Ecover Blue Mile makes a triple splash!

Two flagship events and one big weekend planned for this summer’s mass participation event that gets the nation immersed in our wonderful blue environment.

Registration has gone live for the Ecover Blue Mile flagship events at Weymouth and Plymouth with a new programme of activities suitable for absolutely everyone to get involved. This is the first time that a full programme is taking place in Weymouth as well as Plymouth, giving more people than ever before the chance to enter the Blue Mile and support the Marine Conservation Society’s crucial work protecting our seas, shores and wildlife.

In addition to this year’s flagship events, schools, colleges and community groups across the UK are being encouraged to Go Blue! and do something amazing for our seas. The Go Blue! big weekend will kick off on Friday 6 to Sunday 8 June with celebrities joining in the fun to help raise awareness about the need to protect our seas.

Olympic Canoe Slalom Champion, Tim Baillie is lending his support and agreed to kick off the Go Blue! campaign by leading a combined Ecover and MCS team 60 miles across Scotland in the Great Glen Paddle. The team will be raising money for MCS and promoting the work of the charity as they paddle from Fort William to Inverness on 22-23 March.

Tim Baillie said: “I’m really pleased to lend my support and be part of Team Go Blue! The Great Glen is an iconic stretch of water linking the east and west coasts of Scotland and I hope we can inspire people across the UK to join in and be part of the Go Blue! big weekend.”

This year, the Ecover Blue Mile Weymouth will take place on the 19-20 July and will feature a brand new open water swim and aquatriathlon for both individuals and teams. There will also be a paddle sports course for kayakers and stand up paddleboarders with the second edition of the UK Naish SUP paddle series taking place on Sunday 20 July.

The Ecover Blue Mile Plymouth returns for a fourth time taking place on the 13-14 September as part of the Ocean City Festival.

Ecover Blue Mile event manager, Teresa Page said expanding the event with a full programme in Weymouth was a natural progression: “It’s such a brilliant venue, with a great beach and waterfront. We were blown away by the welcome we received by everyone last year when we put on the water sport taster sessions.

“We can’t wait to get back there with a full programme this year. Families and children can try out the paddle sports and there’s also a chance for people to be competitive in the races. The one mile swim is brand new for Weymouth and we’re looking for lots of people to come and enjoy the course.”

Visit www.thebluemile.com for more information and to register to take part.