Sports and the environment have many items in common and sometimesthey meet to develop various solidarity and awareness raising events.In Mar del Plata, one of the organizations committed to these topics isSurfrider Argentina; a NGO presided by Julio Ernesto Gutiérrez Conte.
On Sunday 7th February, 11.00am, the traditional open sea swimmingrace took place starting from Cabo Corrientes area and ending at BahíaPlaya Grande. The competition was held within the “National LifeguardDay” framework and specially to pay tribute to Guillermo Volpe who diedin the line of duty.
Awareness Raising
As part of the activities accompanying the above sports event,Argentina developed a “Beach Cleaning and Awareness Raising” Day; itspurpose was the appreciation of the coastal public area.
The Environmental Day took place on Playa Grande at 14.30, followingthe Prize Ceremony. This action is an integrating part of the “LeaveJust Your Footsteps on the Beach” Campaign, and Surfrider called anyperson interested in participating, to get enrolled via e-mail to info@surfrider.org.ar or just popping up on Playa Grande.
The Organization
It is worth highlighting that Surfrider Argentina is an NGO whosepurpose and mission are the protection, restatement and restoration ofthe various ecosystems of the Argentine Sea through conservation,research, involvement and education.
This Organization has a well-known presence in the surfing world andhas actively participated in preservation campaigns for the beacheswhere these competitive sports are done, such as La paloma wave zone,route 11.
Therefore, Surfrider makes continuous actions in order to raise theawareness on care of the costal space and struggles for a lifeguardpermanent implementation safety of the costal area users.
