Hundreds of people took part in WWF’s Blue Mile to raise awareness and funds to help preserve our marine and freshwater environments. The event, which was officially sponsored by Ecover, saw hundreds of people swim, kayak or stand-up paddle board one mile around Stoke Newington West Reservoir in London – and at other events across the country.
WWF’s CEO David Nussbaum, joined Ecover’s CEO Philip Malmberg to paddle and swim around the one mile course. Celebrities including BBC presenter Paul Rose, three-times round-the-world sailor Conrad Humphreys and organic entrepreneur Jo Wood, with her son Tyrone also took part in the event.
Paul Rose, adventurer and presenter of ‘Oceans’ and ‘Britain’s Secret Seas’ for the BBC, swam his Blue Mile, and said:
“The oceans are the least understood ecosystem on the planet, and one of our most precious. They deserve our respect and protection. I’ve been diving in our waters since 1969 and I have seen first-hand that some areas have significantly less marine life than they used to. It’s not all doom and gloom though. WWF’s Blue Mile is a fantastic way of getting people to engage with our marine and freshwater habitats and a fun way to help protect these vital environments.”
Organic entrepreneur Jo Wood, who also took part in BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing, completed her Blue Mile in a kayak, and said:
“Our beautiful blue planet is being threatened. Marine and freshwater habitats are being challenged every day by the serious issues of pollution and climate change. WWF’s Blue Mile is the perfect opportunity for us to take on a challenge ourselves and enjoy our seas, rivers, lakes and waterways, while doing something pretty unique to help preserve them.”
WWF CEO David Nussbaum, who kayaked his Blue Mile, said:
“We’d like to thank everyone who took part in the event, or came along to show their support. It was a huge success.”The UK is home to an amazing array of marine and freshwater species, but just 2% of British waters are currently under official protection. WWF believes we can all do more to help protect our fragile water habitats, and the Blue Mile is an excellent place to start.”
Conrad Humphreys, the creator of the Blue Mile – who swam, kayaked and paddle-boarded his way around the reservoir on Sunday – said:
“Sport is intimately connected to nature, and for some athletes it’s the relationship with the environment that inspires and motivates us. As Jacques Cousteau once said, “People protect what they love” – and it’s a love for the environment that we need to engender throughout our communities. The challenge is to move people beyond awareness and find the mechanisms to involve more people with our blue environment. WWF’s Blue Mile is one way to connect people and their emotions with water.”
Ryan James, triathlete and British Long distance SUP Champion said:
“I really enjoyed the WWF Blue Mile and I hope it grows every year, it’s really good to mix the swimming with the stand-up paddle boarding and the kayaking, it gets people on the water and that’s what it all about”.
