We are proud to announce that we are partnering with the world class SailGP to host a series of exciting free activities and experiences for all to enjoy ahead and during what is widely regarded as one of the world’s most impressive sailing races.
SailGP is taking place in the newly declared Plymouth Sound National Marine Park, which is being hailed as the perfect venue for the UK leg of the race. We look forward to bringing our programme of Ocean optimist experiences to many different audiences.
Schools & Education : Free Virtual Lessons
We have teamed up with STEM Crew and the Great Britain SailGP Team to host three completely free live lessons about seagrass, photosynthesis, the carbon cycle and STEM careers from the National Marine Aquarium on the 12th, 13th and 14th July.
All three lessons will involve interactive work for students in the classroom and questions can be sent in for the presenters to answer during the lesson.
Youth & Community: Meet the Marine Park
Working with Plymouth City Council, we are hosting several “Meet the Marine Park” sessions. The three-day programme is open to young people aged 16-25 living in Plymouth and will be to hopefully connect new audiences to the amazing benefits of Plymouth Sound. We will be visiting Drake’s Island, exploring the National Marine Aquarium, heading to Mount Batten, the Military dockyards of the Tamar and practising our swing on the Treasure Island golf course!
Email learning@oceanconservationtrust.org for an information pack and application form today.
Public & Conservation: Fan Race Village
We are very excited to be hosting an Ocean Conservation Zone during SailGP weekend in the fan village. Located on Plymouth Sound, our team of Ocean Discovery Rangers will be on hand to engage and enthuse crowds with fun Ocean interactive activities including;
- Underwater Plymouth Sound National Marine Park VR experience – Meet the Marine Park.
- Interactive games about plastic pollution to engage visitors to the race village with the Preventing Plastic Pollution project – an international project that seeks to understand and reduce the impacts of plastic pollution in the marine environment.
- Meet the locals – the OCT will have a display with some of our amazing local species artefacts so visitors can connect further with the Ocean world on their doorstep. They will then be invited to take part in our new ThinkOcean Challenge!
- The OCT and ReMEDIES team will run an interactive stand within the space provided to engage the public about the wonders of seagrass. This will be a hands-on experience making wildflower seed bags that can be taken home to grow. The making of the seed bags will replicate the method used to create seagrass seed bags that have been deployed into Plymouth Sound by ReMEDIES to restore seagrass habitats.
Street Clean Ups
We will be running two street cleans over two days to collect data for Preventing Plastics Pollution on the 17th and 18th July at 10:30am starting at the Mayflower Steps.
Marine Mammal Spotting
We will place trained observers situated on Drakes Island to coordinate the effort to mitigate ship strikes on marine mammals during the race and act as a central point of contact for the over 600 boats expected in the sound.
Seagrass Restoration
As the Ocean is SailGP’s race track, they are focused on leaving positive impacts in every city that hosts the race. That’s why they’re shining a light on our seagrass restoration project, where we’re currently looking to restore seagrass meadows for animals to thrive, and help sink carbon.
We hope you choose to join us over the race week for one of our interactive opportunities!