Los Angeles Waterkeeper is holding its annual Stand Up For Clean Water event tomorrow, April 16, at Paradise Cove, Malibu, with clean water supporters and outdoors enthusiasts invited to join in the fun.
The event is one of the largest stand-up paddle boarding events in the nation, with over 300 paddle boarders expected to participate in the races that take place on the Point Dume State Marine Reserve – a Marine Protected Area (MPA) where fishing is restricted but non-consumptive recreational uses like paddling and diving are allowed and even encouraged.
Stand Up For Clean Water is a Waterkeeper Alliance SPLASH Series Event.
“What makes this event so special is that in addition to it being a celebration of our beautiful coastline, the race complements Waterkeeper’s successful work to safeguard Marine Protected Areas,” said Los Angeles Waterkeeper Executive Director Bruce Reznik.
“Much like underwater national parks, MPAs protect ecologically important areas of our ocean allowing them to replenish and flourish – ensuring future generations will be able to enjoy a thriving coastline teeming with wildlife,” Reznik said.
International environmental hero Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and world-renowned paddleboarder and surfer Anthony Vela will lead the 5th-annual paddleboard race. Both Kennedy and Vela have a long history supporting the causes of Los Angeles Waterkeeper in protecting and restoring the region’s waters.
“If you love water sports, you love clean water. We’re honored to have international heroes from both the paddling and environmental community working to protect and restore Los Angeles’ marine habitats,” Reznik added.
Mr. Kennedy will address the crowd, discussing how the important work of Los Angeles Waterkeeper connects with the efforts of more than 280 independent Waterkeepers protecting waterways across the globe, according to event organizers. Vela will be emceeing.
Stand Up for Clean Water features two-mile, five-mile and kids stand-up paddle races, and a post-race award ceremony and beach party with live music, silent auction and raffle, and food and refreshments.
This year’s youth ambassadors, Nickelodeon star Aidan Gallagher and 15-year old stand-up paddle board competitor Erika Benitez, will kick off the youth races with Aidan emceeing and Erika in the water providing paddleboard demonstrations.
Point Dume Reserve is one area where Los Angeles Waterkeeper conducts its MPA Watch program, an experiential learning program where Waterkeeper staff and volunteer boat crews monitor boating and fishing activity in and around the region’s MPAs.
The goal of the program is to nurture community stewardship of these special areas while creating ocean ambassadors who spread the MPA word back into their own diverse neighborhoods. Stand Up for Clean Water gives homage to the MPA Watch program and raises awareness by connecting people to our MPAs.
All proceeds of Saturday’s event will go to support Los Angeles Waterkeeper’s work to protect and restore Los Angeles coastal waters and inland waterways.
For more information head to: sup4cleanwater.org. The event is at Paradise Cove, 28128 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu. Registration opens at 7.30am, races begin at 9:30am, beach party begins at 11am.
