Hey John,

We've had a busy few weeks at SAS, so we're going to make this quick. Here's what we've been up to.

To start, this is HUGE 📢 "Three water company bosses have given up their bonuses in an acknowledgment of the public anger over companies’ dumping of sewage in Britain’s rivers." Read the news here.

Next up. Did you see The Floater? 👇 Click to watch below as Ben Skinner, 11 time European Surf Champion, takes a ride on this one of a kind surfboard 💩 and we put the sewage scandal center stage.

✊ Policy - the Government debated OUR calls for 90% reduction in sewage pollution by 2030. Despite the bitter name-calling, it is great to see sewage pollution on the political agenda. Our policy and research manager, Henry, wrote about it here: Dirty Politics and hollow press releases - just another day in Westminster

📢 We shared locations for our Paddle Out protests on the 20th May. Join us! Check the map to find your nearest spot.

💧Our appeal raised £140,000 for our Safer Seas and Rivers Service app. Thank you so much to all of you that donated. This means we can continue to provide sewage information on when and where it's safe to use the water - the only free and unbiased map to do so.

❌ We've had nearly 90,000 of you sign the our petition against water companies profiting from pollution. Thank you SO much for signing. If you've not had a chance yet, take a minute to add your name 👉 Dirty Money Petition

We've also got something great to announce! 👇👇👇

EXCITING NEWS 🎉WE HAVE A NEW CHIEF EXEC!

Giles Bristow, former Interim CEO and Director of Programmes at Ashden, will be joining us as our new Chief Executive in the summer. He’s a senior leader and environmentalist with 21 years’ experience gained in commercial, entrepreneurial, community and NGO environments in the energy, food, and ocean systems sectors. He is also a committed RNLI Crew member, enthusiastic sea swimmer, surfer, wing-foiler, and sailor, with a passion for improving the state of the marine environment.

Some words from Giles, “The tide is turning on public attitudes to the state of our rivers and coastal waters. Now is the time to bring communities together to demand safer, cleaner, and healthier waters for us all. I couldn’t be more excited to be joining this excellent and standout team at what feels like a tipping point in marine issues.”

We can’t wait to have him join the cause at Surfers Against Sewage. 🙌

💩 There were 1559 sewage pollution alerts in April💩

Across the UK, monitored by our Safer Seas and Rivers Service app.

For the ocean,

🌊 Jade, Communications Officer