Solo SUP Around Mallorca 600km

Hi, I'm Harrison, and I am fundraising for Save the Med foundation.

 

On the 18th of May, I will be starting my solo journey of paddleboarding around the island of Mallorca, which is approximately 600km and will take about 17 days (depending on the weather). This challenge will not just be physical but also mental as I will be alone at sea for up to 10 hours a day with nothing but my thoughts and the challenge ahead to entertain me.

 

This idea came about from sitting on a plane back from Mallorca, staring at a map of the island, where I thought to myself, "I can paddleboard around there." My friends jokingly had always said that I would end up paddleboarding around Mallorca one day, so here I go.

 

Save the Med Foundation is a marine conservation charity whose mission is "To enable the Mediterranean Sea to recover its rich biodiversity and thrive in harmony with prospering, environmentally conscious and proactive local populations." They aim to do this through 4 separate projects.

 

Firstly, by increasing the number of marine protected areas in the Balearic Sea, they have successfully worked with the Balearic government to create the Dragonera Island Marine Reserve, which is now a thriving habitat for marine wildlife.

 

Secondly, through scientific research, their research programs aim to increase the current knowledge of potentially vulnerable species in the Mediterranean to protect them and their habitats. Some of the species they are studying include the Spinetail Devil Ray, Nursehound Sharks and Angel Sharks.

 

Thirdly, through their educational programmes, they aim to reduce plastic pollution through the Dos Manos Schools Project and the Changemakers at Sea Project. The Dos Manos Schools Project aims to raise awareness and promote reflection on how we can replace or re-use plastic to limit its demand in our everyday lives and prevent plastic from ending up in the environment. The aim of the Changemakers at Sea Project is to invite students from the Balearic Islands to form teams and develop ideas that can help reduce the use of plastic.

 

Finally, to help create a plastic-free Balearics by working with companies to reduce their single-use plastics consumption and find honest alternatives. The Save the Med foundation does this by conducting assessments and providing tailor-made reports for plastic reduction.

 

Save the Med foundation is essential to me as their work directly influences the marine environment, which I and many others love to scuba dive, snorkel, swim, and do many other water sports. These will all end if our precious ocean environment isn't protected, so I believe the work that Save the Med foundation does will preserve the environment for many years, so please donate generously to this great cause!