I joined SAS last year, after rading about the subjects i have mentioned in greater and more gruesome detail, and also, i had obtained first hand experience when i was surfing, and witnessed raw sewge being pumped into the water as i surfed.
The first demonstration i took part in was in July 2003. The SAS tour all around the British Isles, demonstrating and making their voice heard, and one of their stops was in Brighton, which is where i participated.
Early saturday morning the entourage started to arrive and by noon there was a strong group of 80+ surfers on on Brighton seafront, and a further 200 people, such as organisers and spectators. By the time i arrived the whole beach was packed and i had trouble finding the organisers, so i just followed the surfers that all semmed to be heading in the same direction, and then i started to panick. I had never realised how long the pier was, and the plan today was to paddle around it! There was only a few other girl surfers there, all of whom i had surfed with, and i could see the worried expression on their faces too! There was only a slim chance i could paddle all around that! I found a close friend called Andy onthe beach and he was already putting on his wetsuit! This was the second time in less than 10 minutes i panicked, not only had i realised how late i was, but also that i had forgot my wetsuit! I had to make do with my board shorts and a SAS rashie (rash vest-thermal shirt worn under your wetsuit!) it was too late to worry about anything as i was rushed into the lineup and wait until it was time to go!
The whistle blew and pure adrenalin rushed though my body as i raced to the water and launched myself on my board, paddling as hard as i could, I turned around and could only smile at the sight of all my fellow surfers behind and to each side of me, all united against one thing, and before i knew it, i had reached the end of the pier and was coming back around to shore, but everyone on the beach was cheering, and no matter how exhausted we all were, we all came back with the biggest smiles you could ever see!
As I look back on it now, it all seems so fast, and the experience was surreal. I had spent so long putting leaflets up in my local pubs, going to neighbours houses and clling relatives and friends collecting sposorship money, arranging to and from Brighton making sure i had the essentials to go (i.e boardwax, leash etc) and then it was all over. The paddle round the pier caught great media attention for the Surfers Against Sewage campaign, and we are one step closer to Brightons sewage treatments getting the overhaul they so desperately need.
Although the facts about the pollution in the sea and the problems they cause are just facts, many surfers in the lineup that day had experienced first hand experienced of what it is like to go through an illness caused by surfing in the sea,for example i met a man called james that day, who's had 2 rather nasty experiences involved with pollution in the sea. The first one involved a severe breakout of spots and blisters down below, and the other one was continuous vomiting for a week and having to be admitted to hospital. For these reasons i admired him, he had been through these traumas and still did what he loved, and made a stand against the things he did not.
I havent really become involved in any other environmental demonstrations or issues because of my experience with SAS, i feel that this is something i can relate to, and put all my energy into it, and be able to see the results, although i think for the next paddle round the pier i will change a few things, i will aim to collect even more sponsorship money and definately make sure i have my wetsuit with me before i leave!
Overall, I feel that day was very benifitial to me and other young surfers in the water. We learnt how important it is to be united against any issue, instead of just sitting back and saying 'whatever will be will be'. I learnt more about the effects of pollution in Brighton and all over the English channel, i met a great group of people that i have kept in touch with and i cant wait until the paddle round the pier next year.........
