The Whale Company is in the process of registering as a charity - our mission is to inspire children to think creatively about design to lead us to a more sustainable future. Through our Bottle Boards education program we teach schools and communities how to build SUPs (Stand Up Paddleboards) out of plastic bottles. We promote connection to nature through sports, the arts and craft; encouraging change in attitude and behaviour for a more sustainable world.

Plastic Pollution

Over the last ten years we have produced more plastic than in the whole of the last century! The global problem of plastic is escalating out of control - a rubbish-truck load is dumped into the ocean every minute and by 2050 there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish. Although plastic can be recycled, only 24% of the five million tonnes of plastic used in the UK every year is recycled or re-used; we urgently need to rethink how we are using plastic.

Expedition

On World Oceans Day 2017 Carlos and Carolyn of The Whale Company became the first people in the world to paddle a marathon on a SUP made out of plastic bottles. They went on to complete 12 marathons in 12 countries in Europe, catching the eye of the media to raise awareness; the plastic bottle board is a great tool to initiate a conversation about plastic pollution. This year Carlos and Carolyn will paddle the whole length of the River Thames from the source to the sea, to deliver a message in a bottle to parliament.