At the beginning of June, I helped organize the 1^st Paddle for the Planet in Abu Dhabi with the ADOW surf ski club and despite the unusual windy weather plenty of paddlers of all kinds showed up to take part. This included SUPs, surfskis, kayaks and dragon boaters. Paddle for the Planet is a worldwide initiative that started in Dubai and in cooperation with World Environment Day helping to raise awareness about our oceans and protecting them. This year, money will go to support a marine wildlife reserve in Indonesia. There were around 50 people in Abu Dhabi paddling and at least twice as many in Dubai, together a great showing for the UAE.