More Than a Sport: Protecting the Waters I Sail On

Blog submitted by Rooster Rider Amelie Ballantyne, Devon UK

As a keen dinghy sailor, there is nothing I like better than getting in my (Rooster) wetsuit and jumping on my boat- it’s the best feeling in the world! However, over the past year, I have started to realise the effects that humans are having on the waters we use and the oceans in general. The statistics around pollution, climate change and habitat destruction are quite shocking, and unfortunately, the evidence of these statistics can be seen rather close to home sometimes- I often see dead wildlife/sea creatures, plastic pollution and sewage where I sail, and it’s not pleasant. As someone who loves using the water, this concerned me, and I wanted to help bring about change. However, I am only a 15-year-old dinghy sailor from Devon, so what can I possibly do to change this global environmental problem? So, to start with, I did my research and created a list of the simple things I could promote at my club (Starcross Yacht Club). Then, earlier this year, I became a Clean Sailors Ambassador and joined a community of international sailors who all want to raise awareness of ocean conversation and sustainable practices in the marine industry. I also joined the US SailGP Climate Action Academy that links students with A-list sustainable experts to learn about global matters. Using social media has been a great platform, and I have organised old sails and wetsuit collections, as well as helping to raise awareness about key issues. Thank you, ITCA Topper community, for your kind sail and wetsuit donations at NS5 Paignton.

Who are Clean Sailors and what do they do?

Clean Sailors is a non-profit organisation that strives to promote awareness around ocean conservation, amongst other things. Set up in 2020 by Holly Manvell, Clean Sailors share stories, research and campaign for environmental change in the marine industry. One of their big areas of focus is demonstrating what to do with old sails. Currently approx. 97% of sails end up in landfills each year, which is approximately. 2000 tons. This is a shocking statistic! Clean Sailors help direct people to local/global businesses that will take your old sails for recycling and repurposing to keep them out of landfills. Many innovative things can be done with old sails, from clothing and accessories, community shelters for schools and villages, to deckchair covers for the beach; creating a better great circular economy.

What can sailors do to help?

As sailors, most of us love the seas and rivers we use and would hate to think we are adding to a large-scale environmental problem, but unfortunately, the reality is that there are things that sailors do that have an impact on the environment around them. When it comes to change, even the small steps can make a difference if we ALL start to do them and work together. Think of the times you may have lost a sweet wrapper while doing a race or dropped your sunnies overboard never to be seen again, or that times you used electrical tape and a bit it’s blown away. Well, if every sailor did this, even by accident, the environmental impact would begin to be a big problem for waterways and communities that use them.

Here are my top six very easy tips for being a more environmentally conscious sailor:

1. The obvious one – use a reusable drinking bottle and not a single-use plastic bottle. Rooster sells great bottles, and most venues have refill facilities – easy!
2. Recycle your old kit: Don’t dump sails and wetsuits, and buy second-hand where and when you can.
3. Save water. After a sail, you don’t need to shower for hours, have a water fight or spend eternity washing your boat – turn taps off!
4. Use eco-friendly products. There are great boat cleaning products out there, as well as countless products for your body.
5. Take your rubbish home – use the correct bins – maybe have a snack that is not in a fiddly wrapper -Rule 55 guys! The disposable of trash
6. …use a sunglasses strap/retainer to keep your sunnies on your eyes and not on bottom of the seabed.

I am very proud to be a Clean Sailors Ambassador and to be involved in helping with sustainability and change for our future and the longevity of water sports. In my opinion, educating people about the need to be sustainable and the impact each one of us has while doing the sport we love is important; creating new habits and making changes that benefit our whole environment. We all have a role to play; we all live here. It is great to see that even our top sailors in SailGP are getting on board with becoming clean, green sailors and leading the way with sustainability. I am also very proud to be a Rooster Rider, as Rooster is committed to ethical and sustainable business practices, which is important to me.