By Isle of Wight Observer
More than 70 water-users, gathered at Sandown Bay on Saturday as part of the nationwide Surfers Against Sewage Paddle-Out Protests, are called for urgent reform of the UK’s ‘broken’ water system.
Surfers, swimmers, paddle boarders, and kayakers stood together in solidarity to demand cleaner waters, an end to sewage pollution, and meaningful action to protect public health and the environment.
The Isle of Wight protest formed part of a co-ordinated national day of action, involving more than 50 communities across the UK.
Participants at Sandown Bay highlighted the growing concern among year-round water users about sewage discharges into bathing waters and the failure of current regulations to reflect how people actually use the sea.
Chani Courtney of Surfers Against Sewage, said: “The Island stood up and spoke for our waters. The diversity of water users really highlights the need for all water users to count in designated bathing water sites.
“I hope the systems will shift to allow consistent investment for nature-based solutions for the Isle of Wight and all other 56 communities that took part in the protests. Thank you all so much.”
The Paddle-Out Protests come amid mounting public anger over sewage pollution and concerns over the effectiveness of government action.
Surfers Against Sewage says the current privatised water system is failing both people and the environment.
Nationally, campaigners point to alarming statistics including more than 290,000 sewage discharges recorded in 2025 – equivalent to nearly 800 spills a day – alongside thousands of sickness reports linked to polluted waters.
The organisation says proposed reforms currently under consideration do not go far enough and that this moment represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity for transformational change.
