Comedian Joe Lycett addresses the environmental dangers posed by disposable bodyboards in North Cornwall as part of his campaign for sustainability.
Comedian Joe Lycett has turned his attention to the environmental issue posed by cheap, disposable bodyboards, commonly referred to as ‘snappy snappy boards’. This initiative forms part of Lycett’s ongoing efforts to raise awareness about the environmental impact of such products on coastal areas, particularly in North Cornwall.
In a recent segment of his Channel 4 programme, “Joe Lycett’s Got Your Back”, Lycett visited Bude, an iconic coastal town in North Cornwall, to speak with locals about their concerns regarding these polystyrene bodyboards. Available on YouTube, the episode documents Lycett’s inquiry into the environmental consequences of these boards, which, according to residents, are frequently abandoned on beaches after minimal use. One local highlighted the issue succinctly: “People come on holiday and they buy cheap boards from the supermarkets. They used them for a few days and then they either leave them on the beach or they discard them by the bins.”
The polystyrene used in the construction of these bodyboards poses significant environmental risks as fragments can detach, polluting the shoreline and potentially harming marine wildlife. Lycett’s conversation with Martin Dorey, founder of the Bude-based 2 Minute Foundation, underscored the severity of the problem. On a walk along Summerleaze beach, Dorey collected broken pieces of polystyrene, explaining their detrimental consequences on marine life. “People buy cheap bodyboards, use them almost like a single-use item,” Dorey stated, adding that the issue escalates as the polystyrene does not biodegrade.
This advocacy aligns with the recently launched Ban the Boards campaign, initiated by CornwallLive, which aims to eliminate the prevalence of these harmful boards from local beaches. Bude has already made strides in this direction by implementing a hire scheme for durable bodyboards over the past four years. This initiative is aimed at fostering responsible enjoyment of the beach while minimising environmental impact.
To support this project, Keep Britain Tidy, through its Ocean Recovery Project, acquired £3,000 in funding to supply high-quality bodyboards from local surf shop Zuma Jay. These boards are available for hire at the Bude Sea Pool and selected holiday parks in the area, promoting sustainable usage.
Additionally, the Friends of Bude Sea Pool group (FoBSP) has introduced its own BorrowBoards scheme, allowing families and holidaymakers to borrow boards for a donation. These boards are exclusively used in the pool and returned for reuse, thereby contributing to reducing the impact of single-use plastics.
At Bude Holiday Resort, similar arrangements have been made, where guests can rent Zuma Jay branded boards for £2 per day or £10 for a week, with the proceeds donated to the FoBSP.
The focal point of these efforts reflects a broader desire to eliminate disposable products that contribute to plastic pollution, highlighting the negative implications of such consumer habits on coastal ecosystems. The discussion around banning cheap bodyboards continues as communities advocate for sustainable alternatives that align with environmental conservation objectives.
Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative mentions recent actions and specific events, such as Joe Lycett’s programme and the ongoing environmental campaigns, indicating that the content is current. No clear indications of outdated information were found.
Quotes check
Score:
5
Notes:
Quotes are present but no online sources were found for the earliest references. The lack of online confirmation might suggest these are original or recent quotes, but it’s difficult to verify without further context.
Source reliability
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative originates from a known regional news outlet, CornwallLive, which generally provides local news. However, it is not as universally recognized as major international news organizations.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
Claims about environmental impacts from disposable bodyboards and community initiatives are plausible and align with common environmental concerns. However, specific details about funding or initiatives could be further verified.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The content appears fresh, dealing with recent events and local initiatives. While source reliability is decent, quote verification is challenging without further context. Plausibility is generally high based on known environmental concerns.
