What to pack - family holiday to Cornwall

Constantine Beach, Cornwall

After our first camping trip with the children to Cornwall I thought I would share what we learnt - mostly what we wish we had brought!

We went near Padstow and camped at a big, very clean campsite, Atlantic Bays and after visiting most of the beaches and small coves we settled on Constantine Bay as our base for the week.

What a beautiful beach! Wide open sandy expanse with sandy dunes for the children to explore and the best waves we have seen.  Patrolled by the RNLI it is the perfect beach for body boarding.

Armed with a body board each we had such a funny time although you do have to check the tides as at low tide it takes ages to walk to the water!

We were thankful for our wetsuits as it enabled us to stay in the water longer, even though it was August and Sunny the wind seems to constantly blow there.  Most days the water temperature was 15°C so it is worthwhile getting a wetsuit.  The children wore shortie wetsuits, one from O'Neill and one tested our new brand TWF.

Both were kept really warm although we saw lots of children wearing long wetsuits so the choice is personal.  I imagine the long wetsuit will protect the knees from the sand as you fly into land but it wasn't too much of a problem.

We used the TWF slick back body boards and the super smooth base really made a difference and found all of us moved fast on top of the waves.

Amelie and sam are 10 and 12 respectively and both used a 37" board and us Adults used 42" which was ideal.

So to summarise my suggested packing list and what I will get for next year:

• Shortie wetsuit
• Kids UV rash vest, worn underneath and during breaks the wetsuit can be undone, as quite warm, and the skin is still protected.
• Consider a boys long sleeved uv top or the Animal Girls Pefto Long Sleeved Rash Top under a shortie wetsuit for extra sun protection
• Children's Beach shoes - easy to run over stones, seaweed and good grip while exploring rock pools
• Wide brimmed or baseball cap style hat
• Beach mats - perfect layer under towels to stop sand sticking to towels
• Beach towels and Kids Beach Towelling Ponchos
• Wind break - so windy in Cornwall but best waves ever!
• Picnic rucksack - was perfect, a roomy cool bag section for sandwiches and drinks, a small front pocket for essentials like wet wipes and comes with all the cutlery, plates and wine glasses!
• Wet wipes
• Sun tan lotion - try Life Systems with Anti-Jellyfish sting formulation
• Kids sunglasses
• Roomy beach bags

What I wish I took:

• Neoprene gloves - my hands got cold way before the rest of my body
• Thermos flasks for warm tea post body boarding
• Body board rucksack bags - the long walk back to the car park in strong winds when the children were tired was a little testing...
• Children's Snorkel Masks and Kids Fins, the sea is so crystal clear especially in some of the smaller bays it would have been perfect.  The local stores are so expensive!

So after this holiday, I have fallen in love with Cornwall. I thought I would find anywhere better than my beloved West Wittering and can believe at the age of 43 I haven't been there before.  Constantine Beach and the beautiful beaches around will be a future fixture on future summer holiday breaks.

Tess Bradshaw - owner of Little Surfers - for all your family beach holiday needs, with helpful information pages to help with your packing and also to ensure your beach holiday is safe 
Little Surfers
August 2015

Need Help Choosing Surf Gear for You and Your Kids?

It happens to all of us – when we book a trip but we don’t really know what equipment is best for what occasion or location. If you are planning to go on a family surfing holiday and need help on what to pack, we’re here to help!

O'Neill Reactor Full 3/2mm Youth Wetsuit £40.00

Unless you are going to a tropical destination, you will definitely need a wetsuit to maintain any sense of feeling in the water! Every wetsuit is made up of neoprene, which is used because of the fact it keeps water away from you for extra insulation. The fitting of a wetsuit is not singly important for comfort, as it is essential to make sure that the suit is completely insulating you.

If you were to remain in the UK, for instance, a full-length suit would be most recommended. This style of suit covers your entire body including long sleeves and full leg coverage, so it keeps you lovely and warm.

O'Neill Reactor 2mm Shortie Wetsuit £30.00

However if you were to go to a lovely, warm country, the spring suit/shorty might be a better option for you. It comes with either short or long sleeves, whichever suits you best, and they both have legs that cut off a few inches just below the knee. These are better for warmer conditions also because they are made of a thinner material than the full-length wetsuits.

Now, if you are a beginner it is important to keep a leg leash attaching you to the board. You don’t necessarily have to be a beginner to have a leash as if you were up surfing and you wiped out, where is your board? Well, fortunately it’ll be close enough for you to quickly hop back on before the arrival of the next wave, as well as it being nice and out of the way by the time that you surface. It’s a win win!

