What is Blue Health?

Some may say it's best summed up by renowned French Mariner, Jacques Cousteau's phrase:

'The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever'.

Many of us nurture memories of the first time we saw the sea and splashed on the shoreline on our first beach holiday. And have craved the colour blue ever since. Aided by the freedom of sand in our toes, paddling in sea water pools or simply marvelling at its magnificence.

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. 

The beach is generally known as a fun and positive place to be - for a variety of reasons. And for everyone - whatever their walk of life, age or personality. 

An exciting place of egalitarian activity and all-round entertainment, if you will. 

Yet the Telegraph thinks the middle class have spoiled it with their rather negative outlook. We love our beach think not. And remain positive. For all 1,500 of the UK's brilliant beaches. (And those everywhere). 

In his article, on Tuesday 9th May, Ed Grenby (or should we say Grumpy?) wrote:

"20 ways the middle class has ruined the beach holiday"

"The humble beach holiday is now a hellscape of overpriced fish and chips, idiots with drones, yoga classes and miserable teenagers.

Check the sandcastles. Are those turrets or transepts? Portcullises or pulpits? Ramparts or, God help us, rood screens? Because if it’s the latter, that’s not a sandcastle… that’s a sand cathedral, and the first sign that your beach holiday has become dangerously middle-class (“Well Lottie and I just find sandcastles so militaristic, don’t we darling?”).

You see, no longer content to spend their vacation time in museums and art galleries and “fine examples of Baroque ecclesiastical architecture of the 17th century” like Baedeker told them they should, the middle classes are now ruining beach holidays just like they (OK, we) bodged the city break and the camping trip.

Don’t believe me? Well from the Maldives to Margate, here are 20 ways Lottie and pals have spoiled the seaside…".

We 'beach' to differ. And respond with rigour and vigour. The beach is a fun place to be, a place to be creative, rest and rejuvenate, enjoy the well-being benefits of the water and forge memories with the ones we love. Something to take forward for generations. We love our beach believe in our amor with the shore. 

Ed erroneously wrote:

1. Children

Ed Grumpy: "The upper classes send them off on school cricket tours of the Caribbean; the working classes let them roam wild with nobody but Siri to look after them. In fact it’s only the middle class who feel the need to keep their offspring around for ‘quality time’ on their beach holiday – which explains why the little rays of drizzle are so unhappy and unpleasant for the rest of us to share the sand with".

We love our beach see families with their kiddie winkle loved ones creating memories that will last forever with children of all ages, interests and dispositions. It's where they can be creative and play with unfettered fun - and meet other children doing the same - from all walks of life. We see their smiling faces all the time and developed these to raise a few more. 

2. Fish restaurants

Ed Grumpy: "Who was it that decided seafood was somehow more sophisticated than meat? Probably the same evil genius who worked out you can charge £34 for a few mouthfuls of tiny bones if you open a joint within 15 miles of the coast and announce that everything’s ‘locally caught’. Leave it to the octopus-botherers, we say, and enjoy your burger".

We love our beach just love the simplicity and soul food nature of fish and chips at the seaside. Who doesn't? And a shout out to our fine fisher folk who risk loss and lives to bring us fresh fish fayre everyday. We salute you. So in celebration of fish at the seaside we designed these to make you smile. And do think of the delicious (sophisticated) fish dishes from Japan (sushi) and Spain (paella). 

What's in a Tee?

What's their origin? Why do we wear them? Who made them iconic? And what does yours 'say'?

Every icon has a story.

And the practical, humble and now ubiquitous and unisex T-shirt is no exception. And it offers an impactful, cultural symbolism with the power to make a statement. 

Purists might argue that it all began in the Middle Ages, as an undergarment proving a hygienic layer between clothes and the skin. Vogue highlights the origin of the name as "T-shaped shirts made of woven linen or cotton", originally for men with long tails tucked between the legs and also adopted by women to replace corsets. 

The modern T-shirt, however, began its journey in the late 19th century in the USA. Hot US labourers would cut their overalls (jumpsuits) in half to cool off in the warmer months.

Commercialisation began after its 'invention' in the Spanish-American war when the US Navy started issuing them as standard undergarments, also adopted by the British Navy under their woollen uniforms and then as outerwear when working on deck, a practice that was adopted by working class men. In the early 20th century, T-shirt brands such as Fruit of the Loom accelerated their adoption as a wardrobe staple. By the 1930s it was standard issue for sportsmen, the US retailer, Sears, Roebuck and Co. advertised with 'It's an undershirt, it's an outershirt' and during WW2 it was standard military issue. 'You don't need to be a soldier to have your own personal T-shirt', Sears proclaimed. 

