Operation Crayweed - Shivering for a good cause

Some of Sydney’s favourite sports stars braved the cold at Coogee Beach in August to help protect our precious coastline, taking the plunge in support of seaweed restoration and to raise much-needed money in the process. 

It was all part of Operation Crayweed, a not-for-profit organisation of scientists, divers and passionate volunteers that plant native seaweed on Sydney reefs where it once flourished. It’s a long-term, proven environmental project that works to re-establish essential marine habitat, helping the city’s world-famous beaches survive and thrive.

For decades, elite and amateur athletes have taken the plunge at Bondi or Coogee, wading in the cold water to help their tired bodies recover from the rigours of professional sport. The Ultimate Beach Recovery Session was designed to help athletes give a little back to the ocean and help it recover its former glory. 

Athletes on hand to learn about crayweed and get hands-on in some underwater gardening included:

• AFL/AFLW stars Jesse Hogan, Toby Greene, Tarni Evans, Izzy Huntington & Nicola Barr from the GWS GIANTS.
• Lisa Steane from the Sydney Swans.
• Footballers Teigan Collister and Margaux Chauvet from Sydney FC.
• Jasmine Strange, Samantha Economos and Brydie Parker from the Roosters NRLW team.
• Netballer Teigan O'Shannassy from the Sydney Swifts
• WSL surfers Tully White and Ace Buchan.

Operation Crayweed scientists took the athletes through the program, explaining how their world-first technology - developed in Sydney - is reestablishing Crayweed populations along 70 kilometres of coastline. Crayweed forests provide crucial food and habitat to diverse marine life, aiding biodiversity and even sequestering carbon.

You can find out more about Operation Crayweed here.

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