Life’s A Beach with D6 Surfskimmers and HangTen

{The following is a charming little story, made possible through sponsorship by D6. It is all true, which makes it even better. And? Everyone lives happily ever after.}

The Belmar Beach Party was a highlight of the #JerseyLove trip this past June! The day was designed to be the main social good component of our press trip to help restore New Jersey tourism after Sandy did quite a number on it last year. We were thrilled to sign D6 as our social good sponsor and even more thrilled when they suggested we throw a beach party with the opportunity to check out their newly launched surf skimmers and (not yet available) Hang Ten surf boards. 

Then the big day arrived and it was soggy. Tropical Storm Somebody was pushing through and dumping warm rain on our parade. Instead of beach umbrellas and sunblock, we moved inside the iconic Djais to hang out, have a bite to eat and stay dry. The weather was not going to stop us from having fun and even though it was raining, we were still going to attempt surfing.

Then…the shark report came in. 

Moms wearing wetsuits that make them look like yummy seals + man eating sharks = NO WAY. I'm a California girl. I can surf almost any day of the week - on non-shark infested water days. But these girls? They be Cray-Cray. 

They all kept saying that they wanted to get in the water because of the chance to surf with the classic beach brand HANG TEN and try the innovative new D6 surfskimmers. That, this was a chance to do something rare and even a little dangerous. But honestly, I think the hot surfer dudes served as the best motivation.

The only real bummer was that we didn’t get to do much surfskimming with the kids. I do know a little insider info about the boards, designed for kids ages 5-12:

• It is a must-have innovative skimboard introduces action sports to beginners who have always wanted to shred like their idols, (or their moms if they were on the JerseyLove trip.)
• It’s is a fun, innovative skimboard with gripper technology designed to give kids a chance to skim and advance quickly within minutes on the water; because we all know that a kid’s attention span is about 5 minutes max. Ease of use and fast learning is ESSENTIAL.
• A first-of-its-kind product, the SurfSkimmer is a skimboard with a detachable arm extension and handlebar that allows kids to run and glide without losing balance.
• Nothing is worse than trying to clean a sandy injury and get a band aid to stick while at the beach. Avoiding injury is a good thing.
• Once kids are ready to ride without the handle, they can remove it and skim just like the pros. Plus, the failed attempts make for hilarious YouTube content! ;-)

It is like learning to surf with training wheels! Take a look:

Since we didn’t have a chance to really try it out, D6 was kind enough to offer us a discount on the boards once we got back to our homes and respective beaches! Not only that, but you can all get one at a discounted rate too. Yup, we can all be cool parents for 20% less than retail price. Just use: jerseylove at checkout and prepare to be the most coveted parent on the beach. You’re welcome.

Despite the crummy weather and fear of being shark snacks, we had a blast. Life really is a beach, rain or shine, when you have D6 and Hang Ten to make it fun! 

*Disclosure: This post is sponsored content as part of my agreement as a participant of the #JerseyLove event. 

#JerseyLove: I've Got The Jersey Shore on my MIND.

I leave Wednesday night for the east coast to show "The Shore" some good old #JerseyLove. 

The closer it gets, the more excited I get about spending some time on on an East Coast beach. I can't wait to walk the board walk, eat some salt water taffy, ride a ride on Steel Pier, have lunch at D'Jais in Belmar, surf the waves on the "right-hand coast" and have some fun at Caesars in AC!

But before I head out on that red-eye flight cross-country, I have some business to take care of. Like a TWITTER PARTY to get us all PUMPED UP for the fun. And? Give away a few D6 Skimmers!

Have you seen these skimboards yet? They just launched this past week and I can't wait to get my hands on one - for Lucas of course! Tonight from 6 PM PST/ 9EST the women of #JerseyLove are having a twitter party to get us all ready for our trip and get everyone excited about heading to the Jersey Shore this summer. 

REGISTER BELOW (via RAFFLECOPTER) to win!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Log On to Twitter and follow along with the #JerseyLove hashtag, or follow anyone of of the fabulous #JerseyLove mamas:

@FashOrganized  @FoundtheMarbles @IamJessicaCohen @westphillymama @hchybinski  @mommyreporter  @desireepeeples  @theposhparent @lisa_frame @shanamama9197  @kadiprescott  @ckrusch  @easylearnlang    @childrenmore @bilingualbuddie @kcocina4 @desireenallen  @AMadisonMom @ShutterBugGeek @FoodAllure @LynetteRadio  @AMagicMommy   @CapeMayMoms    @FamFriendlyAC    @4hatsandfrugal @CherylBudge   @YoungMommy  @RitzKing  @betterwaymoms @SweetSadieMarie  @amybhole  @queenmotherblog @Mamanista @ElizabethNorton @rajean @babypop @superexhausted @biggirlguide  @sickosinc  @sherryaikens  @carolacain  @daily_pinch  @mommyality  @str8upcrafty @HipMamaB @JerseyMomsBlog  @Buzzmommy  @Bloganthropy  @MamasLtlHelper @hotmomsclubbuzz @TravelgirlSteph  @YippyMomma

 See you all on Twitter tonight!

Social Media for Good: #JerseyLove A Trip to Help Restore the Shore

You know you're a west coaster when you call the area by the beach "the coast." While I can tell you all about the Pacific Coast Highway, beaches in Southern Cali and surf spots to hit in San Diego, I can not tell you ONE thing about the Jersey Shore - except that it was devastated last year by Hurricane Sandy. 

As a coastal-living person, my heart went out to all those who sat and watched as thier beloved shops, restaurants and favorite spots got washed away into the Atlantic. I've heard stories from friends of the amazing summer vacations walking along boardwalks, eating all kinds of yummy foods and making life-long memories while dipping their toes in the Atlantic Ocean. I hated the fear that the shore would not recover for future generations to also have these memories. But once again, what could I do from out here? 

How about take a little trip out east to see how the other half lives? 

Next month, I will be joining about 39 other social media mom rockstars in the first Social Media for Good retreat. June 6-9th I'll will be hitting the shores of New Jersey to raise awareness for and promote the re-opening of the Jersey Shore for the 2013 summer season. The four-day #JerseyLove Retreat, hosted by Caesar’s Entertainment and D6 Sports, is aimed at encouraging the public to visit the Jersey Shore again, this year more than ever. 

I have to admit - this is also going to be a whole lotta fun. 

Seeing Atlantic City for the first time, we are all being hosted at Caesar’s Palace during the time we are there. The actual #JerseyLove Retreat kicks off with activities such as a Taste of Caesar’s dining event, wine tasting, Ladies Night Out at Harrah’s Pool After Dark and a shopping trip to support local businesses. On Friday June 7, the group will travel to Belmar, one of the hardest hit towns along the shoreline, for a beach day event where skimboard and surf lessons will be provided courtesy of D6 Sports.

Since my surfing in the Pacific has been well, less than stellar, I'm hoping to rip it up in Belmar!

There will be lots of pictures. There will be lots of tweets and updates. I'm really excited to check out life on the other coast. 

Do you have a great memory of the Jersey Shore? Any tips on things I need to do, see or eat while in Atlantic City? 

DISCLOSURE: The Social Media for Good #JerseyLove retreat is being sponsored by D6 Sports and Caesar's Entertainment. This includes accommodations, meals and transportation. All opinions are my own.