On the 30th June Surf Canaries hosted the "Arguineguín Beach Clean and Reduce Single Use Plastics" day. This year’s 10th edition of the Beach Clean was in collaboration with the Surfrider Foundation , Initiativas Oceanas, Oceans4Life Gran Canaria, Tipsy Hammock cocktail bar & restaurant, Mogan and San Bartolome de Tirajana town councils, and various small local businesses.

In a wave of support and increasing awareness of the plight of our planet at the hands of climate change and plastic pollution, two major forces joined our event and helped propel it to new heights.

Those two forces were Oceans 4 Life and Tipsy Hammock.

With Oceans 4 Life providing its strong and motivated volunteer base, its materials and beach clean know-how and coordination, and Tipsy providing their Midas touch when it comes to creating a good time and good food wherever they are, our 10-year anniversary beach clean went off with a bang.

From the very start of the planning process (and yes, this has been a few months in the making) it was obvious that this issue is very close to their heart. As their slogan states - Tipsy Hammock is not just a bar, they are Tipsy Hammock! And this was demonstrated at the event as they rocked up early, plugged in and boom! Instant party. And not just that, delicious and well-prepared food, even live music. It is beyond any shadow of a doubt that these guys are untouchable in their field and the best bar in the south.

Oceans 4 Life arrived on the scene and no sooner than that, the click click sound of the litter pickers filled the air. These volunteers clean beaches all the time (as part of an organised event or solo) and their enthusiasm and dedication is infectious.

This is our second collaboration with them and they have been hugely active organising many beach cleans around the island, winning awards for their contribution to the environment, developing and introducing merchandise aimed at reducing single use plastic, and even breaking a world record along the way!

At every event we seem to get a surprise star. This year it was Bard, who with less than 24hrs notice, showed up with his son Adrian and what looked like a Hollywood movie set of cameras and drones! His footage was sensational, really gold-sealing what was a fantastic event. The photo that he took of us during the surfer´s paddle out from the drone can only be described as iconic.

And finally, the volunteers. Those that came from far and wide and gave up their day off. They are the reason why we are so proud of our event. They are the reason why we can have hope that we can do something against this dire situation that we find ourselves in.

Between now and the 11th beach clean there is plenty of work to do in reducing plastic waste and energy consumption but there is dialogue already towards a couple of projects… we will keep you posted!

Until then, and where you can, please reduce your energy and plastic consumption by making well informed consumer decisions. At the end of the day, the industry responds to our demands and if we demand more responsible products, they will produce them.

Until next time, Team Surf Canaries 

Photo Credits: Bård Ove Myhr

Video Credit: Samir Orel

Filmed by: Bård Ove Myhr

Video Edit: Adam Blues/Oceans For Life

Song Credit: Bob Marley

Sung By: Joe

Just on the seaward side of the football stadium, Arguineguin