A Brighton paddle out protest will take place at Brighton Beach by the West Pier on Saturday 16 May 2026, as local residents, swimmers, surfers, paddleboarders and campaigners gather to demand urgent action on sewage pollution.
Organised as part of Surfers Against Sewage’s UK-wide Paddle-Out Protest, the Brighton event will begin at 10.30amand is expected to bring together hundreds of people from across the city.
The protest is one of more than 50 taking place across the UK, with communities calling for cleaner seas, rivers and lakes, greater transparency, and a water system that puts public health and the environment before profit.
The event is free to attend, family friendly and open to all. People can take part from the water on a surfboard or paddleboard, join a sea dip, or stand together on the beach in solidarity.
Joining local campaigners on the day will be Giles Bristow, Chief Executive of Surfers Against Sewage, who will stand alongside Brighton Ocean Activists as they take to the water and shoreline.
Also attending will be Julie Maughan, whose daughter Heather Preen died from E. coli after visiting a Devon beach in 1999. Actors from the docu-drama Dirty Business, which told their stories, including Tom McKay and Posy Sterling, are also expected to join the Brighton protest.
The action comes amid growing public anger over sewage pollution, with campaigners warning that swimmers, surfers, paddleboarders and families continue to face the risk of polluted water around the UK’s coastline.
For Brighton, where the sea is central to the city’s identity, the issue feels especially immediate. The beach is not only a visitor attraction; it is a place where people swim, surf, paddle, volunteer, connect and find wellbeing.
The Brighton paddle out protest is about more than one morning on the beach. It is part of a wider national campaign calling for long-term change in how the UK manages and protects its waterways.
For many people in Brighton and Hove, the sea is woven into everyday wellbeing. It is where people exercise, recover, socialise, volunteer and feel connected to the place they live.
When sewage pollution affects those waters, it does not only damage the environment. It disrupts routines, communities and people’s confidence in whether the sea is safe to use.
Campaigners are calling for a water system that puts people before profit. For swimmers, surfers, paddleboarders and families, the question is simple: people should be able to enjoy the sea without fear of pollution.
The protest aims to highlight the real-world impact of sewage discharges on communities who use the water regularly.
Brighton has a long history of activism, environmental awareness and community-led action. By joining more than 50 Paddle-Out Protests across the UK, the city is adding its voice to a national demand for cleaner water and stronger accountability.
One of the strengths of the Brighton paddle out protest is its accessibility. People do not need to be experienced surfers or swimmers to take part. They can paddle, dip, stand on the beach, bring family or simply show support from the shoreline.
A paddle-out is designed to be seen. Boards, swimmers and campaigners gathering in the water create a striking visual statement, turning public concern into collective action.
At a time when campaigners say communities are tired of delays and excuses, the Brighton event is intended to show that the public wants urgent change.
Stuart Davies: “Brighton’s sea is at the heart of our city”
Stuart Davies, Surfers Against Sewage Brighton organiser, said:
“Brighton’s sea is at the heart of our city. It’s where people swim, surf, paddle, volunteer, connect and find wellbeing — yet year after year we’re still seeing sewage pollution affecting the waters we love.
“Many of us here have personally experienced the frustration of cancelled swims, cancelled surf therapy sessions, and not knowing whether the water is safe.
“On May 16, Brighton is joining communities across the UK to say enough is enough. This is about protecting public health, protecting our coastline, and sending a clear message that people must come before payouts.”
Giles Bristow, Chief Executive of Surfers Against Sewage, said:
“Communities like Brighton are leading the fight for cleaner waters. People should be able to swim, surf and enjoy the sea without worrying about sewage pollution.
“This year’s Paddle-Out Protests are about showing government, regulators and polluters that the public will not accept another year of excuses while sewage continues to contaminate our blue spaces.”
Event: Brighton Paddle-Out Protest
Location: West Pier, Brighton Beach
Date: Saturday 16 May 2026
Time: 10.30am
Cost: Free
Who can attend: Everyone welcome
Suitable for families: Yes
Organiser: Surfers Against Sewage Brighton
People can sign up and find out more through the event page:
Brighton Paddle-Out Protest Facebook event
Surfers Against Sewage is also urging people to sign the People Before Payouts petition, calling on the UK Government to end the current privatised water industry:
People Before Payouts petition
For more information about Surfers Against Sewage, visit:
www.sas.org.uk
Brighton’s relationship with the sea is not abstract. It shapes the city’s culture, its economy, its health and its sense of identity.
From early morning swimmers and surf therapy groups to families, paddleboarders, beach volunteers and visitors, the water is part of what makes Brighton feel like Brighton.
That is why the Brighton paddle out protest matters. It is not simply a campaign image or a national talking point. It is a local community standing together to protect the water it loves.
For more local news, culture and environmental stories from across Brighton and the South East, explore SALT’s latest stories at saltmag.co.uk.
