We love our beach blog

We Love Our Beach partner with DadFest23: Celebrating creativity, fun and outdoor activity

We Love Our Beach partner with DadFest23: Celebrating creativity, fun and outdoor activity

Andrew Clarke
Down on the beach
The beautiful coastal region of Beeson, near Beesands Beach, South Hams, Devon, is set to host an extraordinary event from September 22nd to 24th, 2023. DadFest23, organised by the Community Interest Company (CIC) Dangerous Dads Totnes, promises to be a celebration of creativity, fun and the special bond between fathers and their children in the great outdoors. We Love Our Beach are proud to partner this event, recognising the immense value and joy that the beach provides as a natural playground for nurturing these cherished relationships.
Dangerous Dads and the CIC Network
Before delving into the exciting event that awaits at DadFest23, let's take a moment to appreciate the incredible work of Dangerous Dads. Established in 2008, Dangerous Dads is a CIC network that aims to enhance the lives of children and their fathers by promoting outdoor activities that build strong relationships. Through their various initiatives, Dangerous Dads encourages dads to embrace their sense of adventure and inspire their children to explore the world around them.
The Great Outdoors: A Playground for Bonding
There is something truly magical about the outdoors, and nature serves as a remarkable backdrop for fostering connections between parents and children. The beach, with its vast expanse of sand, shimmering waves and endless possibilities, provides the perfect playground for dads to engage in fun and creative activities with their little ones.
Creativity Unleashed
At DadFest23, creativity will be at the forefront. Various workshops and activities will allow fathers and children to unleash their imagination. From sandcastle competitions and beach art sessions to kite making and storytelling, the possibilities for creative expression are endless. These activities not only spark a sense of wonder and curiosity but also provide a platform for dads to bond with their children through shared experiences. We love our beach are looking forward to seeing the unique T-shirt designs and watching the world famous, not to be missed, Dad Dancing Awards! 
Making Memories
The beach offers unique opportunities for fathers and children to create lasting memories. Whether it's running through the waves, searching for seashells, or building sandcastles together, these simple yet joyful moments strengthen the bond between dads and their little ones. The beach environment encourages playfulness, laughter and exploration, enabling fathers to step away from their everyday responsibilities and fully engage with their children.
Connecting with Nature
Beryl's Campsite in Beeson, South Hams, Devon, offers a brilliant base for an amazing array of activities for the children and perfect backdrop for access to Beesands. Spending time at the beach not only nurtures the relationship between fathers and children but also fosters a deep connection with nature. The sound of crashing waves, the fresh sea air and the sand in the toes fun blend to provide the perfect cocktail.
We love our beach would like to thank Peter Everitt and Ian Blackwell of Dangerous Dads, Totnes for their kind invitation to be a part of this amazing weekend in the beautiful South Hams, Devon away from the worries of a whirlwind life. They'll be wearing our famous Long Time No Sea Organic Cotton T-shirts! Dads, families and fans associated with DadFest23 can get 10% OFF We love our beach products by using the codeDD10. FREE delivery on orders of £50 or more. 
You can learn more about Dangerous Dads here. There are over 20 groups in the UK as well as groups globally with more being set up all the time. Find one near you here. 
This blog was created by ChatGPT yet briefed and refined by a human.

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We Love Our Beach partner with DadFest23: Celebrating creativity, fun and outdoor activity

North Devon awarded as top surfing destination

Andrew Clarke

Last month we wrote about our collaboration with Head of the Dart (HotD) SUP Challenge in Dartmouth and Totnes, South Devon. It was a well attended Stand Up Paddle (SUP) Boarding race event for all levels. Over 250 participants entered and it was good to see the event back in the SUP calendar after a Covid-forced break. And the weather blessed us all. 

Now this month it's been the turn of North Devon that stars with Croyde Bay and neighbouring beaches recognised as a top global surf destination. And one to be protected. 

Designated as a world surfing reserve, 18 miles of the UK's southwest coast have been formally recognised with 11 other global destinations. Croyde Bay and other North Devon surf locations such as Woolacomabe Bay and Saunton Sands are amongst illustrious company, including Malibu and Santa Cruz in California, Punta de Lobos in Chile and Noosa in Australia.

And it's the first UK surf location to achieve such distinction helping to protect this renowned surfing spot for future generations. The focus on the future is one We love our beach support. #BluePlanet.

