Ryan is an official WWF SASSI ambassador, championing consumer education and what we can do by making sustainable choices in our day to day lives, to help save our seafood resources.
Food security, as well as the livelihoods of many local fishing communities, are influenced by the seafood choices consumers make. This is particularly true in developing countries, such as South Africa. To ensure abundant fish stocks and seafood for the future, it is vital to keep ecosystems balanced and healthy. Sustainable seafood makes social, economic and environmental sense.
The call is clear: as a seafood consumer, it is important to act using the power you have to vote with your wallet. Choose Green and buy seafood that comes from the most sustainable sources.
The Two Oceans Aquarium aims to raise awareness of environmental issues and promote conservation. We believe that it is imperative that we lead by example, and ensure that we actively strive to reduce the impact of our operations on the environment.
The Two Oceans Aquarium is an active SASSI supporter and educator.
Ryan is a passionate campaigner for ocean conservation. He is a SASSI ambassador (South African Sustainable Seafood Initiative) and raises awareness of the dangers of single-use plastic landing up in our oceans. After noticing the amount of waste produced at corporate events, Ryan partnered with GRITT, a company that produces slip slops out of used car tyres by using the still viable tread as highly durable soles. He commissioned a local artist to design an ocean-inspired “ Push Past Impossible”™ range of flip flops.
Plastic water bottles, individually wrapped fruit/muffins, branded plastic gimmicks for delegates to take home, this all has to end up somewhere and from my swims, I have seen my fair share of plastic waste that has landed in the ocean. I am hoping that these flip flops can be a replacement for plastic products and help to raise awareness of the need for recycling.
The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) is a non-profit organisation that saves lives on South African waters. The WaterWise Academy teaches children what to do in an emergency and gives them the confidence to do CPR as while they wait for the ambulance to arrive. The core message is: learn the local emergency number and be a proactive bystander by knowing what to do. WaterWise targets the disadvantaged youth between the ages of 9 and 14, because statistically they are the most at risk.
Ryan supports the NSRI and the WaterWise Academy with a monthly donation.
Bank: ABSA Branch code: 506009 Account number: 1382480607 Account type: Current Account holder: National Sea Rescue Institute Reference: Your cellphone number and Ryan (eg. “0823456789 Ryan”)
Big Bay Events specialise in Event Management as well as individually customized Swims and is the service provider of choice for Ryan’s adventures and challenges.
Big Bay Events are founding partners of the Splash and Make a Difference development swimming program, which provides free drown proofing and swimming lessons to previously disadvantaged communities. Proceeds of their swims are allocated to the Splash and Make a Difference program with a long term goal to see these kiddies participate in their swimming events.
The International Ice Swimming Association (IISA) was formed in 2009 by Ram Barkai, with founding members, Andrew Chin, Toks Viviers, Ryan Stramrood and Kieron Palframan with a vision to formalise swimming in icy water.
IISA passion is swimming in icy waters in every location possible around our globe. In order to allow for that IISA has put in place a well considered set of rules to allow for maximum safety measures in this extreme sport and to regulate swim integrity in terms of distance, time, conditions and safety.
IISA introduced the Ice Mile as its ultimate achievement of swimming in ice waters. An Ice Mile is One Mile in water of 5C or less. The swim must be unassisted and with one pair of goggles, cap and standard swimming costume. The Ice Mile is the ultimate personal challenge that should be followed with all the safety and controls in place.
In 2014 IISA introduced the 1km Ice event. The event allows swimmers to compete in icy waters of 5C or less under IISA rules for 1000m. IISA is set out to keep world records with its vision to include Swimming as a category in the Winter Olympic Games and make it a globally recognised sport.
