Save La Mermaid: the story of a surfer who decided to take action to protect the ocean
Some people make their living from the ocean. Others make a living thanks to it. For Maud Le Car, it’s both.
Ever since she was a child, the ocean has set the pace of her daily life. It has given her an international career as a professional surfer, trips to the four corners of the world and unforgettable encounters. But it has also shown her a darker reality: even the most idyllic beaches are now littered with plastic waste.
Faced with this reality, Maud could have looked the other way.
She chose to take action.
And so Save La Mermaid was born, a non-profit that now mobilises hundreds of volunteers to protect the oceans, raise public awareness and show that it is still possible to bring about change.
When an injury changes a life
The story of Save La Mermaid begins at a particularly difficult time.
A few weeks before the trials for the Tokyo Olympic Games, Maud broke her shin and ankle. An injury that brought her career to an abrupt halt.
How did this period lead to the creation of a non-profit organisation?
MaudLe Car
“The idea for Save La Mermaid came to me when I broke my shin and ankle, just before the trials for the Tokyo Olympic Games. I was devastated and thought it was the end of my career. I wanted to leave something positive behind.”
During her recovery, something became clear to her. For years, surfing had allowed her to travel all over the world. From the Maldives to Costa Rica, from Portugal to Australia, she discovered extraordinary landscapes… but also ever-present pollution.
What prompted you to take action?
MaudLe Car
“Travelling all over the world thanks to surfing, I saw idyllic places completely overrun with plastic waste. At one point, I realised I could no longer just observe the problem: I had to take action.”
“I wanted to turn that anger and sadness into something positive. That’s how Save La Mermaid came about: a non-profit organisation that inspires people to take action, to do their bit – however small – to preserve our playground, this ocean that I’m so passionate about.”
From the first cleanups to a full-blown movement
Like many great initiatives, Save La Mermaid started out very simply.
A few friends.
A few bin bags.
And a lot of enthusiasm.
Can you tell us about the early days, the first cleanups, and the challenges you faced?
MaudLe Car
“At the start, there were very few of us. We’d organise beach cleanups with a few friends. Sometimes, we didn’t even know if anyone would turn up. We had to learn everything from scratch: setting up a non-profit organisation, finding equipment, winning over partners, getting the word out…”
“What makes me most proud today is seeing that these small events have grown into a real movement.”
Little by little, participants keep coming back.
Then they bring their friends and family along.
The events are growing.
Volunteers are joining the cause.
Partners are following suit.
Today, Save La Mermaid has become a leading organisation in the protection of the French coastline.
Much more than just beach cleanups
Picking up litter is essential. But for Save La Mermaid, it’s just the starting point. The non-profit is now developing a wide range of initiatives focused on raising awareness, education and the circular economy.
Mermaid Days
The famous Mermaid Days bring together volunteers of all ages to clean up beaches, dunes and coastlines. Each clean-up is also an opportunity to chat, understand where the rubbish comes from and raise participants’ awareness of everyday actions they can take.
Raising awareness among the youngest
Save La Mermaid regularly visits schools. The aim is not only to explain marine pollution, but also to give children practical solutions so they can take action at their own level. Because future generations will be the first to be affected.
Turning waste into resources
The non-profit also organises workshops where some of the plastic collected is recycled or turned into new objects. This is a very practical way of showing that our waste has value… and that it should never end up in the ocean.
Art as a tool for raising awareness
Another distinctive feature of Save La Mermaid is its use of art to convey a message. The microplastics and waste collected are sometimes turned into works of art or educational materials. It’s a way of stirring both emotion and reflection.
Supporting businesses
The non-profit also supports businesses with their CSR initiatives by organising awareness days, clean-up events or collaborative workshops. The idea is simple: protecting the ocean is a collective responsibility.
‘Mermaid tears’: an almost invisible form of pollution
Among Save La Mermaid’s many causes is an issue still little known to the general public: nurdles, nicknamed ‘mermaid tears’.
Pellets smaller than a lentil
These tiny plastic pellets are the raw material used to make a large proportion of the plastic items we use every day.
When they are accidentally released into the environment, they end up on beaches and in the oceans, where they are easily ingested by birds, fish or turtles.
Their small size makes them extremely difficult to recover. Yet they now represent a significant source of plastic pollution.
Save La Mermaid regularly organises dedicated operations to collect them and raise public awareness of this invisible pollution.
A collective adventure
Save La Mermaid has grown so quickly thanks to everyone who has joined the adventure.
Have you received a lot of support from the surfing community, friends and volunteers?
MaudLe Car
“The surfing community – and especially the younger members – were immediately on board, because we all share this love of the ocean. I’ve also received a huge amount of support from my sponsors, the volunteers who give their time at every event, and partners who believe in our mission. Save La Mermaid has truly become a collective endeavour.”
Today, the non-profit brings together volunteers, schools, businesses, local authorities and many ocean enthusiasts around a common goal.
Why After Essentials has partnered with Save La Mermaid
At After Essentials, we create ponchos designed for everyone who lives in tune with the water: surfers, swimmers, paddleboarders, sailors and beach lovers.
Our products accompany these moments of freedom. It was therefore only natural to support a non-profit organisation that works every day to preserve this exceptional environment.
This collaboration was born out of a shared set of values: respect for the ocean, simplicity and a desire to take concrete action.
The Save La Mermaid × After Essentials poncho
What does this collaboration mean to you?
MaudLe Car
“This poncho is much more than just a product. It’s a meaningful collaboration with After Essentials, a brand that shares our values. We wanted to create a practical poncho for surfers and ocean lovers, whilst also conveying a message. Its design is inspired by the marine world and Save La Mermaid. A portion of the profits goes towards funding our beach cleanups and awareness-raising initiatives. Wearing this poncho also shows your commitment to protecting the oceans.”
This collaboration is available in both adult and children’s sizes so that everyone can support this cause, whatever their age.
Save La Mermaid × After Essentials Poncho
A design inspired by the marine world. A portion of the profits goes towards funding the non-profit’s beach cleanups and awareness-raising initiatives. Available in adult and children’s sizes.
How can you support Save La Mermaid?
There are many ways to help the non-profit:
- Take part in a Mermaid Day.
- Become a volunteer.
- Make a donation.
- Raise awareness amongst your friends and family.
- Cut down on your use of single-use plastic.
- Pick up any litter you come across whilst walking on the beach.
- Support partnerships that fund the non-profit’s work.
Find all the information at:
Every little helps
The ocean gives us waves, swimming, memories and moments of freedom. In return, it deserves our protection.
That’s what Save La Mermaid is all about. And that’s why After Essentials is proud to be part of this journey.
Because even a simple poncho can tell a story. And sometimes, it can help write a better one for the ocean.
Photo gallery
Mermaid Day · click to enlarge
Photos © Save La Mermaid / After Essentials