Wax is integral for more intermediate or advanced surfers as it is for when you are planning on your board for a long length of time. You can get wax from really any surf shop you might find, and there are different types depending on the temperature of the water that you are surfing in.

Finally (and most importantly), you need a surfboard! When it comes to choosing the surfboard for you, you firstly should take a look at 3 main types of board – only 2 of these happen to be suitable for beginners:

TWF EPS Bodyboards £10.00

Firstly, there are foam boards. These are known as the most forgiving style of board to start on and you can rent them from just about every surf beach! Even though they may be the most forgiving, they don’t have brilliant suitability if you were a beginner wanting to improve, limiting how much skill you can work up to within your first couple of tries, due to their very basic design. However, they are fantastic boards during the learning process, and it is only really necessary for you to rent these boards.

Then there is the pop-out board. A pop-out board is filled with a liquid plastic covered in a mould made in a factory so that these boards can be made in their masses. Choose from a lovely selection in a variety of shapes and sizes. You ought to buy them in a surf store so you can get the very best, and most personal advice on what suits you best. The big boards have a big volume, making it easy for you to catch waves, and as it goes, the small boards have less volume, making it more difficult – it’ll certainly increase your frustration to catch waves!

You most certainly must remember, take your time on choosing the right surfing equipment for you - there’s no rush!

 

Also...

Find out places to surf right on your doorstep.

 May Johnson, June 2015

Where are the best places to surf in the UK?

It’s great to take a trip out to the beach with your family – especially when they are right on your doorstep! Find out what surf scene is best for you and your level of surfing, or which place best suits you and your family. All fantastic for a day out or a long weekend, maybe even a couple of weeks over the summer holidays.

Firstly, there’s Longsands Bay in Tynemouth. The Geordie surf scene has flourished over many years, especially in Tynemouth. This is because it has the best swell direction at the North East end of the UK, with good offshore conditions from the South-West. In the North East, good surf is possible at all stages of the tide. The centre is the beach break of Longsands at Tynemouth.

There are big name local surfers at Longsands Bay. These names are Gabe Davies and Sam Lamiroy, winning British surfing titles all over the shop, both going on to achieve world renown.

Don’t you go worrying about having to bring absolutely everything surfing-wise with you to the beach, as surf board hire as well as surfing lessons can be arranged nearby the beach. Tynemouth is stocked with plenty of pubs, cafes and restaurants, as well as several more scenic routes to go for a wander down, along the coast road north to Bamburgh and Lindisfarne.

Secondly, why not try out Newgale, Pembrokeshire, in Wales? In 1952, the Pembrokeshire coastline was designated a national park, leaving only a few places in Britain as stunning as Newgale. It has a rugged landscape of lovely green hills, jagged cliffs and an array of beautiful beaches along the coastline.

The sheer size of Newgale means that big crowds of surfers are never really a large problem here. It allows you to surf in peace and quiet, however the quality of the waves depend on the general state of sandbanks along the coastline, and it also relies on the swell and wind direction.

This wonderful place offers great surfing for any surfer – whether you are a beginner, intermediate or expert!

Saunton Sands in Devon offers some very gentle, rolling waves along the coastline as well as a never ending shelving beach. Those two facts combined make Saunton Sands perfect for all beginner surfers. It is also well known for it’s fantastic quality for longboarding.

Just around the corner from Saunton Bay, you will find Croyde Bay; another great surf scene, however the surf is a lot more challenging, therefore it is more suitable for more experienced surfers. If you are only a beginner, Saunton Sands is better choice for you – the beach is so large that only a short walk will make sure you secure an uncrowded park.

Also...

Find out what surfing gear suits you best.

May Johnson, May 2015

What Are The Mechanics Behind Protest Summer Clothing?

Protest has everything for children of any age what ever they may need for the summer. Little Surfers are supplying a wide range of Protest summer clothing from infants through to teens. Whether you’re looking for summer clothing, UV/rash vests, board shorts, flip flops or swimwear, we have chosen a great selection of beach wear for your little surfers to wear all summer and many summers to come!

If you would rather lounge around on the beach, the Protest summer clothing range is perfect for just that - firstly, the t-shirts are made from 100% cotton. Why does cotton make these t-shirts so great? Well, cotton is breathable and also extremely soft, keeping you that much more comfortable all day long, all summer long! Not only are there t-shirts for the beach, but Protest also design fantastic board shorts for both boys and girls. The board shorts are made from 100% polyester, therefore they are all quick drying and chemically resistant, keeping your little surfers warm and safe in the great outdoors.

