SAS Introduces ‘The Floater’: A Surfboard Made from Raw Sewage  

Ahead of the UK’s first ever mass paddle-out water pollution protest on 20 May. 

Surfers Against Sewage is staging a mass paddle-out protest against sewage pollution, with more than a dozen events to be held at beaches and rivers across the UK on Saturday 20th May. We’d advise you to grab your surfboards, paddles, rafts, and earplugs. It’s time to send a message to the profiteering water companies who are polluting our rivers and seas. The link here shows a map of the nearest protest near you and how to get involved.

To mark the protests, SAS has worked with Cornwall-based product designer Niall Jones to develop ‘the Floater’, a surfboard made using raw sewage.

The board was developed using recycled materials, creating no further waste. Jones collected raw sewage from the sea and turned it into resin that soaked into the board. He included two transparent windows in the deck that displays the two litres of sewage water.

The creative agency Mr President has created a video highlighting the extent of the sewage scandal in the UK. It features interviews with and footage of Ben Skinner, 11x European Longboard Champion, and other surfers riding the waves on the Floater.

Last year water companies paid out a combined £1 billion to their shareholders while dumping sewage into UK waterways almost 400,000 times. SAS also found evidence of 143 ‘dry spills’ – sewage overflows that occurred when there had been no rain for two days – indicating potentially illegal activity by water companies. The charity is calling for an end to sewage discharges into UK bathing waters and a 90% reduction in sewage discharges by 2030.

“It’s time to put an end to this shameless profiteering,” said Josh Harris, Head of Communications at Surfers Against Sewage. “Water companies should not be allowed to profit from pollution, and our data shows that the public agrees with a huge majority calling for an end to industry fat cats pocketing bonuses whilst failing to meet minimum environmental standards.”

If you feel passionate about protecting our blue spaces, join one of the protests on 20 May. Water companies are wreaking havoc on our precious rivers and seas, and this is the perfect way to make your voice heard. SAS is also urging the public to sign their ‘Dirty Money’ petition, which demands an end to water companies profiting from pollution.