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Local schools enjoy Beach Fun Day in the sun

Students studying university courses at Falmouth Marine School ran a successful beach fun day at Hayle Towans for Year 7, 8 and 9 pupils from local schools.

The students organised the event to get children aged between 8-12 years out and active on the beach and involved in outdoor sport.   

Mike McDonald and Hannah Cox studying Marine Sport Science Foundation Degree organised the event for the final assessment of the Marine Event Management module on their course. The module includes finding sponsorship for the event, getting in touch with schools, organising safety cover as well as managing the volunteers on the day. 

The coaching volunteers consisted of National Diploma Watersport level 2 students, who used the event as part of their coaching assessment for their course and Hayle Surf Life Saving club who provided safety cover along with watersports lecturers from Falmouth Marine School.

On Wednesday 2nd May, over 40 children from Cape Cornwall, Humphry Davy, St Ives and Hayle Schools flocked to Hayle beach and enjoyed a full day of beach games and water relay races in the glorious sunshine.  

Mike and Hannah, who have been planning the event since before Christmas, held it to bring local schools in the Penwith District together in a competitive yet friendly environment. The event was supported by Hayle Surf Life Saving club, Blue Sea Surf School and Freeriders Surf shop. 

One of the organisers, Hannah Cox said: “As a team we found this event to be very challenging and also exciting to run. It gave us the opportunity to apply the skills and knowledge we have gained in the first part of the year to a very real environment with real people and real stakeholders.  All competitors had a great time and we managed to achieve the aims we have set for ourselves at the start of the project.”

Mrs Wardman, teacher from St Ives School, said: “The students did a fantastic job; they were very professional and put a tremendous amount of work into making it a great success. The event ran without a hitch and everyone had great fun.  We brought children that are not in any school teams or participate in much sport; they all said what a fantastic day they had.  I was especially impressed by how the students worked with everyone involved and balanced the needs of each pupil to ensure a safe enjoyable day was had by all.”

Each beach event was scored throughout the day and a presentation was given before the pupils returned to their buses.  Hayle School won first place, with every team member receiving a £5 gift voucher donated by Freeriders in Falmouth.  All participants received goodie bags and although tired left with smiles on their faces. 

Blue Sea Surf School, based in Hayle provided wetsuits and surfboards for the pupils, when Manager Sam Bennett was asked why he got involved he said:  “It’s all about grass roots, getting young people to have a go at something they may not have considered before.  I was more than happy to support this event and give something back to the local community.”

Dan Newsome, Watersports Programme Manager, said: “All the students did a fantastic job; it was a great day and the perfect way to start the season.  The children got to meet others from local schools in a friendly and fun environment and it also highlighted opportunities to get involved in fun sports on the beach.”

Dave Linnell, Principal of Cornwall College of which Falmouth Marine School is part of commented: “This was a great activity for the local schools and a tremendous success for the students. Well done to everyone involved.”

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