PRESS STATEMENT
ADVENTURER TO RIVERBOARD ORANGE RIVER FROM SOURCE TO SEA IN ORDER TO RAISE
AWARENESS OF WATER QUALITY AND WATER POLLUTION
Cape Town, 20 March 2013. Self-confessed adventure junkie and Cape Town resident, Ray D. Chaplin
(32 years) will be attempting a feat no one thought possible when he sets off on Easter Sunday to
complete the second longest riverboarding expedition of all time.
Chaplin, a computer network engineer by profession, will be riverboarding the entire length (2 300 kms)
of the Orange River, South Africa’s longest river, from source to sea in an attempt to raise awareness of
South Africa’s water quality and the threat of water pollution.
“I hope to have completed my mission within 5 months and reach Alexander Bay by early August,” he
says. According to Chaplin, he will be travelling solo and without any support or back up team to assist
him. Instead, he will only be relying on his 3 mm wetsuit and plastic riverboard for safety and the
kindness of local farmers and communities to resupply his food and water along the journey.
“I will be starting my swim at the source of the Orange River high up in the Maluti Mountains on the
eastern border of Lesotho, and hope to cover approximately 20 kms per day,” Chaplin says.
When asked what some of the dangers are that he will be facing, Chaplin says extreme temperatures
and chronic fatigue are his major concerns. “However, these threats are nothing in comparison to the
threat our marine environment is facing due to pollution”, Chaplin says.
“Thanks to the financial support of institutions such as Plastics|SA and Nampak Rigid Plastics who are
sponsoring my quest, I am able to convey the message to people around the world that what we are
doing inland ultimately has an effect on the water sources around the country. Trash travels to the
ocean by way of storm drains and waterways, ending up in our country’s rivers before making its way to
the ocean. This entire fragile network is connected. Even litter that falls from our hands hundreds of
kilometers away, eventually finds its way to the ocean”.
more 2/…
adventure swim two
““Ray’s efforts and message echo the mission of Plastics|SA’s
Cleanup and recycle “Berg2beach” campaign which aims to
encourage hikers, mountaineers, fishermen, canoeists, kayakers
and divers to ensure that our country is clean and green by
showing a commitment and support of the plastics industries
environmental initiatives.
How
recycling”, says Douw Steyn, Director: Sustainability of Plastics|SA.
“Like so many sports people out there, Ray will be relying on
enable
Ray
Chaplin to complete his swim:


Ray will be visiting schools and municipalities along the route to
educate school learners and to create awareness for plastics
plastics


Riverboard: made from
LLD-PE
Helmet: contains PP foam
inner
Fins: made from
thermoplastics elastomer
Wetsuit: made from
neoprene
plastics to practice his sport. From his riverboard to his helmet,
wetsuit and fins – everything is made from plastics. However, we also have a responsibility to keep our
environment clean in order to ensure the sustainability and beauty of our environment for many
generations to come”.
Ray will be giving regular updates on his progress via Facebook (www.facebook.com/raychaplin) and
Twitter (@raychaplin). Alternatively, visit www.plasticsinfo.co.za for regular updates and photographs.
ENDS
Issued on behalf of Plastics|SA by Aim Marketing & Communications Consultants
For more information or to arrange interviews, contact 021 531 0313
INVITATION TO THE MEDIA
Join us on World Water Day,
Friday 22 March 2013
When we will introduce Ray D. Chaplin who will be swimming the entire length of the Orange River in the
Plastics|SA-Nampak Rigid Plastics Orange River Project
Plastics: An Adventure
Let’s explore!
Time: 09:30 for 10:00
Venue: Tranquility Room at the Two Oceans Aquarium,
V & A Waterfront