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Protecting Wild Waters: Our Partnership with Surfers Against Sewage
Written by Lydia Burdett /
At Red Equipment, our connection to water runs deep. From paddle boarding and wild swimming to waterside adventures, water is at the heart of everything we do. Ultimately, we believe that life's better by the water. But for too many people across the UK, access to clean and safe waterways cannot be taken for granted.
That is why we are proud to partner with Surfers Against Sewage to support their Protecting Wild Waters campaign, helping shine a light on water quality and empower communities to protect the rivers and waterways they love.
This partnership forms part of the Red Foundation, our commitment to support individuals and communities that strive to improve accessibility and inclusively to the water.
Why Clean Water Matters
Across the UK, rivers are under increasing pressure from pollution. Yet millions of people still rely on these blue spaces every year for recreation, wellbeing and connection with nature.
Being in and by the water including swimming, paddle boarding and kayaking offer huge physical and mental health benefits. But people should not have to question whether the water they are entering is safe.
Clean water is fundamental to the experiences we all value.
Supporting Communities Protecting Their Rivers
The Protecting Wild Waters campaign supports communities across the UK who are applying for Bathing Water Designation for their local rivers.
When a site receives this status, regulators are required to regularly test water quality during the bathing season and classify it as ‘Excellent’, ‘Good’, ‘Sufficient’ or ‘Poor’. If a site is classified as ‘Poor’, authorities must take additional action to address the causes of pollution.
More than 600 coastal bathing waters exist in the UK, but only 15 rivers currently hold this designation.
Communities across the country are working to change that.
Through guidance, resources and advocacy, Surfers Against Sewage is helping local groups lead campaigns that bring transparency to water quality and hold polluters accountable.
Joining the Protecting Wild Waters Tour
This March, we will be joining Surfers Against Sewage on the Protecting Wild Waters Swim Tour, visiting four inspiring communities who are campaigning to protect their local waterways.
Our team will be capturing the stories of the people leading these efforts and sharing them with our wider community.
Stops on the tour include:
- River Yealm, Noss Mayo
- River Fowey, Lostwithiel
- East Beach, West Bay, Dorset
- River Avon, Salisbury
These communities are volunteering their time, energy and expertise to secure Bathing Water Designation and protect the places where people swim, paddle and connect with nature.
We will be sharing updates throughout the tour across our social channels so you can follow the journey and hear directly from the people driving change.
Why This Matters to Red
Protecting clean, safe waterways matters to us because it directly supports the experiences our community values – swimming, paddling and spending time in and by the water.
Through our Red Foundation, we support initiatives that improve access, promote wellbeing, and help safeguard these environments.
Being a Certified B Corporation strengthens this commitment, giving us a framework to use our business as a force for good.
The water is central to everything we do – and protecting it means everyone can enjoy it.
“Passionate communities are leading the way in applying for bathing water status to protect the health of their local waterways, and people’s health. We know that inland waterways achieving bathing water designation isn’t a silver bullet to improve water quality. But it is a vital next step in our plans to lift the lid on polluters, force regulators to act and end sewage pollution for good.”
Kirsty Davies, Community Water Quality Manager from Surfers Against Sewage
How You Can Get Involved
Protecting our rivers is a collective effort.
You can support the Surfers Against Sewage Protecting Wild Waters campaign by:
- Signing the Surfers Against Sewage petition: Surfers Against Sewage have launched a petition calling for stronger action to tackle sewage pollution and protect our rivers and seas.
Add your name and help show the strength of public support for cleaner, safer water ahead of the upcoming Water Bill. - Supporting community consultations for Bathing Water Designation: Consultation on Designation of 13 Sites as Bathing Waters - Defra - Citizen Space
- Find out more about the Protecting Wild Waters here: https://protectingwildwaters.org.uk/
Together, we can help ensure our rivers, lakes and coastlines remain places where people can safely swim, paddle and reconnect with nature.
Because life really is better by the water.
Discover the Protecting Wild Waters campaign
Surfers Against Sewage are working with communities across the UK to protect rivers, lakes and coastlines. Learn more about how the Protecting Wild Waters campaign helps secure cleaner, safer waterways and how you can get involved.
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