As a watersports company, we strive for sustainability in the ocean, and out.
Our passion for riding and technology inspired by nature, along with our continued exploration of incredible locations, motivates our participation in the fight to protect and help reverse the overall decline in the environmental health of our planet.
One of the leading ocean pollutants are single-use plastics, such as water bottles. This is why we recently partnered with the Sentinel Ocean Alliance and gifted almost 100 high-quality reusable water bottles to the graduates of one of the Parley Ocean Schools’ many programs. Our reusable water bottles provide an opportunity to reduce ocean plastic, one bottle at a time, and we are stoked to have them in the hands of the youth.
Below, you will find more information about the Sentinel Ocean Alliance, the local Non-profit Organisation creating ocean-based opportunities and providing environmental education for the youth of South Africa’s coastal communities…
Sentinel Ocean Alliance – Parley Ocean School
South Africa is a country rich in beauty and rife with contradictions. The infinite natural beauty and abundance of the landscape is contrasted by a stark divide between rich and poor, between those who have endless opportunities, and those who have to fight for survival. It is a place where you can never feel indifferent. Hout Bay is a microcosm of the South African reality. The breath taking scenery masks the harsh contrast between advantaged and disadvantaged communities.
The Sentinel Ocean Alliance was founded in 2018 to try and address some of these disparities, and to create opportunities for the underserved coastal communities and at-risk youth of Hout Bay.
Founder, Frank Solomon, is a professional big wave surfer who grew up on these beaches and was exposed to surfing and the ocean from a young age. He has since travelled the world in search of the biggest waves. Frank realised that he had to use his position of privilege to help create access to similar opportunities as those he had as a boy. This led him to set up Sentinel Ocean Alliance, and create a safe space on the beach for anyone from the local communities to come and learn about and develop a love for the ocean.
“We started off by establishing the Hout Bay Surf Lifesaving Club – a development club that has grown to almost 60 members and that won the prestigious Sports Charity of the Year award in 2019. We have also partnered with Waves For Change, a mental health programme that uses surfing as a means of therapy. In December 2020, with the support of Parley For The Oceans, we launched the world’s first Parley Ocean School.”
Parley Ocean School
The Parley Ocean School takes an immersive approach to environmental education – with the goal of inspiring marine conservation and empowering its next generation of leaders. Their youth programs simplify complex marine threats, covering marine and coastal pollution, the preservation of natural resources, ocean safety, ocean careers, renewable energy and resources, upcycling, recycling and how to adopt a healthy, eco-conscious lifestyle.
Having opened its doors in December 2020, with the generous support and partnership of Parley For The Oceans, they have developed and now offer a comprehensive and extensive programmes to the children who come to their school. These programmes are designed to deepen an students understanding of the issues presented, thereby creating the catalyst for real change in their lives.
The forty-foot educational container hosts sessions dedicated to deepening a physical, scientific, and cultural understanding of the marine environment through engaging materials, activities and workshops.
The programmes forge a strong love for and connection with the ocean to help create tangible impact on the lives of these children, and the health of our environment. In addition to imparting theoretical ocean knowledge, their engaging curriculum also includes many practical and hands-on activities.
The Parley Ocean School also hosts weekly guest speakers and collaborators to make this programme as stimulating and impactful as possible. The curriculum covers a range of topics, including how we are connected to the ocean, marine biodiversity, our local marine ecosystems, ocean threats, marine plastic pollution and the Parley AIR Strategy.
Empowering the young people taking part in their programs, they hope to inspire an entire generation to become more conscious, healthy, and responsible for their environment.
Learn More & Get Involved Here