Reliability isn’t all that Protest offer within their summer range; with their brilliant colours and clever designs, there’s no doubt at all about your little surfers look great on the beach all summer.

Protest also has a fantastic range of rash vests. Not only do the rash vests protect you from all of your surroundings – bugs, plants, etc. – these vests will keep your children extremely well protected from those UV rays from the beaming sunshine. The Protest rash vests do come with plenty of funky designs on the front of the shirt, keeping your little surfers well protected whilst at the same time, looking good!

Little Surfers also offer Protest rash sets for girls, with matching a shirt and bottoms in stripy, spotty, or even flowery designs.

Then, for those children who just love the water, there’s the swimwear – all designed with 80% polyamide and 20% elastane, this makes them soft, well protected, comfortable, whilst looking great, and you now have all the essentials to choose the perfect swimwear! Protest have it all – with all the vivid colours and the stunning variety of designs and patterns, these swimwear pieces from Protest allow you to have the best possible experience on the beach.

We’ve now said it all – the Protest summer clothing range here at Little Surfers is comfortable, looks great and keeps you well protected for the rest of your holiday. Unbelievably, that is all you need!

May Johnson, June 2014

Who are Sposh? Top brand in UV clothing for kids from New Zealand explained

Sposh swimwear is a brand by Ozone made to protect your little surfers from the sun all day long! 

Sposh have been around for several years now with their number one aim in having a UPF in all their swimwear, hats, and beachwear. Designed in New Zealand – the perfect place to make summer swimwear – all products designed are functional while being stylish at the same time.

Sposh produce their products from fabric rated for its level of UV. Some textiles and fabrics employed in UV blocking protection may be pre-treated with UV inhibiting ingredients during manufacture to enhance their UV blocking capacity.

As sun protective clothing is usually meant to be worn during warm and humid temperatures, you want to know what to look out for! Features like dark dye, and a built-in fiber structure  (a product with lots of little textile structures built up). Also you must look out for moisture wicking and antibacterial properties to assist in making the swimwear for your little surfers that much more cooling and breathable.

So, what makes UV protection so important? There’s a short answer: Melanoma skin cancer is now the second most common cancer in young children in the UK. For more info see our website where UVA & UVB is explained in more detail and an interesting youtube video from Cancer Research UK.

Harmful UV rays from the sun causes sunburn and potentially skin cancer in later life. UV protection in conjunction with a good sun cream provides the best protection for your child’s sensitive skin. All Sposh beachwear is especially designed to keep your little surfers in mind by fully protecting them against the sun’s harmful UV rays, as all their products are made with UPF50+.

As well as protection against the sun, with Sposh’s bright colours and unique designs, your child will make all the other children on the beach jealous!

I hear you ask, what makes Sposh so fantastic? Well,  when it comes to Sposh swimwear or beachwear, there are two material options to select from, each with different reasons for whatever activity your child wanted to accomplish:

• The Cotton Blend sun suits would be the best option for the more hot resorts and tropical destinations, when in and out of the water. This is because the best thing about the cotton blend is that it stays damp for longer, keeping you cooled down all day long
• The other option would be the Italian Nylon Lycra sun suits. The fabric is chlorine resistant, so they don’t get damaged in the pool. This blend is also a quick dryer, making your little surfers warm a lot quicker after coming out of the pool.

To sum Sposh up, great protection from the sun protecting your little surfers from those extra hot sun beams, as well as being comfortable, long-lasting, and brilliantly stylish. Sposh ensures a happy summer for anyone and everyone!

May Johnson, May 2014

What's all the fuss about Teva sandals?

Teva have become well known around the World for making the best and most comfortable outdoor activity sandals for both adults and children. Little Surfers have the new kids summer 2014 range available now.

So who are Teva? Teva are from America and were established in 1984. They created the Original Sport Sandal for anyone and everyone no matter what activity it is that you choose to do.

Teva have been one and the same when it comes to comfort with T.I.D.E COMFORT. What exactly do you have to lose when your children stop moaning from sore feet? Nothing, that’s what! But what is it about Teva sandals that make them so definitively comfortable? They use a variety of elements and techniques, one of which is the ShocPad®. It has been specially created to protect you little surfers’ feet outdoors, by absorbing the shock from what ever it is that they decide to do – no blisters allowed! As Teva say, ‘the more aggressive the activity, the more important shock absorption becomes’.

