What is Paddle for the Planet?
Paddle for the Planet is a Global Paddling Relay that began in 2011. Paddle for the Planet unites paddlers, creates awareness and is a movement for conservation.
The goal is to have simultaneous paddling events happening sequentially, at a specific time, in every time zone and in each country around the world.
The result will be to unite paddlers of any type of paddling craft through the Global Relay. Think: SUP, kayak, dragon boats, canoe, surfboard etc.
Paddle for the Planet aims to raise awareness and financial support for marine conservation specifically in the area of reserves and “no take zones”.
Paddle for the Planet wants to create an opportunity to make a difference. Often, when faced with the magnitude of environmental issues, a person is left feeling overwhelmed and as if there is nothing that can be done. We want to allow all paddlers the opportunity to help.
Is Paddle for the Planet a registered non-profit organisation?
Yes, Paddle for the Planet is a registered Not for Profit Organisation (RegNo: 2013/102375/08)
Where do the funds raised go?
All funds raised go directly towards marine conservation. We buy boats for rangers, support operations for the protection of marine sanctuaries in a different region each year.
Does Paddle for the Planet ambassadors take fees or salaries to operate the organisation?
No. Every cent raised goes directly to the cause. We don’t take management fees or salaries. All of our time is donated to the cause.
Who’s behind Paddle for the Planet?
- Dale Rennie – P4P Ambassador and digital friend via Kryptonite Digital Agency
- Dawid Mocké – P4P Brand Ambassador and Surfski Champion
- Dave MacLeod – P4P Ambassador and media friend via Gameplan Media
- Paul Hilton – P4P Ambassador and Conservation Photographer
- Nick Hando – P4P Ambassador & Co-founder, Dragon boat enthusiast and business development friend
- Thea van der Westhuizen – P4P Ambassador, Societal Scientist and business development friend
How Can I help Paddle for the Planet?
1. Help spread the word.
‘Like’ our Facebook page
Share our Facebook posts.
Subscribe to our Twitter feed
2. Participate during our annual global relay event
Start or Join a P4P group in your area! If you can’t find a group in your area then start one. You be the “Leader” and get all your friends to join you.
3.Register and sign our Paddle for the Planet event agreement.
Download/Ask for/Get the Paddle for the Planet logo and put it on some t-shirts, stickers, your blogs… whatever, go wild. Download the Brand Pack.
Let us know who and where you are. Please give your Time Zone in relation to Greenwich Mean Time without daylight saving (i.e. GMT-1). There are LOTS of time zones that need a “paddling leader” so PLEASE send to paddling friends all over the world to spread the word. Register your details on the website and Facebook page.
4. Help raise money.
Paddle for the Planet will raise money through donations in the following way:
- Through the website (donations)
- On the day of the Paddle by charging a small participation fee to paddlers
- Corporately through partnerships
- Via the sale of T-shirts and other merchandise
- Sponsorship on the day of the event (charging a fee for corporates to be involved)
(In 2011 we raised enough funds to help towards the Raja Ampat Reserve purchase of a new patrol boat.)
4. Offer skill sets that can help promote our event or help us administer. Maybe you are a budding or existing superstar in social media, digital marketing, lawyer, accountant or whatever. Contact: mactan@mac.com and outline what you can do. We are delighted to have ‘experts’ help promote the cause and event itself.
How do I create my own event?
1. Register your event. http://www.paddlefortheplanet.org/how-to-register/
2. We will confirm the details and event and help you promote it via our global website and Facebook and social sites. We will also add the details to our press releases if time permits.
3. We will add you to our closed Facebook group so you can speak to other organisers from all over the world. This will allow you to ask questions, exchange cool ideas, etc.
4. Have fun! Try to create an ‘event’ something that people want to go to. As well as inviting participants and friends, invite DJ’s, bands, entertainers to join in the fun. Get them to perform a gig for the cause. You can even hold a ‘beach clean up’ or ‘ocean clean up’ as part of the event.
We want to create a fun paddling event but have lots of supporting entertainment and activities around the event. Think creatively. The more groups you get involved, the more fun.
How do I promote the event?
If you are creating an event in your area you can:
List you’re event details on our Paddle for the Planet Facebook page. Start your own event Facebook page. (see example here: https://www.facebook.com/events/818464841570046/ ) Invite friends to join.
Contact local media outlets and let them know you are holding an event as part of Paddle for the Planet’s global relay. We have a general Press Release for you to follow. Just add your events details.
Contact local paddling groups. Get them involved. Call friends, family, whoever, let them know the event is happening.
Get other groups involved. See if you can get DJ’s or bands to play at the event. Have a beach clean up as part of the activities. At the end of the day, this is about the oceans. Anything we can do to attract people to the event and gain awareness for our cause: the better.
Chat with other organisers on our ‘closed Facebook’ group. You can spin off ideas, trade info and meet new friends from every corner of the world.
Contact us: PaddleforthePlanet@gmail.com and ask us for guidance.
What Do I Do On The Day Of The Paddle?
1. Print out and place banners around the event area.
2. Have all participants register at 7am (suggested)
3. Your event should commence at 9am (suggested)
4. Have some basic rules about the paddle. e.g.) A course to be paddled, time frame, format etc. Once again, think creatively. There is no set rules. This is all about having fun and creating awareness.
5. Take pictures of everyone! Pictures of people paddling, a group shot holding the Paddle for the Planet official banner (can be downloaded on this site) Get as much good footage as possible. Feel free to contact local media and let the world know that paddlers are taking the conservation of their oceans seriously.
Send footage to: mactan@mac.com and we will upload to our Facebook page and global website.
6. Charge participants a small fee which 100% will go to the cause. We suggest USD10 per person (this can vary country to country).
Get footage. Take video clips, make movies, contact local media and let the world know that paddlers are taking the conservation of their oceans seriously. Send footage to: mactan@mac.com and upload to our Facebook page
What time does the paddle begin on the day of the event?
We try to begin each paddle at 9am but that is not mandatory. You can decide on the exact time.
Do I need to be a paddler to join?
No. By simply attending an event or spreading the word, you are already helping our cause.
Are you a potential corporate sponsor looking to help Paddle for the Planet?
We are open to licensing deals with our brand or sponsorship opportunities. Contact: mactan@mac.com and let us know how you can support P4P. We are open to proposals on how you can make a difference.