World Oceans Day 2018 - 2019
Ocean Culture Life brought World Oceans Day to the forefront in Jersey last year. As a collective of like-minded ocean dwellers, living our lives on this beautiful island that is so dependent on the sea, we realised the importance of sharing our hope for restoring healthy oceans throughout our community. We are lucky to have an amazing network here in Jersey, whether it be businesses that depend on the water, families enjoying the beach or surfers and SUP-ers who enjoy splashing in and riding the froth.
World Oceans Day hopes to remind people of the importance of our oceans, and encourages people to make an effort to appreciate and health to seas around the world. It is increasingly difficult in our consumer-driven societies, to remember the impact of waste and pollution, however if we all make one change in our lives to improve marine ecosystems, it will make a world of difference.
This year, OCL postponed our WOD activities to Sunday 9th June; we were reminded of the powerful force of nature when Storm Miguel swooped across our shores, interrupting the beach yoga we had planned as well as our walk and talk with inspirational, ocean-loving figures. We were still able to get outside, and watched the fearless members of our community who braved the swell and white water, taking to the sea to kite and wind surf.
The strong winds eventually dropped, giving way to a beautiful evening, setting us up for a lovely Sunday morning in the sunshine. We met with Jersey’s Long Distance Swimming Club, who helped to host a swim, paddle or surf at Le Braye, St Ouens Bay. We gathered, heard the history of the club, how people can get involved etc, and headed straight into the luscious blue water. We frolicked in the waves, enthused about how great it is that we can come together and appreciate the sea for what it is, on such a beautiful day, how we can take it for granted by ‘waiting for that perfect wave’ and how we should all make an effort to get wet more!
Later in the day, Little Feet Environmental had helped to organise a beach clean at Sands; providing buckets and protective gloves, groups of friends and families headed up into the sand dunes and down into the bay, collecting an enormous 35kg of litter.
Meanwhile, Jersey Sandman used his impressive artwork skills to create three logos in the sand: OCL, Healing Waves - one of our amazing OCL guardians - and Little Feet. We all watched from the boardwalk above, as he drew in the sand, clean and fresh from the receding tide.
We have postponed our Walk and Talk: walking with inspirational creators, individuals and businesses who love and depend on the ocean, until later in the summer. Fingers crossed for good weather and low tides! Keep your eye on our social media channels for an update on this.
Hashtag #OCLWorldOceansDay to let us see what you got up this World Oceans Day!
We would love to share your contributions and see how you got involved.
Photographer: India Sutton
Camera: Leica Q
Location: St Ouens Bay, Jersey
Words: Pip Monks
