Newquay’s Young Eco-Warriors Lead the Charge Against Beach Pollution with Innovative Bodyboard Recycling Event

Tuesday, 4 November 2025 05:00

The Mayor of Newquay and Cornwall Councillor, Drew Creek, is proud to announce a groundbreaking community event this Thursday, uniting local schoolchildren, environmental groups, and a former UK champion to tackle the scourge of polystyrene bodyboard pollution on Newquay’s iconic beaches.

The “Bodyboard Breakdown” event, hosted at Newquay Junior Academy on Thursday, 6th November at 11:00am, will see over 40 children work alongside volunteers to deconstruct dozens of discarded and broken bodyboards. These boards, collected over the summer by the ‘Newquay Clean’ stakeholder group from recycling stations at three local beaches, will be stripped down to their component parts for safe recycling by Keep Britain Tidy.

This hands-on workshop is more than just a recycling drive; it is a powerful lesson in environmental stewardship. The children will learn firsthand about the harmful impact of single-use polystyrene boards, which break down into dangerous microplastics and pose a serious risk to marine life.

Adding a star quality to the educational element, former UK Bodyboard Champion Rob Barber will be joining the Mayor and other special guests. Mr. Barber will share his expertise with the pupils and local businesses, highlighting the critical importance of choosing high-quality, reusable bodyboards over cheap, disposable alternatives.

This event marks a significant escalation in the ongoing campaign led by Newquay Clean—a coalition including Newquay Town Council, Cornwall Council, the Newquay Marine Group, and local councillors—to protect the local environment and enhance water safety.

“This summer, our community came together to reinstate bodyboard recycling stations, and the response was overwhelming,” said Drew Creek, Mayor of Newquay and Cornwall Councillor. “Now, we’re taking the next logical step. By educating our children and engaging with retailers, we are attacking this problem at its source. We are determined to cease the sale of these environmentally destructive polystyrene boards, which are not only harmful to our ecosystem but are also unsafe in Newquay’s often ferocious riding conditions.”

The event is supported by Newquay BID, which is working to encourage local retailers to stock safer, more sustainable alternatives. The goal is to foster a collective shift away from products that damage Newquay’s precious coastal environment and jeopardise visitor safety.

Event Summary:

· What: Bodyboard Breakdown: Community Recycling & Education Event

· When: 11:00am, Thursday, 6th November

· Where: Newquay Junior Academy

· Who: The Mayor Drew Creek, over 40 schoolchildren, ex-UK Bodyboard Champion Rob Barber, volunteers from Newquay Clean, Newquay BID, and other local stakeholders.

· Visuals: Excellent photo and video opportunities of children deconstructing boards, interactive educational sessions with Rob Barber, and the sorted materials ready for recycling.

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