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From:TheBahamasWeekly.com Ministry of Tourism Updates
Bimini-Miami Blue Water Challenge to Raise Awareness of Plastics, Profile of Bimini MIAMI BEACH, FL – Bill Whiddon and Thaddeus Foote will make the first ever attempt to stand-up paddle (SUP) across the Gulf Stream, from Bimini, Bahamas to Miami, to raise awareness of the impacts of plastics in the ocean. The Bimini-Miami Blue Water Challenge marks the launch of a grueling 17-hour adventure taking paddle boarders 48 miles across the deep blue waters of the powerful Gulfstream current. The paddle boarders will have only their board, a paddle, and their wits for the journey. The intrepid paddle boarders will endure one the earth’s most powerful oceanic currents, exposure to shifting weather conditions, extreme isolation, and all the risks of open ocean navigation in order to successfully reach their destination. The trip will be the first attempt to stand-up paddle the 48 miles across the Gulf Stream. "Bimini is thrilled to be at the center of this groundbreaking event," said Anthony Stuart, head of the Bimini Tourist Office. "This daring venture raises awareness for how threatening plastics are to the ocean life that are enjoyed by divers and fishermen, and it highlights just how near the destination of Bimini is to large population centers in Florida and other parts of North America." Whiddon and Foote will launch at 3:30am on Saturday, June 9 from the docks of Bimini's Big Game Club. They are expected to arch Miami that evening, where Surfrider Foundation volunteers will celebrate their success. Whiddon, a 58-year-old creative director, and Foote, a 38-year-old environmental educator, grew up in Miami and are passionate about water sports and coastal conservation. “Nothing of this scale has ever been attempted before, much less successful, so we really are pushing the limits of the sport,” said Whiddon. “This crossing is a great opportunity to highlight the impact that plastics are having on our world’s ocean and how our actions, as a society, can make such a big difference.” added Foote. Surfrider Foundation's Miami Chapter is an official partner of the crossing and is fighting the proliferation of marine plastics through its Rise Above Plastics (R.A.P.) campaign. R.A.P. is aimed at increasing the rate of plastic recycling and reducing the release of waste into the oceans.
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