Rising Tide kayakers take to the water in Newcastle and Sydney
Sunday 22 October 2025
As preparation for the 2025 People’s Blockade ramps up, Rising Tide members took to the water in two cities on Sunday. Rising Tide says they are hoping to get record numbers of people out on the water at this year's coal protest.
In Newcastle, there was a big turnout at Horseshoe beach for Blockade Training Games. Fifty enthusiastic participants trained in kayak skills, tested boats, gear and signs and practised kayak formations.
In Sydney, around 80 Rising Tide members paddled from north to south across Sydney harbour, landing at the Sydney Opera House. The Take the Harbour - Kirribili House to the Opera House event included training in kayak skills and water safety ahead of this year's coal protest in Newcastle (November 27 - December 2). Rising Tide Sydney are hoping to get record numbers of people to join the flotilla at the Newcastle coal port.
Photo credit: Ceasefire Photography
Attendees then joined the 1pm rally at Hyde Park run by Palestine Action Group.
The event became controversial after it gained attention on 2GB radio the previous week.
These two events came after a big few weeks for Rising Tide; final approval from Newcastle Council to use Foreshore Park for the event, charges against four arrested at last year’s blockade were dropped, and Rising Tide announced Lime Cordiale as headline act of the 2025 People’s Blockade.
Background: The 2024 People’s Blockade was the largest single act of civil disobedience for climate action in Australia’s history. The 10 day event saw an estimated 7000 people attend and resulted in 173 people arrested in Newcastle and a further 22 arrested in Canberra in the days following.
Rising Tide is a national movement calling on the federal government to stop approving new coal and gas projects and implement a 78% tax on coal export profits to fund support for fossil fuel workers and communities.
More details about the 2025 People’s Blockade can be found here.
Contact: Alexa Stuart 0423 361 030