Portrush's West Strand one of the venues for paddle out protest against sewage discharge

The protests have been coordinated by Surfers Against Sewage (SAS), who have rallied thousands of water users for protests at local beaches and rivers, spanning locations from Cornwall to Edinburgh and the Causeway Coast.

Giles Bristow, CEO of Surfers Against Sewage, said: “This year offers an opportunity to turn our collective anger into action and end the sewage scandal, with panicked politicians in listening mode, desperate to ride the waves of popular sentiment.

"A general election is imminent, and the public are out on the beachfronts and riverbanks making it clear that the issue of sewage pollution is at the top of the agenda. Ahead of the election, all parties need to show people genuine and quantifiable commitments to eliminate sewage pollution, or suffer the consequences.

“Thousands are protesting on the water this weekend to let politicians, regulators and water companies know that the public aren’t going to let them wriggle out of demands for clean seas and rivers. We’re calling for plans that are ambitious enough to end sewage pollution in high-priority nature sites and the waters we surf, swim and paddle in by 2030, putting people and nature before profit. We won’t tolerate this broken system any longer.”

Double Gold medal-winning Olympian Dame Kelly Holmes, who will be paddling out with protesters in Brighton, said:“I love nothing more than getting out into the open water on my paddle-board - it does wonders for my mental health, and there's such a sense of community amongst those who use our wild waterways for sport and recreation.

“But this incredibly special pastime has been tainted for all of us by the persistent risk of getting sick from pollution. The poor state of our rivers and seas is shocking and infuriating. Whole generations are being deprived of the right to safely enjoy the benefits that blue spaces offer. Our waterways are for us and should be here to enjoy as they are so important for our collective health and wellbeing. Events costing thousands are getting cancelled. To see our rivers and seas being treated so appallingly by those responsible for looking after them is nothing short of a national scandal.

“I’m paddling out with Surfers Against Sewage and thousands of water-lovers across the country because I’m passionate about our waterways, I’m angry about what’s being done to them, and I want the polluters and those in power to hear our demands to end sewage pollution now.”

Paddle-outs will be taking place in the majority of water company catchments this weekend including Northern Ireland Water, where discharge figures are unavailable due to a lack of monitoring.

The Portrush paddle out protest will take place at the West Strand Beach at 9.30am on Saturday, May 18.

Surfers Against Sewage said: “Wax those boards. Paint those placards. Get your swimsuits on. 2024 is the year for change. Get ready to make waves and take a stand against sewage pollution in our biggest national day of action yet.”

For further information or to register participation in the event, log onto www.sas.org.uk