The Ecover Blue Mile, the mass participation swim and water sports event designed to encourage more people to actively support greater care of our seas, shores and wildlife, continues its growth; and this month saw hundreds of competitors swim, surf, kayak, paddleboard or doggy paddle their mile around Plymouth, UK, to raise money for the Marine Conservation Society.
The swim element of this pioneering series is supported by Aqua Sphere and over 200 swimmers dived in from Plymouth’s historic Mayflower Steps to complete a 1 mile course out into Plymouth Sound and back. The swimmers, all donning Aqua Sphere swim hats and aiming to win a raft of Aqua Sphere prizes, made for a colourful sight as they headed out from the Mayflower Steps.
Launched in 2010, the Ecover Blue Mile encourages people to connect with their local beach and waterway by doing a sponsored mile in or next to the water. It has grown from a flagship event in Plymouth to two events at Plymouth and Weymouth and includes fully comprehensive schedules for teams and/or individuals.
In addition, the Ecover Blue Mile engages hundreds of children in a nationwide schools and grassroots programme to link school sport with marine conservation. All activity is designed to celebrate our seas and raise money to support the Marine Conservation Society (MCS).
Martin Newton of Aqua Sphere said “These kinds of ventures are really growing in importance in the sports calendar, encouraging and engaging people to get active for a worthy cause. It’s at the heart of our ethos to support them and encourage people of all generations and abilities to take to the water.”
www.thebluemile.com
www.aquasphereswim.com
