Santas to Gather at Gylly Beach for Protest Over Sewage Pollution

This Sunday, a crowd of red suits, fake beards and festive swimmers will gather on Gylly Beach in Falmouth for Santas Against Sewage, a colourful protest calling for cleaner seas and an end to sewage pollution in UK waters.

Festive Protest Planned at Gylly Beach

The event is set for Sunday 7th December 2025 at 12:30 PM and is organised by local ocean activists and volunteers from Surfers Against Sewage. Hundreds of people are expected to take part, swapping sleighs for swimsuits and joining a beach protest before heading into the water for a cold-water swim.

Participants are being encouraged to dress as Santa, raise their voices on the sand and then brave the winter sea to show their solidarity with those calling for stronger protection of the ocean year round.

Concerns Over Sewage Discharges

Jess Morris, SAS Regional Rep for Falmouth, said: “We are sick and tired of South West Water dumping raw sewage into our ocean and waterways! So we are gathering to demand change from our water companies and telling South West Water to end sewage pollution- people are becoming ill from polluted water whilst bosses profit, and we are sick of it.

“As a community of swimmers, surfers and water lovers, we need to see regulations that protect water users all year round, not just in the designated bathing season for a few weeks a year.”

The press release highlights ongoing public concern. Last year, South West Water dumped sewage in rivers, lakes and seas for over 544,000 hours. A recent report from the Environment Agency gave the company a two star rating and stated that it ‘requires improvement’. South West Water has also been asked to repay £25 million to customers for bad performance.

With warnings about water quality becoming more common, organisers hope this eye catching festive gathering will keep pressure on water companies and regulators.

Open to Everyone

Anyone can join in, whether they want to swim, surf or simply support from the shoreline. Santa suits and festive spirit are welcome.

Event Information

Date: Sunday 7th December 2025
Location: Gylly Beach, Falmouth
Time: 12:30 PM
Press contact: Jess Morris, SAS Regional Rep for Falmouth, jess.sasrep@gmail.com, 07530 848715

About Surfers Against Sewage

Surfers Against Sewage is a grassroots environmental charity based in Cornwall, founded in 1990 by surfers in St Agnes and Porthtowan. The organisation campaigns to end sewage discharge into UK bathing waters and high priority nature sites by 2030, and also works on issues including plastic pollution, climate change and marine habitat restoration. More information can be found at https://www.sas.org.uk