The Whale Company, is (registering as) a charity that works with schools and communities to promote connection to nature through sports, the arts and craft; driving positive change in behaviour and encouraging the emergence of innovative solutions for a more sustainable world. Over the last ten years we have produced more plastic than in the whole of the last century! Currently only 24% of the five million tonnes of plastic used in the UK every year is recycled or re-used; we urgently need to rethink how we are using plastic. Stand Up Paddleboarding is the fastest growing water sport, accessible to all ages and abilities. It is a beautiful sport that improves fitness, balance and core strength at the same time as connecting you directly with the water and surrounding nature. There is no coincidence that it is fast becoming associated with protecting the environment; sadly when you paddle it won’t be long before you see plastic! The impact is powerful and will initiate change because we protect what we love. On World Oceans Day 2017 Carlos and Carolyn became the first people in the world to paddle a marathon on a SUP made out of plastic bottles. They went on to complete 12 marathons in 12 countries in Europe, catching the eye of the media to raise awareness. This year Carlos and Carolyn will paddle the whole length of the River Thames from the source to the sea, to deliver a message in a bottle to parliament. The Whale Company runs Bottle Boards education talks and workshops for schools and communities all over the world. They bring the issue of plastic pollution to the classroom in a fun and positive way, sharing expedition stories and exploring innovative solutions to the problem of single use plastic: by turning waste into a resource; talking about alternatives and encouraging children to think creatively about circular economy design, considering the whole life cycle of a product and its impact on the environment.