Naish One SUP Series - Ecover Blue Mile Programme

The Ecover Blue Mile in Weymouth, 2013

WEYMOUTH, England - The second edition of the UK Naish One SUP paddle series returns to Weymouth in Dorset in July as part of the 2014 Ecover Blue Mile. The inaugural series took place at the 2013 Ecover Blue Mile in Weymouth and proved a huge success, giving many people the chance to compete in SUP races for the first time alongside more experienced racers. 

Like last year, there will also be Naish SUP taster sessions for people to try out the sport in the safe waters off Weymouth Beach over the weekend of 19-20 July.

Alex Tobutt of Naish UK said they were delighted to be back this year: “We brought the sport to so many new people last year and this year, we’re looking to grow that even more. It’s important for us to see as many people as possible of all ages come along and have a go at the taster sessions. Anyone can give it a try.”

The taster sessions are on both days of the Weymouth Ecover Blue Mile, with the races taking place on the Sunday. 

Later in the summer, on 13-14 September, the fourth Ecover Blue Mile Plymouth takes place off the city’s famous Barbican and Hoe. Both flagship Ecover Blue Miles feature one-mile SUP and kayak races and an open water, one mile swim. There’s also an aquatriathlon for individuals and teams, where competitors complete a mile in all three disciplines.

Registration has gone live for the Ecover Blue Mile flagship events, which are in support of the Marine Conservation Society’s crucial work protecting the UK’s seas, shores and wildlife. 

In addition to this year’s flagship events, schools, colleges and community groups across the UK are being encouraged to Go Blue! and do something amazing for our seas. The Go Blue! big weekend will kick off on Friday 6 to Sunday 8 June with celebrities joining in the fun to help raise awareness about the need to protect our marine environment. 

Olympic Canoe Slalom Champion, Tim Baillie, is lending his support and agreed to kick off the Go Blue! campaign by leading a combined Ecover and Marine Conservation Society (MCS)team 60 miles across Scotland in the Great Glen Paddle. The team will be raising money for MCS and promoting the work of the charity as they paddle from Fort William to Inverness on 22-23 March. 

Tim said: “I’m really pleased to lend my support and be part of Team Go Blue! The Great Glen is an iconic stretch of water linking the east and west coasts of Scotland and I hope we can inspire people across the UK to join in and be part of the Go Blue! big weekend.” 

Ecover Blue Mile event manager, Teresa Page said expanding the event with a full programme in Weymouth for the first time was a natural progression: “It’s such a brilliant venue, with a great beach and waterfront. We were blown away by the welcome we received by everyone last year when we put on the water sport taster sessions. 

“We can’t wait to get back there with a full programme this year. Families and children can try out the paddle sports and there’s also a chance for people to be competitive in the races. The one mile swim is brand new for Weymouth and we’re looking for lots of people to come and enjoy the course.”

Visit www.thebluemile.com for more information and to register to take part.

PRESS CONTACTS:

Sport Environment
Laura Joint
T: +44 (0) 1752 600111
M: +44 (0) 7765 621412
E: media@sportenvironment.com

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Website: thebluemile.com
Twitter: @thebluemile
Facebook: /thebluemile
Instagram: /thebluemile

About Ecover Blue Mile:
The Ecover Blue Mile launched in 2010 as a new mass-participation event designed to connect the nation with our seas, shores and wildlife. Today the Blue Mile is more than just an event and has grown to include a nationwide schools and grassroots programme with over 200 organisations taking part. This year we plan to engage with hundreds of school children across the UK to celebrate our seas and raise some money to support the work of our official charity partner, the Marine Conservation Society. For more information about the Ecover Blue Mile visit our website www.thebluemile.com

About Ecover:
Ecover is the world’s largest producer of ecological cleaning products, using sustainable plant and mineral-based ingredients to create highly effective cleaning products that achieve the lowest possible toxicity and the most rapid and complete biodegradability. Constantly innovating, Ecover continues to expand and improve its product range, including the development of a new Eco-Surfactant for use in its hard surface cleaners, meaning the range cleans as well as – or better than - the UK’s leading conventional brands. All of Ecover’s plastic bottles are made from Plant-astic – a 100 per cent renewable, reusable and recyclable plastic made from sugarcane. Ecover was the first cleaning brand in the UK to use Plant-astic and has used it across its product range since 2011. For more information on this pioneering brand, visit www.the-splash.co.uk

About the Marine Conservation Society:
The MCS is the UK charity dedicated to protecting our seas, shores and wildlife. MCS is the official charity partner of the Ecover Blue Mile and Ecover Blue Mile participants are asked to fundraise for MCS alongside their participation to help protect the environment they enjoy so much.

MCS campaigns for clean seas and beaches, sustainable fisheries, and protection of marine life. Through education, community involvement and collaboration, MCS raises awareness of the many threats that face our seas and promotes individual, industry and government action to protect the marine environment. MCS provides information and guidance on many aspects of marine conservation and produces the annual Good Beach Guide, the Good Fish Guide and Fishonline on sustainable seafood, as well as involving thousands of volunteers in projects and surveys such as MCS Beachwatch. www.mcsuk.org.