Aim

A guy and his van. Two months, 30+ Scottish beaches, tons of marine litter. How much will be recycled?

A guy and his van. Two months, 30+ Scottish beaches, tons of marine litter.How much will be recycled?

What is this about?

Bethy (the surf van) and I (Michal) are going to drive along the Scottish coast, stopping at as many beaches as we can, to clean them and, weather permitting, surf them as well.

We going to try to recycle most of the rubbish we collect using the local council’s disposal. But when there aren’t any local recycling facilities available, Bethy will vanfully lug the rubbish to the next one we can find.

I’m also going to use this journey to make a documentary on the fragile ecosystem of the northern Scottish coast, told through the eyes of a sustainable surfer and his van.

Why are we doing this?

There’s just so much litter about that it almost feels like not enough people care about this beautiful landscape. I want to prove that there are.

Some of the bigger beaches, the ones closer to cities and the more popular ones, get a lot of attention. They have regular volunteering programs to help keep them clean. But some of the smaller, more remote, arguable much more breathtaking beaches are left abandoned, and dirty.

I want to give them the attention and TLC that they deserve..

Who's part of this?

There’s Bethy - the surf van.

And there’s me.

Some of my friends have promised to join me during different stages of this journey as well. (See the provisional itinerary below)

I’m also talking to other groups to see if I can come to some sort of formal arrangement with them, in terms of getting some dates and volunteers sorted.

I’m currently in conversation with the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) about organising beach clean parties. And I’m talking to Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) to see whether any of their members might be interested in pitching in.

I’m going to be getting in touch with the local councils of the beaches I’m traveling to, to let them know what I’m planning and to see how they can help with waste collection and recycling, and to spread the word in case any potential volunteers want to join me.

If you’re reading this and are intrigued by the idea, or just want to come to an awesome beach to surf and help out a little, you’re more than welcome to join me. Just get in touch!

When is this journey happening?

1st June 2014 to 31st July 2014

Where am I going?

The wild, northern Scottish coast (see the provisional itinerary below)

What will I have to show for all this?

Most importantly – Cleaner beaches on the north Scottish coast.An in-depth survey at each beach to determine its current state and map the nature of pollution.I will share this data publicly and will create an interactive data visualisation to clearly illustrate the health of Scottish beaches.I will share my data with the MCS and SAS for them to use as a baseline for any future beach health surveys they might wish to conduct.Raised environmental awareness within local communities.A blog and short documentary film telling the story of my experiences.And, the warm, fuzzy feeling of giving back in a positive, constructive way. With with an element of adventure thrown in!

What's all this going to cost?

The estimated cost of the whole project significantly exceeds the target of £3.333 that I’m asking for on Crowdfunder (about three-times). But we all know that three is the magic number, right?

Why do I need your support and what will happen with your donation?

I’m about to quit my job to follow my dream of traveling, learning and participating more fully in my local communities. I’m going to be using my savings to self-finance this expedition, but they won’t cover everything.

Any funds I raise will be used directly in service of the projects aims:

• Surveying beach sites.
• Community outreach.
• Documentary equipment.
• Logistics expenses for some of the remoter parts of the Scottish coast.

At the end of the trip I will sell the documentary equipment and any remaining supplies. All cash obtained from this sale will be donated in two equal halves to the MCS and SAS.

Why get involved as an individual?

To support a guy who wants to make a beautiful part of this planet a better place.To help clean the stunning coastal environment of Northern Scotland.To be part of something good and have something cool to talk about.To see yourself in the documentary.

How to get involved as an individual?

Spread the word, it doesn't cost anything.Join us on one of the beach cleaning parties.Any financial help from individuals is gratefully accepted.

Why to get involved as an organisation?

To support a guy who wants to make a beautiful part of this planet a better place.To show your customers and stakeholders that you care about the local environment.To get your business name / logo / advertorial on the blog site.To get your business name / logo on selected promo materials.To get your business name / logo on Bethy!To get credited as sponsor in the documentary.

(I’m happy to talk about exclusivity if that is a proposition you would like to explore)

How to get involved as an organisation?

Spread the word, it doesn't cost anything.Provide equipment, supporting materiel, clothing, stickers or other logistical support for the project.

How will I raise awareness / promote the campaign?

Friends and colleagues: I will spread the word through my personal connections.Promo materials: stickers, car stickers, leaflets / postersLocal media: newspapers, radio, TV, councilsDocumentary: A short film that I will submit to film festivals around the world.Social media: Regular updates on my blog / Instagram / Facebook / Twitter. I will share my progress and adventures with everyone.

Social media commitment:

Twitter – 3 tweets per dayFacebook – 1 post per dayInstagram – 3 photos a weekBlog – 1 post per week (300 words approx.)

Please note: There will be remote areas that receive have no mobile signal, and I will not be able to update my social feeds during these brief periods.

Provisional trip plan:

Week 1 – Lunan Bay, Aberdeen, Cruden Bay, Fraserburgh, BanffWeek 2 – Inverness, Dornoch, Wick, Dunnet BayWeek 3 – Orkneys, ThursoWeek 4 – Melvich, Strathy, Armadale, Farr Bay, Torrisdale BayWeek 5 – Sandwood Beach, Ullapool, StornowayWeek 6 – Isle of LewisWeek 7 – North Uist, South Uist, BarraWeek 8 – Isle of Skye, Isle of Mull

I’m currently working on a detailed plan for each beach clean and survey with the MSC, local communities and local councils, and will send an update for each beach once the plans have been finalised.

About me

Hi, I’m Michal. I’m a 32 year old adventurer, who enjoys the great outdoors and cares about the environment.

I currently work as a software developer, but am due to stop working at the end of May to travel and learn about the specific environmental issues facing the northern Scottish coast.

Although I’ve traveled extensively around Scotland, this will be my first big project to learn about, map and clean some of the beautiful, wild and remote beaches on the Scottish coast.

I’m originally from the Czech Republic and came to the UK to explore its natural beauty and local culture. I’ve lived in Bristol, Newquay and Edinburgh and have fallen in love with Scotland. So much so that I’ve now been here for nine years and have become a British citizen.

I believe that when people work together to support a good cause, then great results can be achieved.

About Bethy

Bethy is from the high-top long-wheel-base Ford Transit family. We have had some great adventures together, but nothing as ambitious as this. I think she’s looking forward to this latest adventure more than I am.

Bethy has allowed me to modify her with a special, separated compartment that will contain the rubbish we collect in some of the remoter parts of Scotland, for transport to the closest recycling centre. She hasn't made a fuss about this at all.

Media coverage

Scotsman newspapers on 28th April:http://www.scotsman.com/news/environment/sustainable-surfer-to-clean-scotland-s-beaches-1-3390661BBC Radio Scotland: http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/player/b0439j20?t=2547BBC online: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-27501902

Please note that this is a personal project of Michal Czernik and I am not fundraising for or affiliated with Surf Aid International.

This project closed unsuccessfully on 29th May 2014