THE BETTER TAKES ACTION
BOAT TOUR 2019
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We are KEEN. An outdoor shoe brand
from Portland, Oregon. Driven by a passion for the great outdoors, we have been making shoes since 2003 that literally help you on your way. We are proud to be renowned for our innovation, functionality and a certain level of tenacity in all we do. What started with the development of our ground-breaking Newport sandal, which unleashed a revolution in the outdoors industry, grew into a shoe brand that inspires people worldwide to go outdoors.
Acting on our word
But we’re not only “in business” to make shoes. We think we need to do more than just that. As a brand that owes its existence to living a life outside, caring for the planet is an important core value of our company. Since our inception, we have donated more than $17 million to charities and non-profit organisations that work for people, animals and the environment. By giving back to society, limiting our own impact and activating communities and individuals to protect the environment, we’re acting on our word: aspiring to make the world a little nicer and leave it behind a little better. KEEN Team
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WE ARE CREATORS, EXPLORERS, BUILDERS, DREAMERS, HIKERS, TRAVELLERS, AND DO-GOODERS. WE ARE ACTIONISTS.
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BETTER TAKES ACTION At KEEN we are committed to converting our values into action. Under the motto Better Takes Action we not only inspire ourselves but also others to stop talking and start acting! 2019 is all about the KEEN Better Takes Action Boat Tour, dedicated to two topics that are important to us:
1. 60% of the European population is not active enough and do not spend enough time outdoors to keep healthy. 2. 18 billion pounds of plastic end up in the ocean every year. 80% of this waste comes from land-based sources. So, check out this booklet for more information about the tour and discover how you can make your own contribution. Join us, make a difference and spread the word!
PLASTIC WHALE Co-operating with Dutch social enterprise Plastic Whale, we found the ideal partner to help shape our Better Takes Action Boat Tour. Plastic Whale has been operating in Amsterdam since 2011, but is working across borders, striving to create a world in which all waters are
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free from plastic. They do this by bringing people together on a unique boat that they use to fish for plastic waste. As a result, you, as a participant, not only experience a special adventure, but also become involved in a hands-on way to help contribute to a solution to this global
problem. Find out more at plasticwhale.com It started with the canals of Amsterdam, followed by Rotterdam and now, together with KEEN, there are also plastic fishing events on the program in Hamburg, Munich and London. Find out more at plasticwhale.com
THE ‘GOOD SHIP’ KEEN All the plastic that is removed from the water during these voyages is separated by hand and recycled, first from bottles to pellets and then from pellets to plates, from which a boat can ultimately be made. More boats on the water means more plastic removed from the water, more involvement and more awareness. At the beginning of April, the KEEN boat was launched to much aplomb in Amsterdam and was immediately put to work on the city’s canals.
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Cal Major (30) is a veterinarian, prolific explorer and ocean advocate from Devon. As the founder of Paddle Against Plastic, through her stand up paddleboard expeditions she inspires people worldwide to take care of the earth’s precious seas and oceans. Driven by a passion to protect and preserve vulnerable coastlines, in 2016, Cal paddled nearly 500 km along the ruthless Cornish coast and was the first woman to tour the Scottish Isle of Sky solo on a SUP in 2017. Last year, Cal took on solo the 1600-kilometre journey between Lands’ End and John O’Groats, a route super popular with hikers and cyclists, but never before tackled on a stand up paddleboard. In addition to setting records, Cal is mainly about creating awareness. “I notice that I get people on the move with my adventures. Beach cleaning campaigns are organised at many stops along the route and I get help from all sides. That enormous involvement fills me with the hope that together we can achieve a great deal.” Cal has always felt deeply connected to the water. “In and around the ocean I feel most at home. That started with my first diving experience where I was surrounded by the beauty of the ocean, from peaceful turtles to impressive fish and colourful corals. With Paddle Against Plastic I give my passion a voice through which I can reach more and more people”. Cal very much embodies KEEN’s Better Take Action mantra and KEEN Footwear are very proud to work with her as a brand ambassador.
