joyful scenes from a fourth Ocean School at Arpoador Beach, a photo contest in Rio, island cleanups and a recycled raft regatta in the Seychelles, plus a river of perspective from Parley Chile.
Photo by: Henrique Foca
Autumn above the Equator, spring below. This season is a catalyzing time for solutions in the movement to protect our planet and it’s largest life-support system, the oceans. As we navigate new rhythms and routines and spin towards another year’s end, we’re reflecting on the imperative work of change and what role we can each play in necessary transformation.
All year round, Parley teams carry on the work of protecting coastlines, rivers, coral atolls and islands from the threat of plastic pollution through direct action and education initiatives that strengthen the most powerful force for positive change: community. Here’s a closer look at some recent highlights from our global teams.
BRAZIL
Photo by: Henrique Foca
Photo by: Henrique Foca
Arpoador Ocean School
Parley and Arpoador Surf Club, in partnership with Cidades Invisíveis, held the fourth edition of the Arpoador Ocean School on September 26. The initiative combines ocean education with water sports and hands-on experiences to inspire a new generation of Ocean Guardians. This year’s event brought together around 50 youth from social projects for a day of ocean education, sports, culture, and conservation, all led by local educators, biologists, lifeguards, Ocean Ambassadors, volunteers, and partners.
The day included surf lessons, ocean and beach safety activities, and a beach clean-up to connect learning with community action. A big thanks to presenting sponsor H.Stern, and to B&B Hotels and Habitare, partners of Cidades Invisíveis, for the additional support.
Parley x Rio Photo Contest
The Parley Brazil crew also recently held a third event in collaboration with the Rio Photo Contest—this time with a new social-impact partner, Cades Social. The competition was held at Grumari Beach, one of Rio de Janeiro’s protected coastal areas. On the significance of the locale, Thais Goncales, Director of Parley Brazil, said “the intimate setting allowed for more meaningful interactions with each participant, creating space for conversations, questions, and personal connections throughout the experience.”
Adding to the hands-on experience, LEV—an ongoing contributor to Parley Brazil—joined the event as a sponsor and brought a LEV x Parley collaborative e-bike for participants to take for a spin. Every bike sold supports more cleanups across Brazilian coastline. While no amount of cleaning up will solve the complex threat of marine plastic pollution, each is a powerful tool for change; they bring people together, remove immediate threats to marine wildlife, and deliver life-shifting perspective that helps us carry the movement forward.
CHILE
“The most valuable result is not the tonnage, it's the people. Every volunteer who intercepts a piece of plastic goes home seeing their surroundings differently.”
Rodrigo Farias Moreno, Parley Chile
Photo by: Rodrigo Farias Moreno
Photo by: Rodrigo Farias Moreno
Photo by: Rodrigo Farias Moreno
On World Rivers Day, September 26, Parley Chile held two massive, simultaneous river cleanups on opposite sides of Santiago, at Colina and Talagante, in collaboration with Banco de Chile. 500 volunteers joined the effort, removing a whopping 5.3 tons of waste, more than double what the team had initially anticipated. Says Rodrigo Farias Moreno, Director of Parley Chile: “That number says a lot about how much trash is building up in our rivers, and about how much a committed community can do in a single morning. This partnership with Banco de Chile shows that when a company is truly committed, the impact multiplies.”
Since 2023, Parley Chile and Banco de Chile have visited 21 locations together, mobilized more than 2,000 volunteers, and removed over 27 tons of waste from Chile's beaches, rivers and wetlands. “This year we are focusing on rivers, because the ocean begins long before the coastline: much of the trash that reaches the sea travels through our watersheds first. But the most valuable result is not the tonnage, it's the people. Every volunteer who intercepts a piece of plastic goes home seeing their surroundings differently, and that shift in habits is what truly protects our ecosystems. That's why consistency is key.”
Parley Chile also kicked off spring workshops at the Parley Air Station, beginning with a Talk from Diego Ignacio, known online as Diego de las Nubes (Diego Clouds). The evening gathered 150 people to the Escuela del Océano, our community hub and joint effort with Fundacion Rompientes.
SEYCHELLES
To mark World Clean Up Day, Parley Seychelles led four island efforts across Mahe. Volunteers gathered to take action and intercept debris at Anse La Mouche (5.13 kg of debris); Au Cap (115.5 kg intercepted), Baie Lazarre (104.99 kg), and Anse Royale (120.07 kg ). The team extends a huge thank you to each volunteer and partner, including: Landscape and Waste Management Agency (LWMA), The Award Holders Association, Emergency crew, Rotary club of Mahe, Rotary club of Victoria, Rotary club Coco de mer, Foyez de Nazareth, and Foyez de Solitude, and our photographer Baie Lazare (@lking_photo_) for capturing the effort.
After the cleanups, the team launched into October with a recycled raft race during Family Fun Day at the annual Regatta. ‘Kartye Maron dan Bovalon’ was held in collaboration with The Roundtable Seychelles and made possible with support from the Ministry of Environment, Seychelles Yachting Association, The Seychelles Canoe Association, The Seychelles Fire and Rescue Services Agency (SFRSA), Marine Police, Coastguard and more.
Winners were judged along five categories: speed, best recycled build, creativity, team spirit, and environmental message. The roster of judges included: Alison Hoareau, Chairwoman of the Seychelles Yachting Association; Terry Mousbe, Senior Programme Development Officer at the Ministry of Environment; Meggy Thompson, Treasurer of the Seychelles Yachting Association; Dr. Ameer Ebrahim, Chairman of the Marine Conservation Society of Seychelles and Fisheries and Marine specialist; Shane Emilie, CEO of the Landscape and Waste Management Agency.
Last and so far from least, Parley Seychelles founder and director Alvania Lawen was recognized among the Queen Elizabeth II Commonwealth Trust’s 100 young leaders—a well-deserved honor for an unstoppable force of good we’re proud to have in this Parley community.
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