A top Cornish hotel is making waves in the surfing world after commissioning its own environmentally friendly boards from a local business.

The Headland, which overlooks world famous surf spot Fistral Beach, has joined forces with fellow Newquay business Dick Pearce Bellyboards to offer guests a fun, greener way to enjoy the sea.

Veryan Palmer, Director, said: “We are so pleased to be supporting our guests to join the revolution against the discarded polystyrene boards that litter the Cornish beaches through the summer months, and will be encouraging everyone young and old to borrow a board and head out for some fun on the stunning beaches surrounding the hotel.”

Guests are encouraged to visit the onsite surf school, Surf Sanctuary, to pick up a board for a two-hour wave riding session, with no charge. Jamie Johnstone, joint owner of Dick Pearce Bellyboards, added: “It is great to have the iconic Headland Hotel supporting local businesses, particularly those that are focussing on environmental sustainability and the continuation of Newquay belly board construction.  

“We made the boards in the Headland colours and added an eco-marine varnish to keep them in tip top shape for the summer season.” The collaboration is part of a wider multi-agency initiative to use wooden boards rather than cheap polystyrene alternatives, which are routinely discarded at beaches in the town and at nearby Crantock and Holywell Bay.

Guests staying at The Headland Hotel or Cottages can hire a board for free from Surf Sanctuary, located on the lower ground floor level.  

The surf school team offer belly board coaching tips to anyone heading out for the first time and lessons can also be booked.

Wooden belly boards originated in Hawaii before becoming popular in the UK in the early 20th century.

Dick Pearce took over the business from his father Charles, who had begun to make belly boards in his family's tannery workshop when the popularity of surfing took off in the 1960s. 

Jamie and his business partner Andy were introduced to the original manufacturing methods used by Charles – a guarded family secret - after Dick passed away in 2010.

Editor's Notes

• BeachCare's body board recycling project involves local volunteers collecting the discarded polystyrene boards and storing them at Newquay Marine Group, where they are stripped into component parts

• SWM & Waste Recyling Ltd, based in Barnstaple, recycles the Expanding Polystyrene Sheets from the body boards thanks to the process set up by Ocean Recovery Project

• The World Bellyboarding Championships have been held at Chapel Porth, just along the north coast from Newquay, since 2003.• For more information on Dick Pearce Bellyboards visit www.dickpearce.com 

• For more information on The Headland visit www.theheadlandhotel.co.uk 

Issued by Flamingo Marketing on behalf of The Headland. Contact Matt@flamingo-marketing.co.uk or 01637 873379.