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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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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What's in a Tee?

Andrew Clarke

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. 

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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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