Canadian competitors clean beaches

Apr 11, 2019

At the end of last month, Canadian sailors gathered on the Palma Beach in Palma de Mallorca, Spain where they were competing in an important European regatta, to complete an hour-long beach clean-up.

The Canadian Sailors Clean Water Initiative, developed by Hugh Macrae, Canadian Team Laser sailor from Kingston, ON, has been designed to protect the waters we sail on, by reducing the amount of plastic waste within them.

Sail Canada’s National Performance Coach, Ken Dool notes “The environment and specifically the water is every sailor’s responsibility to protect. The beach cleanup effort in Palma by a contingent of Canadian sailors is doing our part to help preserve the environment.”

These sailors are taking matters into their own hands to start making a difference, and inspiring people across the world to do the same. Hugh comments, “It’s really important that we all have a biosphere conscience. It comes down to being able to enjoy oceans and lakes and ensuring they are maintained. Cleaning up materials that don’t biodegrade is a small task that has an immediate effect while also spreading awareness of maintaining our oceans and lakes.”

Hugh Macrae of Kingston

The beach clean-up in Palma is only the start, as this initiative will gather Canadian sailors for an hour as they travel to various locations to train and compete, making a positive environmental change one day at a time. “On the international sailing circuit, we train and compete in some of the most outstanding locations in the world.” Ken comments, “chipping in and collecting waste from the beaches and the water helps keep these venues vibrant, in the ongoing battle to reduce plastic waste in our waterways.”