On 2 June 2012 (this Saturday) the global initiative Paddle for the Planet will be taking place in 20 countries around the world in an effort to raise awareness and funds for marine conservation.  Fish Hoek beach (Cape Town) will see paddlers hitting the beach at 8am sharp to do a 10 kilometer paddle to the lighthouse and back being led by Global Paddle for the Planet Ambassador, Dawid Mocke.  Mocke, who is the current Surfski world champion and title holder for the past three successive years, will be accompanied by his wife Nikki (2008 Beijing Olympian) and other watermen that want to make a difference.  Other events in Cape Town will also be the Hout Bay SUP series.

The international relay runs with simultaneous paddling events starting sequentially, at the same time, in the 20 participating countries around the world thereby creating a global relay. Other countries participating in Saturday’s event include Fiji, Australia, Bali, the U.A.E, Mauritius, Sweden, Spain, Portugal, Puerto Rico, the U.S.A and a whole host of countries in between.  Some of the more ambitious paddlers (in Puerto Rico) are even doing a 24 hour marathon so they can paddle with the rest of the world every hour.  Last year the money raised through this initiative went towards purchasing a patrol boat for the Daram Marine Reserve in Raja Ampat, Indonesia.

Dawid says. “ I travel to more than 10 countries a year to race and am very aware of the state of our oceans. Often, when faced with the magnitude of environmental issues, a person is left feeling as if there’s nothing that can be done. This event creates an opportunity to make a difference and allows paddlers to come out and be part of making a small change.”

Dawid is laying the gauntlet down to those on the coast and inland. “The fifth of June is World Environment Day. What are you doing to make a difference in your environment? This is not just about the well being of our oceans. Our ocean, rivers and lakes and the well being of earth, are all intricately linked. So wherever you are, get involved.  Go paddle – paddle a river, dam or lake.”

Even if you aren’t a paddler, you can still donate. Visit www.paddlefortheplanet.org, Facebook: Paddle for the Planet for more info or contact Dawid at

Media Release: 26 May 2012

to find out more about local surfski legends Dawid and Nikki Mocke click on https://scenicsouth.co.za//2011/11/dawid-and-nikki-mocke-fish-hoeks-world-champion-surfski-couple/

If Saturday was just a warm-up for you join the Peninsula Paddlers starting at Sandvlei on Sunday 3 June. for more info click on: https://scenicsouth.co.za//2012/05/peninsula-paddle-on-3-june-takes-back-city-of-cape-town-waterways/