Man attempts Isle of Wight challenge on recycled paddleboard
David Haze, adventurer and holder of seven stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) world records, is about to undertake the world’s first completely carbon neutral, environmentally friendly expedition by SUP, as he commences a five-day solo trip around the Isle of Wight.
Everything Haze is using on the ‘The Great Green Paddle’ expedition, from his equipment to his clothes and food, will be ethically sourced, carbon neutral, environmentally friendly, and preferably 100 per cent recycled, recyclable or leaves no footprint.
Haze sets off on the trip on Monday, 1 August. He will be raising money and awareness for Surfers Against Sewage and awareness for the Big Plastic Pledge. Readers can donate to his fundraising page online.
Haze says: “The board I am using is 100 per cent recycled, as everything was found in a skip destined for landfill. Conrad Manning Racing designed the board, and it consists of a scaffolding plank, house insulation, wood taken from voting ballots and is wrapped in wrap used to transport boats.
“My main concerns are the weather and the tides, but I have spent my hours looking over the tidal charts, flow charts and seeking advice. I am pretty confident that I have nailed it and the weather looks like it is on my side. I will, however, have to keep an eye out for the regatta as it is Cowes Week.”
Haze has teamed up with Empower Energy for the trip, which aims to offset the impact of climate change by harnessing the power of renewable energy, most specifically solar power.
Haze has selected four locations where he will sleep on beaches during the expedition, with permission from the Isle of Wight council.
“This will give me plenty of opportunities to try out all the different environmentally aware products that I will be carrying as well as looking for any plastic abandoned, which I will use to create a sculpture to remind me of this challenge,” he says.
