June 16, 2012: World Paddle for the Planet Day
Bob Purdy is continuing his mission of paddling every day in 2011 and 2012 with World Paddle for the Planet Day, which will be held on June 16, 2012! The general goal of the day is to gather as many people as possible around the World, and get them all out paddling to help raise awareness for the protection of our planet.
Bob will be heading up a crew of paddlers to paddle the entire 80 mile length of the Okanagan Lake… See if you can match that!
Here’s Bob’s remarks on the importance of the day, and how you too can help to make a difference:
“Sending a “SUPWave of Change” around the World”
My name is Bob Purdy, I am a Standup Paddle Surfing, Elder in Training, Outstanding Somewhere…….. In 2011 I paddled my Standup Paddle Surfer every day to raise funds for the “David Suzuki Foundation” and to “change the way we live on the planet”.
I discovered that we are facing many of the same challenges in 2012 that we did last year. And the year before that. And the year before that. Etc. Etc. Etc. I find it very difficult to stand by and watch the same challenges surface year after year which is why I will “Paddle for the Planet” again every day in 2012. The call to action is urgent, the Planet is crying out for help! The challenges we face socially, economically and environmentally in today’s World are staggering, and just like all life on the Planet, intricately connected! Have we forgotten that all life is precious? Have we become disconnected from the Natural World that is our home? Have we affected the planet’s ability to sustain life? Could we do better for the planet, and for each other? If the answer to any of these questions is yes, then action is required! It is time to “Change the way we live on the Planet!”
I have also discovered that as a group, Standup Paddle Surfers tend to be a proactive group of people! What better way to “Change the way we live on the Planet” than to create an opportunity for paddlers around the World to paddle for the change they would like to see? “World Paddle for the Planet Day” is June 16, 2012 and has been created to give Standup Paddle Surfers around the World an opportunity to paddle for change by sending a “SUPWave of Change” around the Globe! Here is the plan! One, choose a change you would like to see happen in the World. Two, paddle for that change on June 16th. Three, commit to that change until it becomes reality! It could be something as simple as spending the day cleaning up your local beach, or as ambitious as joining a movement to stop an activity that is harmful to the planet. Paddle by yourself, or organize a group to send out a stronger “SUPWave of Change!” It’s simple, more paddlers, in more places around the World equals bigger change! For my part I will paddle the length of Okanagan Lake in B.C. Canada where I live, a distance of about 80 miles. The change I want to see revolves around consumption, and I will definitely be inviting paddlers to join me! We need to rethink the way we consume and reduce what we buy, the Planet needs a break from our constant need to indulge!
The “David Suzuki Foundation” has done a lot to “Change the way we live on the Planet” and I will once again fundraise to support their amazing body of work! The Foundation could really use our help in the World and I invite all paddlers to join me in collecting pledges/donations to help Dr. Suzuki achieve his goals for change at www.davidsuzuki.org. Donations are gratefully accepted on our web site www.paddlefortheplanet.ca , just click on the donate button. Every penny will go directly to the “David Suzuki Foundation!” Please join me on June 16th to make “World Paddle for the Planet Day” an outstanding event for change in 2012! Organize a happening, go for a quiet paddle, join your friends or paddle solo, whatever you do let us know! Contact us on facebook at Bob Purdy with details of your paddle!
One Person is the Difference, Stand up and be that Person!
Check out PaddleForThePlanet.ca for more information!