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MEET CAL MAJOR
FOUNDER OF PADDLE AGAINST PLASTIC
MAKE YOUR OWN CONTRIBUTION! 10 simple tips from Cal Major to reduce your use of single-use plastic. 1. Ditch the plastic bottle! Buy a reusable water bottle. Refill, rehydrate, rinse, repeat! 2. Coffee mug to-go. If you are someone who often buys coffees (or teas) en route, then bring your own mug. This small step alone is a great way to cut your plastic footprint, plus many coffee shops and businesses offer discounts to those bringing their own cups. 3. Reject plastic bags that are handed out in shops. Shop happy and bring your own bag. 4. Banish the traditional cotton swabs during your beauty routine. Instead choose the cotton and bamboo varieties that are increasingly available. 5. Avoid pre-packed fruit and vegetables. Bring your own boxes or cotton produce bags to buy your fruit, vegetables, baked and loose goods such as nuts and cereals. 6. Pledge to go meat free for at least one day a week. It is often packed in “single use” plastic plus has health perks by also helping you to cut out potentially dangerous processed meats. 7. Refuse plastic straws and only accept eco-friendly alternatives such as those made from bamboo. 8. Don’t purchase make-up and personal care products that contain microplastics. Download the “Beat The Microbead” app to scan products. 9. Buy less! From now on, make your own juices at home and take them with you in a lockable cup. 10. Pledge to keep in mind the philosophy to ‘refuse, reuse, recycle’ and apply this as much as possible when out shopping, eating, drinking and socialising. Paddleagainstplastic.com, @Cal_Major
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STEP OUTSIDE
HAMBURG
KEEN BOAT TOUR INFORMATION: 22 - 23 JUNE CLEAN UP EVENT BOBBY REICH JETTY
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Hamburg is a city surrounded by water, where Helmut Schmidt, Karl Lagerfeld and Brahms are some of the city’s most famous inhabitants and where, during the international Gartenschau in October, you can walk through 80 different landscapes and 7 different kinds of worlds. With a diverse range of sporting activities available throughout the city, scaling the glass front of the Nordwand indoor climbing hall gives you the feeling you’re climbing outside.
Climbing outside. City log cabin Looking for an original place to sleep? In the middle of the Wilhelmsburg district you’ll find the beautiful Wälderhaus. All rooms in this ecological “city log cabin” are made entirely of wood. Regular guests also include many birds and insects that can nestle in the nest rooms in the larch façade of this hotel. Link: raphaelhotelwaelderhaus.de
Sidewalk surfing
Hamburg has an established longboard skating scene, comprising some 500 or so asphalt surfers who are happy to share their favourite routes with you. You’ll find the main “highways” in the Boberg nature reserve, along the Elb beach and in the Elb Tunnel in Wilhelmsburg. You can rent boards at Superbude (also a cool place to stay) where riders are happy to share the ins & outs of their favourite routes. Link: superbude.com/blog/
HafenCity
Those who love architecture cannot afford to miss HafenCity. Where there were once abandoned factory halls and rusty cranes, is now emerging one of Europe’s largest urban development projects. The crown jewel of the new district is the Elbphilharmonie, a concert hall whose glass and steel hall are built on top of an old warehouse.
StadRAD
A public bicycle rental system with 1000 bicycles that you can find at around 90 bicycle stations throughout the city. You can find them at the metro stations and along the banks of the Alster and the Elbe, super spots along which you can take a nice bike ride. Link: stadtrad.hamburg.de
(Sup)ercity
Experience Hamburg completely differently from the water. In the heart of the city lies the Alster, a large city lake that fills itself with water from the river of the same name. Frank Heinemann takes both beginners and advanced boaters on an adventurous SUP tour where you not only learn to paddle but also discover the “sauce” of the city. Link: sup-alster.de
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Munich is the city where more than 6 million people visit the Oktoberfest every year, where only beer brewed in Munich is served and where the huge Viktualien Markt (some 22,000 square metres!) has been the city’s food marketplace for over 200 years. Urban and nature seamlessly merge together in this cosmopolitan city.
Surf in the park
In the middle of Munich is a green oasis, the Englischer Garten (or English Garden!), which extends from the city centre to the Northeastern edge of the city. One of the largest city parks in the world it is even larger than Central Park in New York. Englischer Garten is one big playground for outdoor enthusiasts, including surfers(!) who ride here daily on the big waves of the river Eisbach.
The 20 best hikes around Munich Take to your feet to meet the city up close & personal. On komoot.com you will find a selection of 20 adventurous walking routes in the city that you can download into your phone via the app. The routes vary in length and there is something for everyone.
Tiny Olympic village
What formed the Olympic Village during the 1972 Olympic Games now houses 1000 students. After a complete renovation, the tiny houses now form a real village where you can enjoy street art in a network of alleys. Each student was allowed to paint his or her house however they wanted and this has resulted in a huge open-air art gallery.
