CLOTHES MAKE THE MAN

Santa Cruz Skateboards has been an industry-leading manufacturer of board sports lifestyle products for over 50 years. Established in 1973, Santa Cruz defined a generation with eye-popping graphics and innovative products that continue to resonate with tastemakers, professional riders and younger generations. With some of their graphics being some of the most iconic in skateboard history. Santa Cruz is a mecca for skate and surf culture.

This lifestyle collection blends Santa Cruz’s beginnings in surf culture, its esteemed position within the skateboarding community, and creativity with reworks of their iconic skate collaborations, logos and silhouette whilst bringing fresh takes to previous classics.

Santa Cruz unveils a fresh interpretation of its classic graphics, drawing inspiration from the world of varsity sports. Among the highlights is the iconic Screaming Hand, reimagined with a playful foam treatment, featured not only on t-shirts but also as a the classic foam hand. Another standout piece is the ‘Til the End Worldwide’ graphic story, which takes centre stage on a striking vest and shorts ensemble. Additionally, the collection showcases the collegiate strip logo, meticulously appliquéd onto unisex fit hoodies and shorts crafted from 330gsm loopback fleece. 

Collaborations with long-standing and new Santa Cruz skateboarders introduce bold tiger prints from Steve Alba, demon face prints from Tom Knox, and Rob Pace’s Dungeon print. Consisting of denim, hoodies, statement tees, trousers, and accessories, the collection is perfect for easy summer styling.

The number of Britons experiencing stress or burnout in the workplace doubled in 2023 compared to the previous year, according to new research from Indeed Flex, the online marketplace for flexible and temporary work.

A staggering 92% of UK employees admit to experiencing burnout or stress in the workplace during their careers. However the strain has grown rapidly as post-pandemic labour shortages intensified workloads. In 2023 the proportion of UK workers grappling with poor mental health skyrocketed to 37%, almost double the 19% who experienced problems during 2022.

A fifth (19%) of workers have already suffered from burnout or stress in 2024 so far.

The primary factor behind the escalating burnout and stress levels is higher workloads, with 58% of workers citing this as the root cause, while 42% say it’s due to persistent staff shortages. Meanwhile, a third (34%) of employees say their stress and burnout is due to pressure from bosses to work overtime and extend their hours.

The labour market remains tight, with official data showing there were 916,000 vacancies across the UK in the first three months of 2024, with a fifth of adults classed as economically inactive^[2]. The number of people out of work because of long-term sickness rose to over 2.5 million people at the end of 2023, an increase of more than 400,000 since the pandemic.

Over a third of workers (34%) say they have called in sick as a result of burnout, nearly a quarter (23%) have taken time off using their annual leave and 16% have been signed off work due to the effect on their mental health.

Burnout and stress have led many to re-evaluate their work lifestyle and career choices. Nearly two fifths (38%) of UK workers agree that temporary work offers a better work-life balance and 30% believe it can enable people to scale up or down hours depending on their mental health.

A third (33%) also believe it can be a great way to rebuild their confidence before returning to full-time or part-time employment.

Novo Constare, CEO and Co-founder of Indeed Flex, said: “The unrelenting demands on today’s workforce have pushed too many employees to breaking point through stress and burnout.

“Employers’ difficulty in recruiting and ongoing staff shortages have left existing employees overwhelmed, shouldering longer hours and heavier workloads. This has upset the work-life balance of many people, as work encroaches on the free time they need to rest and relax.

“The burnout crisis is also leaving many businesses stuck in a vicious cycle, with staff who call in sick or get signed off adding to the burden on other employees.

“Temporary work could be the answer, both for burnt-out employees and for businesses struggling with staff shortages.

“By giving people more control over their schedules and the ability to choose which shifts they work, temporary roles offer a way to better integrate work with life’s other demands.

“This flexibility empowers workers to find the right balance and can be a powerful antidote to the rigid schedules that so often lead to burnout among those in traditional, permanent roles.

“For businesses, employing temporary workers fills gaps without adding to the workload of permanent staff, reducing burnout risk.”

Britain’s beaches made headlines last year as sewage spilled into England’s seas had more than doubled with a total of 3.6 million hours of spillages from water companies, according to the Environment Agency.

A recent study by waste collection company, Clear It Waste has found which UK beaches have the best water quality for those looking to enjoy a swim as the weather looks set to heat up dramatically in the coming weeks.

The study examined over 400 beaches across the UK between 2018 to 2024, looking at various factors relating to the water surrounding them, including suspension due to sewage, the average Intestinal Enterococci count (E. faecalis) and the Escherichia coli count (E. coli). The study then determined an overall water cleanliness score out of ten.

Key Findings:

• Fistral South is the best beach for swimmers, with an overall water cleanliness score of 9.99/10

• A total of 11 beaches in Cornwall had a cleanliness score of 9.98/10

• Over 300 UK beaches were ranked nine and above for water quality

The UK’s cleanest waters for swimmers

Waste collection company, Clear It Waste found that out of the 419 UK beaches analysed, over 300 had a cleanliness ranking of nine and above out of 10.

But with an outstanding cleanliness score of 9.9/10, Fistral South has been named the best beach for swimmers.

Located in Cornwall, the waters surrounding this beach have been labelled as excellent for the past four years, and is a top venue for major international surfing competitions, making it a much loved setting for holiday makers, water babies and water sports super fans.

A further 17 beaches scored a total of 9.98/10, with a total of 11 being based in the ever-so popular holiday spot Cornwall, suggesting this is a prime location for avid water sport fans.

The following six beaches all received the same cleanliness score of 9.98 out of 10:

Christchurch Bay, New Forest, is a perfect spot for a coastal walk with views of the Isle of Wight and the Needles. This spot was awarded the highest rating for water quality by the Environment Agency receivingthree stars, spanning across Mildford-on-Sea and Sandbanks.

A second New Forest favourite, approximately 20 minutes from Christchurch Bay, Milford-on-Sea is a perfect destination for divers, but with the beach not having lifeguards, extra care is key to safely enjoying the fresh water.

Calm waters and smooth pebbles, Slapton Sands Torcross in South Hams is perfect for explorers with a large freshwater lake backing the beach, this beach homes  some of the UK’s rarest flora and fauna.

With sand dunes near to the fishing village, Seahouses North beach in Northumberland hosts wonderful water quality for birdwatchers and sea anglers with a view of Farne Island in the distance.

Known as the English Riviera, Meadfoot’s beach in Torbay is one of the most popular holiday destinations in the country with clean and calm waters. But not to forget, holiday makers can also soak up the famous Agatha Christie’s home.

Haven of tranquillity and sand dunes, Shell Bay Northalso ranks as one of the best options to enjoy a swim, or for those who prefer staying dry, is a perfect spot to watch ships coming through, including the impressive Condor Ferries on route to the Channel Islands.

A  further 12 beaches analysed all received a total ranking of 9.97 out of 10 such as a further seven located in Cornwall.