Swimmer to tow plastic plesiosaur off Bournemouth beach

Well, sort of.

Headline grabbing swimmer Oly Rush had a model plesiosaur made from 600 plastic bottles and other rubbish collected from beaches ahead of a new challenge.

To raise awareness about plastic pollution he will be towing 15ft-long, 80kg ‘Percy’ on Saturday, July 29, between the piers from 7am until 7pm.

It is hoped this will appear like Oly is being chased by a prehistoric predator during the ‘Trash Tow 2023’ event.

Fellow volunteers from his Project Planet Earth group will be on the sand to explain to beachgoers what is happening.

Oly, from Upton, is the fastest person to swim around the Isle of Wight and is the only person to have swum around Grand Cayman non-stop.

Ahead of the challenge, said: “I am aiming to raise awareness about plastic pollution in the oceans and Percy the plesiosaur will turn heads.

Oly Rush

“The model was made by Glenn Martin, from Ghost of the Sea on the Isle of Wight, who makes some incredible and thought-provoking sculptures.

“When I pull it behind me it should look as if it’s chasing me.

“It was made from plastic collected on beaches and highlights just how much pollution there is out there.

“In September, I am going to swim around the Greek island of Ithaca non-stop, which should take 24 hours. Thanks to sponsors Green Folk Recruitment I am in full time training and this Trash Tow will be part of it.

“I set up Project Planet Earth as a group to raise awareness about plastic pollution and we’re hoping it will soon be an official charity.

“As well as doing long swims, I go into schools to speak to youngsters and spend my days removing plastic from Dorset’s beaches.

“If everyone does a little bit, it will make a hug difference. Hopefully we’ll have some good weather for the Trash Tow.”

Plesiosaurs were a carnivorous marine reptile that lived alongside dinosaurs in the Jurassic period and went extinct about 50 million years ago.

Visit ProjectPlanet.Earth online for more information.