13 Mar 2013

Down Under Series: Clean water supported at the Sydney World Rowing Cup

Reading Time: 2 Minutes

The strategic alliance between World Rowing and WWF goes back to 2011 when the partnership was formalised. Motivated by the clean water message, World Rowing saw a perfect fit with one of the main priorities of WWF – protecting freshwater ecosystems.

_o4n0318 — Owen Symington (b), Joshua Hicks, Louis Snelton and Timothy Masters (s) racing for Australia in the under-23 men’s fours heats at the 2012 World Rowing Under 23 Championships in Trakai, Lithuania.

In Australia WWF carries out critical freshwater conservation work and one of the main focuses is Australia’s unique Great Barrier Reef. WWF’s policy manager for freshwater, Sean Hoobin says, “The Great Barrier Reef and the turtles that inhabit it rely on clean water but are under threat from increasing water pollution and unprecedented coastal development. WWF is working with farmers to reduce the amount of pollution running off farms into the Great Barrier Reef and campaigning for governments to control major industrial developments that pollute and damage the Reef.”

WWF will be present at the Samsung World Rowing Cup. They will have an onsite presence with activities including:
–   A free competition to test your water knowledge. Winners will be rewarded with unique WWF prizes.
–   A social media kiosk where visitors can upload instant images of themselves supporting WWF and its iconic Panda.
–   Hear all about what you can do to keep water clean and why it’s so important for rowers and turtles.
–   Watch captivating video highlighting WWF’s ongoing work on its freshwater programme.

487977_10152699698325651_1546709564_n — Environmental considerations have been given utmost priority during the Sydney International Regatta Centre’s design. Native aquatic plants and Australian bass fish have been added to the lakes to help maintain the ecosystems, wetlands have been established to provide natural habitat to water birds, and more than 30,000 native trees and shrubs have been planted to ensure the area’s regeneration is continued.

World Rowing and WWF together stress the importance of clean water for good health. A clean and healthy catchment is essential to a safe and sustainable water supply and human health.

Rowers rely on clean water for rowing and are seen as ambassadors for the clean water programme. Rowers can keep water clean by disposing of litter responsibly, drinking from a re-usable water bottle, and preventing detergent water from entering drains and waterways when cleaning your boat. Spectators can also help keep water clean by disposing of litter responsibly and drinking from a re-usable water bottle.

The Samsung World Rowing Cup I will take place at the Sydney International Regatta Centre in Penrith from 22 – 24 March, 2013.

To find out more about WWF Australia and its work visit wwf.org.au

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