Considered as the first trip of its kind in the Gulf region, Kayak4Kuwait has launched its K20 Expedition from Kuwait to Oman. This expedition, though of a sporting nature, comes with a brilliant environmental twist. In collaboration with the Kuwait Environmental Public Authority (KEPA), Kayak4Kuwait wants to highlight the biodiversity and beauty of the gulf, and the potential threats to the coastal locations they will encounter along the way. With KEPA’s support and continuous commitment to the protection and improvement of Kuwait’s environment, Kayak4Kuwait hopes to provide potential solutions in order to protect and conserve all the sensitive habitats encountered.
Kayak4Kuwait’s K20 Expedition kicked off in early November. Starting from the north of Kuwait through to the Strait of Hormuz, finally ending at the Sultanate of Oman, the expedition is covering a distance of about 2,000 kilometers spanning over 60-70 days in kayaks. Their goal is simple: To raise awareness about the importance of protecting the environment for Kuwait and the Gulf’s future generations. They started their journey through the bay (Joun) by following the coast before heading out towards Kubbar Island. From there, they ended up rejoining the coast at Bnaider before heading towards the Nuweisib coastal border to travel onwards.
When we spoke to Kayak4Kuwait’s founder and group leader, Bashar Saleem Al Hunaidi, before his expedition, he said that “This campaign seeks to spread environmental education and awareness among citizens across the Gulf, while identifying the natural resources and their importance in our lives which requires us to give it the care and attention it deserves. This campaign aims to instill and build foundations of an environmentally sustainable approach to the development of the Gulf’s economy.” Bashar then added, “Kuwait’s marine environment as well as the Gulf’s remain under considerable threat due to infringements and lack of public awareness, and we hope this campaign is the starting point in raising this much needed awareness.”
The K20 Expedition’s purpose is to create awareness about Arabia’s marine environment. By traveling along the coasts of Kuwait, (possibly) Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, UAE and finally Oman, Kayak4Kuwait hopes to garner support towards the cause. With 70 percent of the Earth’s surface made up of water, Bashar and Kayak4Kuwait believe that it’s crucial to protect this huge part of our world. The Arabian Gulf alone is home to important global populations of endangered species and critical habitats! Dugongs, sharks, whale sharks and sea turtles have all suffered losses to their populations over the years. With the dying sea, the area risks huge disruptions in its multifaceted eco-system.
While the Arabian Gulf has always played a huge role in the region’s economy, culture, history and even local pastimes – there’s a lack of awareness towards its conservation. Knowing and understanding the challenges ahead of them, Kayak4Kuwait plans to raise awareness towards our sea’s present and future by: Contributing towards the enforcement of existing environmental legislations, actively influence those in charge to protect the seas as well as strive towards extensive environmental education in both schools and the workforce.
Their mission is to invite everyone out to sea and join the fun! When they’re back, you can join them in this green sport which will surely rekindle your love for the sea. You’ll experience the marine life and the water first hand while staying in shape! By kayaking around the coast, you’ll get a feel for the reality of the sea’s suffering and how this not only affects society, but can also pose as a threat to the fresh seafood we consume. With this expedition, Kayak4Kuwait is committed to raising bringing people’s attention to the state of the sea.
They’re even taking it a step further by inviting local divers, snorkelers and nature enthusiasts to join them on the expedition. By showing them the beauty that is below the surface, as well as above, Kayak4Kuwait hopes more people will join their cause in protecting the sea. You can also get involved by spreading the word, organizing a kayak meet-up and paddle out to show your support as they pass by your coastal town, and in many other ways! Follow the expedition on social media to know what you can do to help and where they’ve gotten to. After all, the sea is worth our time and effort.
To learn more about the activities of the campaign K2O Expedition sports and environmental trip, you can follow Kayak4Kuwait on Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat @KAYAK4KUWAIT. For more information, contact them at Kayak4kuwait@gmail.com.
