At Dick Pearce we’ve always been committed to making durable, sustainable products designed and built right here in the UK. In recent years, this ethos has expanded beyond our bellyboards to encompass a whole range of gear, from blankets to bags. 

With these, it’s not just about shortening the supply chain and cutting out unnecessary haulage – but also a great opportunity for us to connect with local craftspeople. Through our various collaborations, we’ve drawn on the abundant creativity and expertise of those in our community working hard at doing what they love. 

For us, there’s no better work task than swinging by the studio of our friends at Brand88 or Rooted Ocean to chat about the waves and share ideas for new designs. Sure, you can organise an audit of a factory in China, but we’d always prefer to catch up with our suppliers over a coffee in person. That way, when we leave with an arm full of products, it's easy to guarantee our customers they’re underpinned with the ethics and quality craftsmanship on which we pride ourselves. 

Below, we’ll run you through some of the British-made products currently in the range, with a little nod to what makes them special and some more info on the doers and makers who brought them to life. 

Boards

For us, nothing carries our brand ethos better than the product that started it all; our bellyboards! Using timber sourced from sustainably managed forests, each piece of wood is cut, sanded, screen printed and finished right here in our Newquay HQ. We still use many of the traditional tools and techniques handed down from the Pearce family, and the elbow grease, care and attention that goes into each board remains entirely unchanged. Plus, our bespoke building process means that if you fancy, you can even design your own custom bellyboard. 

Bellyboard bags + Backpacks 

Bellybags kicked off what would become a long-running collaboration with our friends at Rooted Ocean, a North Cornwall-based studio, specialising in sustainable and handcrafted beach goods. They’re made in small batches from heavy-duty UK-made canvas, which means we create minimal waste and you get a product that lasts a lifetime. In fact, Rooted Ocean are so confident of their durability, they come with a lifetime repair guarantee!  

Building on the success of the bellybags, we recently added a new Rooted Ocean X Dick Pearce beach rucksack to the range too, featuring the same bold colours, high-quality British canvas and lifetime guarantee. Browse them here. 

Beach Changing Robes

This spring we were pleased to once again team up with Rooted Ocean to release our new supremely cozy changing towel, hand-stitched in Cornwall from thick organic cotton. Like the bags, these are small-batch items, packed with design features, like the double-lined hood, for added warmth and absorption. Browse them here. 

Blankets

When setting out to create a range of sustainable and super-soft throws, linking up with Atlantic Blankets was a no-brainer. Based just up the coast from us, they’re an independent family-run business that makes all their products in the UK. Our resulting GEO blanket collection is created entirely from recycled fabrics with a range of bold, reversible designs perfect for brightening up any beach day. 

“Our gorgeous recycled cotton blankets are something we are really proud of,” said Jem from the brand, “creating beautiful pieces out of scrap materials destined for retting.”

“If the end product wasn’t incentive enough, using these pre-dyed recycled materials also reduces greenhouse gases, conserves water, saves energy and negates the need for dyes and other harmful chemicals.”

Browse the range here.

Beanies

Surely the essential winter warmer, our beanies are made from 100% British wool, spun from finely selected yarns of the highest quality, and (you guessed it…) made in the UK! They’re available in two different styles and several colours. Browse the range here.

Candles

As part of our selection of gifts, we’re stoked to stock Keyvnor’s range of scented candles. Proudly plastic-free, they’re mixed and hand-poured in Cornwall using natural and sustainable wax. Plus, they use recycled labels and unique eco lids to lock in the fragrance. With scents including Eucalyptus and Kiva, they’re the perfect way to elevate the aroma of any living space (and particularly good in a bathroom at masking the smell of a slowly drying wetsuit.) Have a browse here. 

Look for this Handmade In Great Britain mark when browsing our shop to help you identify everything that’s been crafted on local shores. 

May 04, 2022 — Luke Gartside