 1000 rated event.
Alongside the world-class surfing action, the CSS events also embrace sustainability and transformation programs such as the Surfing South Africa Learn To Surf outreach project in collaboration with Caltex EC, National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) and Ocean Pledge.
Ocean Pledge will assist in creating ‘Blue Events,' while the NSRI will be educating members of the public, competitors, local schools and surf outreach programs about ocean safety and ocean awareness.
All competitors, fellow surfers and locals are encouraged to grab a board, paddle out and show their commitment to protecting the ocean by making the PURE pledge to #StopTrashingWaves.
WSL PURE Global Paddle Out: Volkswagen SA Open of Surfing pres. by Hurley
Saturday, 15 June 2019
15:30 – 16:30
Pipe, Pollock Beach, Port Elizabeth
For those in Cape Town, join the Surf4Trash organisation or the Surf Emporium for their #StopTrashingWaves paddle outs and beach clean-ups:
Surf4Trash Paddle-Out and Beach Clean-Up
Saturday, 15 June 2019
08:30 – 12:00
Doodles Beachfront, Tableview, Cape Town
OR
Surf Emporium Paddle-Out & Beach Cleanup
Saturday, 15 June 2019
Meet 09:15 for 09:30 paddle-out
Surfers’ Corner, Muizenberg, Cape Town
If you are unable to attend a paddle out, you are encouraged to host your own with your friends, family and local community. More information about the WSL commitments and tips for the general public, as well as details and locations for paddle outs, can be found at WSLPURE.org.
Share your #StopTrashingWaves pledge, photos and videos on social media and tag @wsl and @wslpure. Email photos and videos to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for a chance to be featured on the WSL channels.
About the #StopTrashingWaves Pledge
The WSL wants to inspire everyone to take a pledge to Stop Trashing Waves. The WSL is backing up the pledge with new initiatives centered around reducing our carbon footprint, refusing single-serve plastics, and leaving every coastline better than it was found.
To make incredible waves of impact, the WSL is asking everyone to make their own commitment and pledge to #stoptrashingwaves.
No action is too small. Small changes collectively can make big waves to protect our ocean and planet.
Learn more and make the pledge at wslpure.org
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD #StopTrashingWaves toolkit: https://www.worldsurfleague.com/asset/24942/STW_Media_Toolkit.pdf
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD #STOPTRASHING WAVES CAMPAIGN ASSETS: https://wdrv.it/60e7accb6
About WSL PURE
PURE stands for Protecting, Understanding, and Respecting the Environment, and is the non-profit arm of the WSL. Founded in 2016, WSL PURE is on a mission to inspire, educate, and empower ocean protection, starting with the global surf community. WSL PURE is specifically focused on the climate crisis, plastic pollution, and coastal ruin.
PURE leverages the WSL’s incredible platform to shine a light on the people making a difference -- environmentalists, athletes, advocacy organizations, communities, individuals -- and collaborates with world-class, non-profit partners including: Bye Bye Plastic Bags, Lonely Whale, Bloomberg Philanthropies, NRDC, North Shore Community Land Trust, Surfrider Foundation, Surfrider Foundation Europe, Take 3 For The Sea, Save The Waves Coalition, Surfers Against Sewage, Sustainable Coastlines HI, Kokua Hawaii Foundation, Santa Barbara Channel Keeper, 5 Gyres Institute and The Center for Climate and Life at Columbia University’s Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory.
For more information, please visit wslpure.org
