A North Devon Council has become the first in the country to ban the sale of polystyrene bodyboards. Perhaps Cornwall should follow suit?
What’s the problem?
The cheap polystyrene bodyboards (often sold by supermarkets) break up very quickly and become unusable sometimes after only one use. They are almost disposable in their nature and very rarely last more than one season. They end up polluting the oceans or in landfill.
The boards leave a trail of destruction in the form of tiny polysterne balls and particles which are making their way into the oceans and affecting the food chain.
It’s incredible how many of these boards are abandoned on the beach or left piled high by bins on the beach. In North Devon over 600 bodyboards were collected from 3 beaches in just one month! According to Tidy Britain – around 16,000 are found annually! I have seen first hand countless bodyboards abandoned or broken on Cornish beaches too.
Here is a video of some of the work BeachCare do – look at those boards! https://fb.watch/3DJ-lUZuYV/
How can I help?
Why not hire a board for the day from one of our local surf shops? You’ll find them by most beaches. I’ll list a couple below and you can often book & pay online. The hire charges are reasonable and you’ll get a much better quality bodyboard – perfect for catching Cornish waves.
If you think you’ll use it lots, why not invest in a high quality board which won’t break up or even a wooden belly board? You’ll find loads of retailers all over Cornwall with plenty of helpful info on which is the best board for you.
The Pit Surf Shop in St Merryn – 10 minutes by car
Hires out all sorts of surf kit and sells it too. Book online for easy collection
https://www.thepitsurfshop.co.uk/shop
Harlyn Surf School & Hire
You’ll find all types of hire equipment as well surf lessons. Book online.
Already got your own body board or surf board?
Why not bring them with you? We have an outhouse available for guests which is perfect for storing your board during your stay. You’ll find the key for the left-hand outhouse in the kitchen on the hooks.
