Mayor Jamie Driscoll joined a breathwork and meditation session by the sea at this year’s North Sea Weekender in Tynemouth.
Mayor Driscoll, the elected mayor of the North of Tyne Combined Authority (NTCA), said the Shore Yoga session led by Lorna Faye Kelly was about community, connection, and the outdoors.
“It’s important for all of us to get outside, to feel a connection with nature and with each other,” the dad-of-two said. “It’s been a privilege to take part, and a privilege for us at the North of Tyne to fund the Weekender.”
Mayor Driscoll spoke movingly on the issue of mental health, addressing the way in which stress, isolation, and poverty can affect us all. The Weekender returned to North Tyneside in August with a paddle board event kicking off a series of activities over the next few months.
The Big Dippa took place in August featuring competitive and fun paddle board competitions off Whitley Bay beach, alongside street food, a bar and live music at Spanish City Plaza from Whitley Bay Renaissance DJs Micky Mo, Paul Hulme and Stevie Baxter.
On bank holiday Monday the Weekender joined Dip Club Social with their monthly Deep North ‘Dunk n Doughnuts’ swim at King Edward’s Bay in Tynemouth, where swimmers can take a morning dip followed by a pre-ordered hot drink and doughnut, before taking away a special locally designed print.
September saw the North Sea Weekender’s first silent discos, at Cullercoats Beach.
On October 1, the Wellbeing Weekender featured a full weekend of yoga experiences and workshops, from Shore Yoga, held in marquee tents beside Tynemouth Surf Co.
The annual Tynemouth Surf Open hosted by Tynemouth Surf Co has been postponed, due to the weather.
North Sea Weekender is organised by North Tyneside Council and supported by NTCA. www.northseawkndr.com