Porthtowan bar hosts Welsh eco-surf movie (From Falmouth Packet)

Porthtowan bar hosts Welsh eco-surf movie

10:17am Friday 3rd October 2008

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Award-winning Welsh Filmmakers Helen Iles and Anne Gallagher were joined by crowds from the surfing community at a screening of their latest film "On the Push" at the Blue Bar in Porthtowan on Friday 3rd October 2008.

With guest appearances from local campaigners Surfers Against Sewage and surf champion Sarah Bentley, the film is produced by Undercurrents Productions and tells the story of how an ordinary surfer girl from Wales becomes an eco-activist.

The film follow Anne's journey from Porthcawl to Cornwall, Spain and Switzerland as she learns about the serious threat of climate change- and how a surfer can help protect the marine environment.

Filmed on the Welsh coast, Cornwall and Spain, the eco-surf film highlights the hundreds of bathing beaches that have been contaminated with increased levels of sewage as the wet summer increases pressure on water treatment systems and forces millions of extra litres of toxic waste to be pumped into the sea.

The aim of the film is to raise the profile of the problems faced by surfers such as increased water pollution following summer floods. She said: “Increased rainfall has a massive impact on sewage systems.

This year, Environment Agency tests have identified an increase in coliform bacteria, which are abundant in human and animal faeces, at 310 testing sites. This bacteria leaves surfers exposed to gastroenteritis and vomiting. “ In On the Push Chris Hines, founder of Surfers Against Sewage and recent MBE, agrees that climate change is an issue that everyone should be engaging with: “Climate change is a huge challenge for us all, but we’re an incredibly resourceful species. We can solve it, we just need to get together and do it.”

“With stunning surf photography, funky music and beautiful locations, On the Push offers an approach to global warming which is enjoyable and accessible, but also inspiring,” added Pauline Burt, chief executive of the Film Agency for Wales.

For more information visit www.onthepush.org.

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