Surfrider Foundation Europe come on board the Route du Rhum

Surfrider Foundation Europe come on board the Route du Rhum – Destination Guadeloupe

by Route du Rhum-Destination Guadeloupe 10 Jun 03:51 PDT
6 November 2022

As it is shaping up as an all time record edition the 2022 La Route du Rhum – Destination Guadeloupe 2022 will muster the biggest fleet ever with 138 participants.

And while the organisers OC Sport Pen Duick are doing everything possible to offer the best possible experience for competitors and the hundreds of thousands of visitors who will be in Saint-Malo and Pointe-à-Pitre the organisers, authorities and stakeholders are determined to make sure it is as sustainable as practically possible.

“Sport in general, and the Route du Rhum-Destination Guadeloupe in particular, have the power to reach and influence not only those who participate in the events, but also all the global audiences who engage and follow the exploits of sailors. And so integrating a programme of sustainable development, we add more meaning to our actions we fully use the platform we create and thus inform, raise awareness and promote around major environmental issues especially related to the ocean.” explains Joseph Bizard, Managing Director of OC Sport Pen Duick.

Getting Surfrider Foundation Europe involved

In support of this strategy, OC Sport Pen Duick has chosen to count on the Surfrider Foundation Europe which becomes an NGO partner of La Route du Rhum – Destination Guadeloupe.

This is a choice made on the basis of shared common values and the desire to make the general public aware of the need to protect our ocean. This association was originally created by surfers in 1984 in the United States and expanded its reach and activities into Europe in 1990. It acts for the protection of the ocean. It is very committed in many fields working with people, companies and institutions across the maritime world so that everyone becomes an ambassador pressing for an working for positive change. Increasingly it has become a powerful lobbying voice working with institutions (particularly European ones) to change environmental laws.

For three years, Surfrider Foundation Europe has also been supporting European sports bodies (federations, associations, clubs, sports facilities) so that they properly implement environmentally friendly practices.

Throughout the duration of La Route du Rhum – Destination Guadeloupe, the NGO’s teams will ensure that the general public is made aware of the protection of the Ocean through a strong presence in the village, educational actions and promotional actions to reach as many people as possible. They will also host conferences focused on solutions to reduce its environmental footprint.

“It is with great pleasure and pride that we are joining with the Route du Rhum – Destination Guadeloupe,” said Florent Marcoux, director of Surfrider Foundation Europe. “It is a pleasure to participate in this human and sporting adventure which embraces the entire ocean community which we all are part of. We are proud to now be able to contribute alongside OC Sport Pen Duick to the individual and collective ecological transition of the marine world. To do this, we are committed to making available our teams, employees or volunteers, our experience and our know-how to amplify and give resonance to the eco-responsible approach undertaken by OC Sport Pen Duick with all the stakeholders of this iconic race. Thank you for this trust! “.

This initiative with the Surfrider Foundation Europe will include a concrete action plan to reduce the impact of the event on all of the organization’s critical contact points by working, in particular, on emissions. and the carbon footprint of the race. It will focus on carbon offset post-event in order to evaluate the level of emissions, emitting greenhouse gases (GHG), and so allowing a reduction in emissions in the medium and long term. and establish an action plan for the future.

Find out more at www.routedurhum.com