Cleaning beaches locally is incredibly rewarding because you see an instant impact on the spaces and environment you use and choose to spend time.
These local spots also help you to see the changes, rise and fall in litter and debris on your beaches. You see first hand how much rubbish comes in on a tide or after a storm or is literally dumped by people on a hot summer day when the sun goes in and they go home, not always taking their rubbish with them.
We at The Scuba News UK have always been heavily supported by Wightlink Ferries to travel to and from the island to beach clean various stretches of coast. There are some exceptional beaches on the island and local folk really do have a passion to protect them. It is not uncommon for us to clean and bump into individuals doing exactly the same by themselves whilst walking their dogs or stopping for a coffee armed with litter pickers and collection bags.
The windy and wet weather on this past occasion didn’t stop anyone from popping out to pick up bits and bobs from the beach including Portsmouth local Tina Pitman and Londoner Sam Stimpson. Roaming about on the Freshwater side of the island this time and visiting Compton and Brook Bay was a nice change from the Ryde and Seaview organised beach cleans previously undertaken. This side of the island close to the Needles and famous Alum Bay is really very spectacular with huge cliffs, sandy stretches, surfers and beautiful views.
Vivida kindly sponsored us with dry robes and changing towels to protect us from the rough conditions and provided the perfect outdoor kit to stay on the beach for longer.
You can get pickers, gloves and other useful resources sent to you from the likes of Surfers Against Sewage or other environmental agencies.
Beach cleans are easy, they are a really fulfilling addition to any walk you go on and give you a sense of looking after the places you enjoy and in turn the wider environment. It doesn’t need to be your rubbish to make you want to pick it up. It is totally frustrating in lots of ways that it is there in the first place but by being the type of person who grabs it when you pass it, you are supporting coastal health and that is very special.
