Kicking off at 8am sharp paddlers will do a 10km paddle to the lighthouse and back being led by Global Paddle for the Planet Ambassador, Dawid Mocke. Mocke, who is the current Surfski World Series Champion and title holder for the past four successive years, will be accompanied by his wife Nikki (current SA Women's Surfski titleholder) and other like-minded watermen that want to make a difference.
The international relay runs with simultaneous paddling events starting sequentially, at the same time, in the participating countries around the world thereby creating a global relay. Last year more than R50,000 (US$7000) was raised by the paddlers in their fight to fund marine conservation in 18 participating countries that included Abu Dhabi, Australia, Canary Islands, China, Dubai, Hawaii, Hungary, Indonesia, Japan, Malta, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Trinidad and Tobago and USA.. The money raised through this initiative went towards purchasing boats and equipment in the Daram Marine Reserve, Indonesia.
"I am passionate about the ocean, but more so about conserving it. It feels great to be a part of an initiative that can make a small difference. Our goal for 2013 is to have 2000 paddlers in the water, in 24 countries, representing every time zone. Often, when faced with the magnitude of environmental issues, a person is left feeling as if there's nothing that can be done. This event creates an opportunity to make a difference and allows paddlers to come out and be part of making a change," says Mocke.
Mocke is laying the gauntlet down to those on the coast and inland.
"What are you doing to making a difference in your environment? This is not just about the well being of our oceans; our rivers and lakes and the wellbeing of earth are all intricately linked. So wherever you are paddle - paddle a river, dam or lake."
Even if you aren't a paddler, you can still donate - go to www.paddlefortheplanet.org for more info, or contact Dawid Mocke on +27 (0)84 251 5555. Stickers will be on sale on the day at a cost of R10 each; other cash donations ae welcome.
