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Tomorrow Is Coastal Cleanup Day

Volunteers clean up an East Bay wetland. It’s a great feeling to be part of this massive annual effort. 

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Just as the sport of sailing requires harnessing the power of the wind, those who take part in it can’t help but become acutely aware of their natural surroundings. Perhaps that’s why sailors (as well as other boaters) tend to be more concerned with the state of the environment than non-boaters. So we’ll remind you that tomorrow, September 17, is the annual California Coastal Cleanup Day, when volunteers of all stripes turn out to spruce up their favorite beaches, waterside parks and waterways.

Organizers tell us that last year nearly 70,000 volunteers removed almost 1.5 million pounds of trash and recyclables from California’s beaches, lakes and waterways. But since our spectacular state has more than 2,000 miles of coastal and inland shoreline, there’s always a need for additional help. 

Young volunteers on Newport Beach: Who knew that beachcombing for trash could be so much fun? 

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If you’d like get involved, click on this link to find a cleanup opportunity near you, or click here for links to county organizers.

We were impressed to learn that the California Coastal Cleanup is our state’s largest annual volunteer event. It is associated with the International Coastal Cleanup — organized by the Ocean Conservancy — which is the largest volunteer event on the planet. As someone once said, "If you’re not part of the solution, then you’re part of the problem." So why not lend a hand?

"Look ma, I’m making a difference." Cub scouts join the statewide effort.

© California Coastal Commission

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In the choppy, gusty conditions yesterday on the Rolex Big Boat Series Alcatraz course, both Marstrom 32 catamarans dismasted.