Odyssey Innovation was born from a single, unshakeable conviction: that plastic pollution in our oceans is not inevitable — and that the waste already out there can become something extraordinary. This is the story of how it began, and why it still drives everything we do.
Where It All Began: Fathoms Free
Rob Thompson's journey started in 2014 when he founded Fathoms Free, a volunteer group that rapidly grew into a movement. Divers, artists, photographers, engineers, and passionate individuals came together to take direct action — conducting marine plastic retrieval dives, ghost gear recoveries, awareness events, and beach cleans along the UK coastline.
What started as grassroots action quickly revealed the sheer scale of the problem. And with scale came a question Rob couldn't shake: what happens to all this plastic once it's collected?
A Royal Pledge
In July 2015, Rob met Their Royal Highnesses Prince Charles and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, at The Ocean Plastics Awareness Day — signing a personal Statement of Intent to develop a genuine circular economy around marine plastic. It wasn't ceremonial. It was a commitment that set the direction for everything that followed.
The Eureka Moment
The idea that became Odyssey Innovation arrived during a kayak litter pick. At the end of the session, the group gathered around a haul of bin bags — kayaks lined up behind them, plastic waste piled in front. Rob looked at the scene and something clicked.
"What if we made the kayaks out of the plastic we collected — and then used those kayaks to collect more?"
Three years of product development later, Odyssey Innovation produced the world's first kayak made from 100% recycled marine plastic — a fully circular product that proved the concept was not just possible, but scalable.
Three World Firsts. One Mission.
Rob's drive to innovate hasn't stopped. Under his leadership, Odyssey Innovation has delivered three globally unprecedented products:
- 🌊 The world's first kayak made from 100% recycled marine plastic
- 🏄 The world's first bodyboard made from 100% recycled ocean plastic
- 🐙 The world's first microplastic collecting handheld tool for kids — Scuttle the Cuttle, now used in beach cleans and educational programmes across the UK and Malta
From Idea to Impact
Since that eureka moment, Odyssey Innovation has grown into a multi-award winning circular economy business. Key milestones include:
- Launching the Net Regeneration Scheme — the UK's first and leading free fishing gear recycling programme, operating across 21 harbours and diverting over 700,000kg of marine plastic
- Being invited to No. 10 Downing Street and shortlisted for multiple sustainability awards
- Receiving endorsement from the Global Ghost Gear Initiative (GGGI)
- Consulting on the Brussels EU consultation on EPR schemes for the fishing industry — shaping policy at the highest level
- Building partnerships from EU and national governments down to universities, local councils, and on-the-ground community groups across the UK and the Mediterranean
Work With Rob
Rob is available for media interviews, keynote speaking, and strategic consultancy on circular economy, marine plastic policy, and sustainable product development. If you're a journalist, investor, or organisation looking to make a genuine impact on the ocean plastic crisis — get in touch.
Explore Our Products
Every product Odyssey Innovation makes is a direct result of this journey — proof that marine plastic waste is a resource, not a problem:
- Kaafu Recycled Marine Plastic Kayak | Single Seater
- Kaafu Kayak | Single Seater Package Deal
- Mahee Recycled Marine Plastic Kayak | Double Seater
- Mahee Kayak | Double Seater Package Deal
- Hönö Recycled Marine Plastic Rigid Bodyboard
- Odyssey Recycled Marine Plastic Surfing Handplane
- Scuttle the Cuttle | 3-in-1 Beach Clean Tool
👉 Get in touch to discuss partnerships, CSR programmes, or investment opportunities.