MEDIA RELEASE
July 22, 2015
SALISH SEA — The second annual Turning the Tide: Peoples' Paddle for the Salish Sea will push off from the Dolphin Dock in North Saanich, BC on Friday morning at 8:00 am, mobilizing an on-the-water community to celebrate the Salish Sea and demonstrate the unwavering commitment of participants to protect the coast from the threat of tarsands, tankers and pipelines.
The people-powered flotilla, which is spearheaded by the Turning the Tide committee in concert with a number of organizations, with embark on a five-day paddle through the Southern Gulf Islands with overnight stops and community celebrations at Salt Spring, Mayne Island and Pender Island.
"One year after the first Peoples' Paddle, our coast still faces multiple threats from tarsands, tankers, pipelines and a federal government keen to sell our natural wealth to the highest bidder," says Turning the Tide organizer Sasha Kvakic. "As long as these threats continue, we will keep building our movement and demonstrating our love for the Salish Sea and our commitment to protect it."
"Turning the Tide represents a 180 degree turn away from the fossil fuel economy and towards a restorative future. We want a sustainable future for coastal communities. Join us as we unite our islands in solidarity."
The Turning the Tide paddle has reached capacity with 100 registered participants, from open-water swimmers, to sailors, to self-propelled paddlers travelling by canoe, kayak and rowboat. The participants range from toddlers to senior citizens and include residents from across British Columbia and elected officials from Port Hardy at the top of Vancouver Island to municipalities including Central Saanich and the City of Victoria.
"Turning the Tide builds community among people who are passionate about protecting the fragile and irreplaceable ecosystem of the Salish Sea," says Emily Rogers, a member of the Turning the Tide organizer committee. "It is simultaneously a celebration of the ecology that we rely upon and a peaceful protest of industrial development that threatens it. We encourage everyone to join with us and turn the tide."
The Turning the Tide paddle embarks from Dolphin Dock, adjacent to the BC Ferries Swartz Bay ferry terminal off Dolphin Road and Barnacle Road, on Friday July 24th at 8:00 am.
Community gatherings are taking place on Friday, July 24th at Ruckle Provincial Park, Salt Spring Island, Saturday July 25th at Miners Bay Park, Mayne Island, and Sunday July 26th and Monday July 27th at Port Browning, Pender Island. The paddle returns to Vancouver Island on Tuesday July 28th. Visit www.TurningtheTide.ca to learn more and get involved.
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For further information, contact:
Sasha Kvakic, Turning the Tide, 250-818-5565
Emily Rogers, Turning the Tide, 250-514-6211