The prestigious recognition was awarded by the 20-year old not-for-profit Save the Waves Coalition, an organisation that aims to empower surfers and beach lovers to become real-time coastal stewards turning everyday global citizens into citizen scientists, essentially protecting surf ecosystems across the world. 

What's really spooky is that it coincides with our NEW SURF Designs in our fun NEW WATERSPORTS Collection. Sign up to Happy Tides Newsletter for all the latest information and get 10% OFF the first order.

North Devon offers spectacular surfing opportunities and as well as many other beach activities with Croyde Bay, Woolacombe Bay and Saunton Sands all in the TOP 10 beaches in Devon.

Photo credit: Thanks to Francisco, Croyde Bay and Unsplash for the amazing photo above. 

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We Love Our Beach partner with DadFest23: Celebrating creativity, fun and outdoor activity

Why, you may wonder, is it good to wander?

Andrew Clarke
Starting anything new can seem like a mountain to climb. Yet simply starting is a good idea! And being an active walker is even better. 
It is written, "The longest journey begins with a single step" - an aphorism ascribed to Patanjali from the Yoga Sustras. It's very similar to the common phrase, "The journey of a thousand miles starts with the first step" by the Chinese philosopher, Laozi in the Tao Te Ching. Not Confucious, his contemporary, as many may think. 
The good news is the South West Coast Path is 'only' 630 miles long.
And the even better news is, it runs from Minehead, in Somerset, to Poole, Dorset, taking in Devon and Cornwall too. With views to die for. And if you're not good with directions, this way, the sea is on the right and little acorn path signs are inscribed into wooden posts marking the route. You can, of course, always start in Poole and finish in Minehead. It's a binary choice in a modern world laden with too many choices!
And we know the benefits of walking as Garry Pratt tells us in his seminal read, The Creativity Factor, published by Bloomsbury. 
The path also offers a good number of the UK's 1,500 beaches along its winding path. Which is one of many reasons why it's good to wander. 
Starting in Minehead, with its sandy beach, known as The Strand, We love our beach joined the South West Coast Path (SWCP) team to celebrate their 50th Anniversary in their #Trailblazing50 walk. The opening quote by Pantanjali is printed on their Coast Path Passport. 
The area also offers many beaches, all within 8 miles, from Dunster to Porlock Weir, all providing a place for a picnic or a shore line stroll:
One thing that struck us at the start was the group mix - more than 30 of us of multi-generational make up and canine companions - an inspiring and eclectic gathering of like-minded, active health souls, sharing their passion for all things walking and wandering. 
Moving off from Minehead, the SWCP team included Director, Julian Gray and colleagues, Alitha and Lorna, Sue Applegate from Exmoor National Park and Rob Monacam from the National Trust Bossington, we were led by Geoff Garfield, the local SWCP Volunteer Rep. and his black Labrador, Oscar.
An inspiring walk and talk, we were able to listen and learn with so much ‘ground’ covered with some really lovely people and canine companions, wrapped in a gentle sea breeze and under blue skies. 
16kms in total taking in forested ascents, demanding descents, gorgeous yellow gorse, educational nuggets on North Hill, sandy beaches and Porlock's pebble beach, salt marsh, Exmoor ponies and spooky trees, stunning coastal and moorland scenery, vista stops and tea shops to savour.

More details, comments by fellow walkers and photos can be found on Facebook here.
It was fascinating to learn of the sea's beach breach at Porlock in the 90s when the 6,000 year old pebble beach was 'broken' by a storm which flooded the fields behind and turned it into a salt marsh now full of fish, birds and wildlife. The star of the scene, however, was the spooky tree, killed by the sea salt invasion yet stoically standing proud in marshland proving a photographer's favourite at twilight with the setting sun.
We ended the amazing walk at picturesque Porlock Weir with its tidal port and a pint to round off an exceptional day. Perfect. Back on the #10 bus with the friendliest and funniest driver ever, face a-glowing, legs aching yet deliriously happy at the journey's achievement.
And now, with many reasons to wander the next step is to make the entry in our SWCP Passport, as our little reward, and remember to plan the next stage.
Sea on the right and ...
... Seas the day.

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We Love Our Beach partner with DadFest23: Celebrating creativity, fun and outdoor activity

The Beach as we know it

Andrew Clarke

The expectation, excitement and emotion-filled joy of a visit to the coast are energising. For all generations and all walks of life. 

Are we there yet? I can see the sea. Is that where we are staying? Look at the view. The surf's up.

We all have fond memories of the beach. If we don't, we really should.

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