UBUNTU IN THE WADDEN SEA

Our SUP Charity Event „Stand Up for Ubomi“ Was a Fantastic Community Experience

Tide, weather, material, mood: everything was just right when 56 people took up their paddles on September 14, 2019, to set off from Neuharlingersiel to Wangerooge. Not in canoes, but on mega SUPs, which caused quite a stir. hildren and adults from several countries took to the water with the aim of experiencing something together, drawing attention to the work of UBOMI – and collecting donations along the way.

Mega-SUPs Are Wheelchair-Friendly and Tilt-Proof

The paddling was done on so-called mega SUPs. These special boards cannot tip over and a wheelchair can also be safely attached to them. It was important to us that as many people as possible could participate. It was great that a woman came all the way from Berlin to take advantage of this opportunity! Staff members of our main partner, the Youth Hostels between Weser and Ems, with many friends and acquaintances and some Youth Hostel guests were also part of the group. Even two dogs were there, but in the accompanying boats.

The Challenge: 16 Kilometres across the Sea

Maybe you remember: During the first SUP tour in 2018, we paddled on the Ems from Geeste to Meppen. In comparison, this year’s route between Neuharlingersiel and Wangerooge was a whole new challenge: 16 kilometres across the open sea! First, about 1,600 litres of air had to be pumped into the boards. At 12 o’clock we started at the beach of Neuharlingersiel at Windloop. Of course, everyone was equipped with life jackets and UBOMI shirts – for safety and visibility! It was also very practical that we had escort boats with us, because every now and then a board had to be pulled out of the current. After all, we wanted to arrive together at Wangeroog’s west beach. This was in sight the whole time and, despite picnic breaks along the way, we reached it in less than the planned four hours!

Party for the Heroes of Seafaring

What a reception on Wangeroog’s west beach! here and later in front of the Youth Hostel a lot of people had gathered, also African drum sounds could be heard, people were dancing. Because an employee of the hostel plays in a band, we even enjoyed live music! In addition, we had a barbecue and chilled out – what could be better after a hard day’s sporting activity? After spending the night in the Youth Hostel Wangerooge, we went back the next morning – this time by ferry.

We all Receive so much in Return

What a wonderful day! The terrific community experience has strengthened us in the fact that together you can accomplish a lot. Also for UBOMI: Around 1,500 euros were raised through participation fees and the donation box at the barbecue evening. With this money we can offer our children in the UBOMI houses a meal for a whole month!

We thank the partners who sponsored this experience and made it possible:

• The Youth Hostels in the Northwest (main partner of the projects)
• Aktion Mensch
• SOV Lüneburg e.V.
• Nature-Guides
• Landessportbund Niedersachsen
• 360 Grad Outdoor Education Team
• DJH-Stiftung

A special thanks goes to those who – through their support – made this event so special:

• To the Youth Hostel Wangerooge for the organisation of a fantastic paddlers party and a superb barbecue, the accommodation and a wonderful all-round care of the participants
• To the Youth Hostel Esens-Bensersiel for the invitation for all the long-distance travellers to stay the night before, the hospitality and the coffee service at the beach
• To „Dizzy Heights“ for a brilliant live concert which had heated us up quite a bit and which was a great gift for Ubomi
• To Nature-Guides for the professional guidance across the North Sea and for the fact that we always come up with crazy ideas together for a good cause.
• To all fellow paddlers who made this event to a very special community experience