Trashing Success At Earth Day Clean Up By Paddle on San Francisco Bay

We were once again blessed with fine weather for the 41 paddlers willing to clean up the San Rafael Creek this past Earth Day. What makes our clean-up effort unique is that we clean up from Kayaks and Stand Up Paddleboards! (Pictured aboce - SUPsquatch sighting on the San Rafael Creek)

The day dawned with low tide in place. That means lots of muddy trash to pick up as the water recedes to unveil the sunken 'treasures' of the San Rafael Creek.  Year after year we see less and less trash and that's a good thing. We traditionally run 4 or 5 of these clean-up events every year. We waive all the charges and allow anyone willing to help a free paddle on the day. If you'd like to help at future events please sign up for our newsletter to stay in the know.(pictured above - wave 1 heads out to make the world a better place)

We have to pass a special thanks to the City of San Rafael and the San Rafael Clean team. Year after year they step up and support making San Rafael a better place for all. As long as we are passing out thank you's a big one has to go to the Marin Sanitary Service. They support these efforts with the donation of a free trash bin (pictured above) and even come to pick it up. We are very proud to call Marin Sanitary Service a partner.

We had a special appearance this year by SUPsquatch.Yes that's an 8 person stand up paddleboard and man can it haul a load of trash. The SUPsquatch was powered by the team at Rivers for Change. Rivers for Change activates conservation through adventure and education. They connect individuals and communities to rivers to promote sea literacy and that's a mission we can get bhind. Check out Rivers for Change.

Amongst the fun items we recovered included a shopping cart, a bbq, multiple toys, and lots of plastic. One note of positive change is the dramatic drop in plastic bags we find in the water. The ban on plastic bags is really working and that is a really good thing.

Thanks to all who paddled. We took over 800lbs of trash out of the San Francisco Bay. Thanks again and paddle on!