NATION

Paddlers Plan Sunrise Voyage

Theme for World Oceans Day 2017 being ‘Our Oceans, Our Future’ and he day’s conservation action focus is on encouraging solutions to plastic pollution To commemorate World Oceans Day, the
01 Jun 2017 11:00
Paddlers Plan Sunrise Voyage
Methodist Church of Fiji Secretary of Communications Reverend James Bhagwan paddled last Saturday from Daubota Village in Rewa to the National Sailing Centre in Laucala Bay. Photo: Reverend James Bhagwan

Theme for World Oceans Day 2017 being ‘Our Oceans, Our Future’ and he day’s conservation action focus is on encouraging solutions to plastic pollution

To commemorate World Oceans Day, the Viti SUP and Va’a fleet, in partnership with Fiji Yachting, Fiji Outrigger Association and the Uto Ni Yalo Trust will hold a sunrise paddle to celebrate our ocean and call for greater commitment from ordinary Fijians towards healthy oceans.

As possibly the first celebration of World Oceans Day, on June 8 outrigger paddlers will, at 5.45am, paddle from the Maritime Academy, parallel to Queen Elizabeth Drive, to opposite Fiji Revenue and Customs Authority headquarters.

Along the way they will be joined by Stand Up paddlers who will be collecting plastic in the ocean.

At 6am they will come ashore and will clean up the foreshore before a special prayer for the ocean, and for those at the Ocean Conference.

“We are inviting members of the public to join us for the clean-up and devotion from 6 – 6.30am at the beach opposite the FRCA HQ and be among the first people in the world on the day to pay respect to the ocean,” said Fiji Outrigger Vice-President Duane Reiher

With the theme for World Oceans Day 2017 being ‘Our Oceans, Our Future’ and with the day’s conservation action focus: Encouraging solutions to plastic pollution and preventing marine litter for a healthier ocean and a better future, this special event follows in the wake of Viti SUP and Va’a group’s Rewa River paddle late last month in which over 70 paddlers covered 23 kilometres down the Rewa River and across Laucala Bay, collecting approximately half a tonne of mainly plastic rubbish.

Viti SUP and Va’a is a community of outrigger canoe and Stand-Up Paddling enthusiasts in Suva, Deuba, Nadi and Lautoka committed to promoting healthy living through non-motorised water sports and also to raise awareness on the need to care for our oceans.

The next river to ocean clean up paddle will be from Navua River to Deuba on June 24.

The River to Ocean Paddle Series is supported by Bank of South Pacific’s Go Green Initiative, The Yacht Shop, BIC Sports, SPREP, PFD (Fiji) Ltd, Uprising Beach Resort, Bluewater Craft, Leylands and Goodman Fielder and the Hot Bread Kitchen.

 Source: Viti SUP and Va’a

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