Pure nature
There’s so much to hear and see around Lake Speichers in Northeast Munich. Maybe Munich’s best kept secret, this quiet spot is the perfect place to relax with a book. Built in 1929 as a reservoir, nature has been given free rein here and this beautiful area is a peaceful paradise for bird lovers and those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city.
Zum Augustiner
Beer is inextricably linked to Munich, so no visit to the city would be complete without a trip to the Zum Augustiner beer hall. It’s not only the oldest brewery in the city, but the beer hall also surrounds you with everything that is typically Bavarian, including the food. An ideal place to round off the end of a busy day in the city.
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KEEN BOAT TOUR INFORMATION: 30 JUNE - 2 JULY OUTDOOR BY ISPO
STEP OUTSIDE
MUNICH
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STEP OUTSIDE
LONDON
KEEN BOAT TOUR INFORMATION: 13 - 14 JULY CLEAN UP EVENT THE MILK FLOAT
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London is the city where more than 300 languages are spoken, where nearly 60,000 people get on the tube every morning at Waterloo Station, where Europe’s tallest building is located, where London buses run 12,128 times a year and where some 40 percent of the city is covered with greenery. An adventure is never far away.
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In Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park, a city park a stone’s throw from Mile End London Underground Station, 13 street artists have expressed their creative cry for help with 20 murals of endangered species on an old railway viaduct.
The 20 best runs around London Running is a great way to discover a city. On komoot.com you will find a selection of the best 20 running routes in the city that you can download into your phone via the app. The site also offers numerous hiking, cycling and mountain bike trails.
Bird watching in Barnes The London Wetland Centre is a green city oasis near the centre of London where countless water birds, wild birds and birds of prey such as the osprey reside. The place is an absolute must for nature enthusiasts who are allowed join a free tour each day at 11 a.m. and at 2 p.m. Link: wwt.org.uk
Walking enthusiasts
For seasoned walkers with time on their hands, London offers 4 long-distance walking routes: London Loop (242 km), Capital Ring (126 km), Thames Path (296 km) and the London Spiral (400 km). Fortunately, all of the routes can also be taken in smaller chunks. Link: tfl.gov.uk (click on “more”), thames-path. org.uk/, londonspiral.wordpress. com
Power kiten in Richmond Park Richmond Park is the largest royal park in London and covering some 955 hectares, is also the largest walled city park in Europe. Providing an abundance of space for all types of adrenaline hunters, this beautiful space is a favourite with power kiters sitting in a buggy, standing on a landboard or just enjoy it with both legs on the ground. Link: kitevibe.com
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LET’S GO OUTSIDE LET’S EXPLORE LET’S PROTECT Our oceans provide more than half of the oxygen that we as humans need in order to live. Its health is directly linked to ours. Protection of our oceans and seas is therefore a necessity. And that starts with your (re)connection with nature. Take a daily walk, cycle to the supermarket, run through the park, mountain bike through the woods, get out on the water and experience what being outdoors does for you. Enjoy the freedom, embrace nature and feel its priceless value. Being outside is a higher good and is the gateway to boundless adventure.
OPEN BORDERS
KEEN likes open borders. And not least because of all the cross-border trails where you can roam endlessly throughout Europe. Your adventure begins here:
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Cycling eurovelo.com Long-distance trails gr-infos.com Bikepacking bikepacking.com/routes Climbing and bouldering 27crags.com/continents/europe Kayaking outdoyo.com
“Don’t feel guilty about the stuff you can’t avoid, but rather feel proud at the stuff you can.” - Cal Major
START A MINI-CHALLENGE
Missed any KEEN events? No problem! There is plenty that you can do in your daily life to make a difference! Take another look on page 7 at Cal Major’s tips or challenge yourself to complete one or more of the following challenges!
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For at least a week, don’t buy fruit and vegetables packed in plastic. Cycle a different route to work every day so you can be continually surprised. Remember: the more you wander, the more you wonder. Organise your own clean-up with friends, colleagues or family, and then treat yourself to lunch afterwards. Take your own mug to a coffee-to-go and you’ll always score a discount because you help reduce waste. Pick up 10 pieces of garbage from the street, the beach or the trails every day for a week. Afraid of getting dirty? Put a garden glove in your bag and take a garbage bag to collect the trash.
JOIN US BY SIGNING THE PLEDGE AT KEENFOOTWEAR.COM FOR A CHANCE TO WIN A “PLASTIC REDUCE” GOODIE BAG AND A PAIR OF KEEN SHOES!
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keenfootwear.com | @keeneurope | #bettertakesaction