Starboard ambassador Wim Pyl, founder of Mangata Adventure, a Belgium-based organization focused on combining adventure sports with environmental advocacy recently completed a remarkable 5-day SUP expedition in the Italian Alps. Driven by his commitment to environmental conservation, Pyl set out to explore the highest alpine lakes, collecting and analyzing water and snow samples for microplastics. This journey aimed to determine whether these remote, seemingly pristine lakes have been affected by plastic pollution. Supported by Starboard Blue, the environmental arm of Starboard, Pyl’s expedition underscores the ongoing need to address plastic contamination and its impact on even the most isolated environments.
Hello Wim! What inspired you to undertake this unique stand-up paddle expedition in the Alps?
The idea of paddleboarding on the highest, most inaccessible alpine lakes has been a persistent dream of mine. These remote lakes, untouched by human activity, seemed like pristine pools, and I wanted to explore their purity. But the venture wasn’t just about the thrill of paddling; it was about understanding the reality of these waters. Have they remained as untouched as we imagine, or have they been impacted by the same plastic pollution that plagues so many of our lakes, rivers, and oceans?
What was the main objective of this expedition?
The primary goal was to collect water and snow samples from these alpine lakes and analyze them for microplastics. It’s crucial to determine whether these supposedly pristine environments are truly free from human contamination. The results could provide insight into how microplastics are potentially entering our atmosphere and, consequently, our drinking water.
How did you prepare for such a challenging expedition?
Preparation was intense. We needed to carry not only our SUP boards and camping gear but also specialized equipment for collecting samples. This included glass bottles and filters to avoid contamination. The logistics were tough—balancing the weight and ensuring the safety of our samples was a big challenge. I even consulted with experts at CMK Bitelab, Hasselt University in Belgium, to learn how to collect the samples accurately under these extreme conditions.
What were some of the major challenges you faced during the expedition?
The journey was far from easy. The alpine environment posed numerous challenges, from steep climbs and unpredictable weather to the difficulty of transporting heavy gear. On Day 2, we faced thick snow and frozen lakes, making it almost impossible to paddle. On Day 4, heavy rain, snow, and strong winds battered our campsite, testing our resolve. But perhaps the most disheartening moment was finding a plastic bottle at Lago Nero, a lake at 2,300 meters. It was a stark reminder that no place is truly untouched by plastic pollution.
How did the local environment and weather conditions impact your journey?
The weather in the Alps was unpredictable and harsh. One moment, we were paddling under clear skies; the next, we were battling snow and rain. These conditions made the trek more difficult and sometimes forced us to make tough decisions, like abandoning a climb or retreating early for safety. The snow also complicated our sampling efforts, as some lakes were frozen, making direct water collection impossible. In such cases, we resorted to collecting snow, hoping it could still yield useful data.
What did the samples reveal about the presence of microplastics in these remote alpine lakes?
The samples we collected, including water, snow, and filtered substances, were analyzed by the team at Bitelab, Hasselt University. While I don’t have the complete lab results yet, finding visible plastic waste in such a remote location already suggests that microplastics could indeed be present. This discovery is concerning because it implies that microplastics are likely being transported through the atmosphere and deposited even in these isolated environments. This has serious implications for our drinking water and the overall health of our ecosystems.
How does this expedition tie into your broader mission and the work of Starboard Blue?
My mission has always been to raise awareness about plastic pollution, especially in our waterways. This expedition is part of that ongoing effort. Through adventures like this, I aim to inspire others to take action in protecting our environment. Starboard Blue, the environmental arm of SESTAR Group, shares this mission. They’ve been instrumental in promoting sustainability in the watersports industry, and together, we hope to highlight the urgent need to address the global issue of plastic pollution, whether it’s in the ocean or the highest alpine lakes.
Wim Pyl’s expedition underscores the far-reaching impact of plastic pollution, even in the most remote corners of the world. His work, in collaboration with Starboard Blue, serves as a vital reminder that no environment is immune to human impact, and it is up to us to take action to protect our planet.
British SUP Race Circuit GBSUP is set to introduce an exciting new addition to its 2025 National Series: the Starboard Airline Cup. Following a successful trial at the end of the 2024 season, this new competition—made possible through GBSUP’s partnership with Starboard SUP UK—aims to provide a dynamic and competitive platform for paddlers using Starboard’s […]
Esperanza Barreras, one of the most dominant athletes in the SUP Racing world, heads into the 2024 ICF SUP World Championships in Sarasota, Florida, as the reigning ICF champion in both the Technical Race and Long Distance categories. Known for her remarkable consistency and versatility across all racing disciplines, the Starboard dream team rider has […]
The Gran Canaria Pro is back! Taking place in the stunning southwest of Gran Canaria on 7th of December, this open international SUP event welcomes paddlers of all levels to race in one of the best SUP destinations in the world. With warm December temperatures averaging 26°C and courses tailored for both experienced competitors and […]
The 2025 Starboard stand up paddle range has officially dropped, once again demonstrating that Starboard designs to benefit every paddler, ensuring to deliver an exceptional experience for all. Starboard proves once again the brand has been committed to making stand-up paddleboarding accessible to all, raising the bar with its dedication to uncompromising quality and ocean […]
Aneesh Kumar, a passionate 12-year-old environmental advocate from Chennai, has made headlines in India by becoming the first boy to paddle across three Indian states—Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Pondichéry —on a stand-up paddleboard back in May, and receiving a World Book of Records certificate in August. His inspiring journey covering 350 kilometers from Pondicherry […]
In just two and a half years, Starboard SUP racer Alba Alonso Frey from Spain has made a meteoric rise in the world of SUP racing. Recently crowned the 2024 ISA Sprint World Champion, Alba also helped Team Spain claim the Nations World Champion title at the ISA World Championships in Copenhagen. In a thrilling […]
With downwind foiling booming all across the globe, Starboard has unveiled two groundbreaking products just in time for two major international Downwind SUP Foil events in France – the Crozon Foil Festival and LAST Les Ailes de Saint Tropez. The Ace Foil Lightning board and the Foil Blade are designed to push the limits of […]
The 2024 Busan SUP Open delivered thrilling racing across two action-packed days, with standout performances from some of the world’s top paddlers. On Day 1, NSP rider Christian Andersen dominated the surf sprints, powering through a tough field that included four-time ISA World Champion Shuri Araki and Starboard’s Aaron Sanchez. His victory in the sprint […]
The 2024 Agios Nikolaos on SUP, held in the stunning coastal town of Agios Nikolaos, Greece, marked the fourth stop of the ICF SUP circuit as this year’s only SUP World CUP . This prestigious event, which ran from September 27 to 29, attracted an impressive roster of athletes from 17 countries, competing across three […]
Use of cookies
This website uses cookies in order to make it easier to use and to support the provision of relevant information and functionality to you.
Necessary Cookies
Necessary cookies enable core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility. You may disable these by changing your browser settings, but this may affect how the website functions.
3rd Party Cookies
We use a set of third party tools to provide information on how our users engage with our website so that we can improve the experience of the website for our users. For example, we collect information about which of our pages are most frequently visited, and by which types of users. Keeping this cookie enabled helps us to improve our website.
Please enable Strictly Necessary Cookies first so that we can save your preferences!