It was some years though before the 'working tee' took off and became an out of work wardrobe item in the 1950s. When Hollywood's rising stars began wearing them to signal a less uniform, more rebellious character it entered the mainstream. Actors such as Marlon Brando in 'The Wild One' and James Dean in 'Rebel without a Cause' gave T-shirts sex appeal and catapulted them to their iconic status which meant the T-shirt had a place in the wardrobe outside of work. 

In the 1960s and 70s the T-shirt became truly unisex with actresses such as Jacqueline Bisset wearing one wet in The Deep. Jane Birkin and Serge Gainsborough of Anglo-French fame, posed for photos whilst wearing them on holiday. Printing, technology and manufacturing advances provided further impetus. And given it's modern-day adoption by actors and actresses, fashion brands (Christian Dior, Calvin Klein, Gucci and Ralph Lauren), artists and film producers, advertising Execs. and creatives, writers and intellectuals, it became the 'Mini of fashion'. As a classless fashion staple worn by workers and wealthy alike with designer orientation it provided an opportunity for people to stand out in a sea of sameness with individuality, personalisation and creativity. A modern-day form of short-hand, simple and impactful expression. A one-person advertising hoarding - all on the humble T-shirt. 

Katherine Hamnett described a T-shirt as "wearing a slogan as a way of people aligning themselves to a cause. They're tribal. Wearing one is like branding yourself". 

Dennis Nothdruft, curator at London's Fashion and Textile Museum, described the T-shirt as:
"a really basic way of telling the world who and what you are.”

We love our beach was set up to help beach-loving people to stand out in a sea of sameness with a sense of fun. Using witty, wise and wonderful words on amusing beach and marine designs we seek to make people smile and enjoy the positive, well-being benefits of the beach. Making memories on the beach with the ones we love is something that stays with us forever. And helps develop creativity, balance and resilience. Plus relaxation, reflection and rejuvenation for all. As someone once said, "Sand in your toes helps while away the woes".

Seas the day we say!

Our GOTS certified Organic Cotton T-shirt (and Hoody) range appeals to active adults and children with a zest for life and a desire to make people smile in a world of choice, change and challenge.

We offer 10% OFF your first order when you sign up to Happy Tides, FREE delivery on orders of £50 or more and you get £5 OFF your next clothing purchase when, after life use, it's returned for recycling. Like the tide we believe in returning. It's called circular fashion and helps reduce landfill waste. So we invite you to become a part of the beach loving, sustainable community. And we give 10% of profits to beach and marine conservation. Well, we can't enjoy ourselves on the beach if it isn't clean and safe, can we? We deliver items in plastic-free packaging and all of our products are either recycled, recyclable or made from sustainable materials, helping to reduce plastic and waste in water and landfill. 

What does your T-shirt say about you? Do you keep them from the past, as it's a part of your identity? Do you collect them? Do you repurpose, return or recycle them?

Let us know by emailing us a photo of your favourite T-shirt with a short (maximum) 250-word story about it to wave@weloveourbeach.com for a chance to WIN 4 We love our beach T-shirts for you, family and friends.

Terms and conditions of entry: 

Ends September 30th 2023. Independent judges meet in October and winners will be announced by the end of October 2023. Judges decision is final. Entry is subject to We love our beach's use of the photo and article in post competition marketing communications. By entering you grant such permission. 

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.

Send us your beach art this August! Simply email wave@weloveourbeach.com by the 31st August 2020 with a picture of your creation.

1st Place will WIN a windbreak of their choice!

Onto the rules! Says Britannia. 

The picture can be of a:

• SAND CASTLE: get creative!
• ETCHING: an etching in the sand (wonderful beach words)
• ART: a sculpture with whatever is already on the beach 

Few people are better at inspiring this wanderlust than the influencers of Instagram. If you follow any, you know exactly what we’re talking about.

When we’re browsing the ‘gram’, their beautiful images inspires us and evokes a desire to get back to our spiritual home - the British beach. Discover a few of our favourite influencers in this article!

A whale-sized thanks to everyone who has completed our recent survey. As a plankton-sized startup trying to navigate the big ocean, your help really does mean a lot to us - so thank you again for your kindness.

Your responses were brilliant. We’ve learned a thing or three that’s for ‘shore’. Discover what we've learned in this article!