“What if I get the correct shoe size for me, but it still feels far too tight around the rest of my feet?” I hear you ask. Problem solved! When it comes to Teva sandals, you are able to adjust the straps to whatever feels and fits the nicest on your little surfers’ feet.

Grip comes of a high importance when creating outdoor activity shoes. So, as well as there being T.I.D.E COMFORT, there is also T.I.D.E GRIP. Teva gave done their research well and have come up with DURABRASION. What does that mean? Well, Durabrasion is a rubber compound that is 100% designed to be able to take a beating, making a sandal perfect in order to last a very long time.

So, why Teva? You want some outdoor shoes that look great while at the same time are reliable, right? Well, when Teva is involved, with there being so many different styles with cute and fun designs, that looking great with Teva is as easy as pie!

http://www.littlesurfers.co.uk/teva/b15
http://www.littlesurfers.co.uk/teva/b15

However, I know what you’re really thinking when it comes to buying outdoor shoes – how long will they last? Then you have your answer – all summer long! And maybe several summers after that… whatever you choose to do. These sandals can sure take a beating, and with its Durabrasion complimenting the rest of the sandal, you can rest assured that you won’t be throwing away these any time soon!

Shop now for this season's Tevas For Kids

May Johnson, May 2014

Missing the skiing mountains? what about summer sun in the Alps...

As the ever increasing obesity epidemic gathers pace not just in the UK, but globally, so too does the notion that something needs to change. According to the latest official NHS statistics, 65% of British men are now overweight or obese, compared with 58% in 1993, and the figures for women have risen from 49% to 58% in the same period.  Coupled with this is the fact that almost a third of children aged between 2-15 are now clinically obese. But what exactly can be done to slow, and eventually revert, these concerning figures?

Well, contrary to popular opinion, a family summer holiday is emerging as the fashionable antidote to a healthier lifestyle. However, rather than plumping for a lazy fortnight at the beach, Brits are now swapping their golden sands haven for a more active adventure in the mountains. 

The Esprit Sun programme is a new and vibrant summer holiday experience aimed at young families looking to incorporate both relaxation and high energy action into a fantastically fun-filled summer getaway.

With unrivalled child care services spanning over 30 years, Esprit Sun can testify to having unravelled the magic formula to a successful trip abroad, as our impeccable record of recruiting only the best in childcare expertise has seen us become one of the leading family holiday operators in the country.

Aided by a plethora of immaculately furnished accommodation in Italy's Lake Garda and Belle Plagne of France, a host of exciting outdoor fun and games for fresh air enthusiasts awaits. The children can run wild in our flexible SunSquad Club for a day of kayaking, rock climbing  and circus skills - all of which is supervised by our highly reliable Esprit Rangers. Should you wish to scrap the idea of pre-prepared sandwiches, you can opt to sign your children in a for a full day of child care which includes a supervised lunch. 

Safe in the knowledge that the little ones are having the time of their lives learning to make kites and honing their beach volleyball techniques, you will have the opportunity to explore and sample a taste of either Mediterranean bliss or mountainous charm.

Lake Garda is an endearing lakeside town tucked away in an idyllic and historic corner of Italy, with walks to the castle atop the hill a possible activity as well as day trips across to the Mecca of romance - Venice. Our other sought after destination is Belle Plagne; the attractive village on the edge of the Vanoise National Park. It is set amongst rolling green pastures and pine woods, with panoramic vistas of the mountains all around. The resort is also benefited by leisure excursions including a spot of white water rafting and a day trip to Europe's cleanest lake in Annecy.

Also on offer is a family outing to Europe's eighth most popular theme park: Gardaland Park and Gardaland Sealife Aquarium. With its burgeoning variety of roller coasters, log flumes and shows, there are activities for all the family and the good news is that Esprit Sun is offering a free family ticket to all families staying at the Hotel Parc between the 7th of July and the 23rd of August.

If, however, all the excitement of an outdoorsy summer holiday gets too much for some, Dad's will be delighted to hear that a number of our properties will be showing England's World Cup games live from Brazil. Hopefully there will still be Three Lions matches on the box for those of you who book after the 24th June!

Whichever resort you decide to sojourn this summer, rest assured that you will have glorious fun orchestrating your very own family adventure from start to finish. Even if you need a good sit down upon returning to Blighty, take comfort from leaving behind the crowded beaches for mystical woodland and entertaining lakeside games as it might just change your perspective on future summer holidays...

Written by Samuel Balls – Esprit Sun

To book your own Summer Adventure please visit the Esprit Sun homepage or call their friendly reservation team on 01483 791919.