Skim boards

Nicola, Pete, Lola and Nell want to travel the world with a difference. We hope to get a taste of many countries without adding to climate change (with needless emissions from aeroplanes) or having to waste hours of holiday time in airport terminals. We hope our adventures inspire you to take a Grand Tour of your neighbourhood whatever the weather. This post is from Nicola

The girls love jumping the waves at Bigbury-on-Sea, but it’s clear the other children at this blue flag beach are enjoying using body boards through the quite gentle surf. Although I know it can’t stay this hot I decide to buy them something similar – a painted wooden (ply) version that turns out to be a skim board. Not only can you surf with it, you can also slither it along the shallows, jump on and look as if you are gliding into the sunset. It helps if you are a teenage boy.

Successful skim boarding may be cool, but it’s also very easy to fall off and bust bits of you - and the poor person you’ve crashed into. As a result I will be leaving the ones I’ve bought as a gift for my lovely friend Kerry who has kindly lent us her house in this area. Cross fingers her kids stay safe on it.