June in Hampton Beach

You might need a helmet for this one

June at Hampton Beach

You might need a helmet for this one

Certain things are woven tightly throughout the fabric of a Hampton Beach summer: Blink’s Fry Doe, free concerts at the Sea Shell Stage, a thrill or three from the Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom, and the annual Sand Sculpture Contest (a must-see!) Here’s a tasty sampling of some other beach activities. Some right on, and some off the beaten path. Some will entail a helmet. Others a bathing suit. Gear up accordingly, and enjoy!

Hey, June: What’s SUP?


Don’t know your surfboard from your Stand Up Paddleboard? Summer Sessions in Rye has you covered. Thursdays are Free Demo Night at the Surf Shop directly across from Jenness Beach. The night includes 1 hour on the rental surf or paddleboard of your choice (for free!) If you’re not necessarily interested in buying, but rather just trying, check out their adult nights, ladies only nights and camps. Surfing off Jenness Beach will provide you with some of the Seacoast’s sweetest wave culture.

The Biggest Baddest Game of Baggo on the Beach


OK, it’s not going to burn off all of those Fried Doe calories, but it’s a start. And, $500 is nothing to sneeze at. That’ll get you a night or three at the Ashworth. So, if you’ve got any skill at all in the sport of corn hole, get to Bernie’s Beach Bar on Tuesdays for the $500 Cornhole Tournament. You can buy us all Rum Runners when you win.

I want to ride my bicycle bicycle bicycle

If cycling’s your thing, you don’t need to rack up too many rest days when you hit Hampton Beach. Nearby Gus’ Bike Shop in North Hampton will see to it that you get your spinning in. In addition to new bikes and apparel, Gus’ is homebase to weekly rides including 25 mile Saturday rides, which return for their 46th season. You can also visit the virtual home of the Granite State Wheelmen. They offer Saturday night rides in North Hampton (men and women) and Thursday rides in North Hampton (women only). Or: If you want to venture off on your own at a more leisurely pace, try this ride. It can be either 19, 33, 48 or 63 miles (or till whenever your SAG wagon picks you up!) This ride will hit the ocean north of Hampton Beach on oh-so scenic Route 1A (keep your eye out for a mansion or two.) The return will be along local–quiet roads (not on Hampton Beach.) While Hampton Beach is wonderful, its density does not make for ideal cycling.

A leather-optional learning experience


For a different kind of cycling, sign up for Seacoast Harley-Davidson’s Riding Academy. Their new rider course can be completed within a condensed span of time, and the fee includes use of the 2015 Harley-Davidson Street 500. The Harley headquarters is about a 10-minute drive from Hampton Beach central.

Let’s see that jump serve!

Do you like to bump, set and spike with the best of them? Well, you don’t have to be *that* good at volleyball to enjoy these beachside activities. Check out two weekly co-ed beach volleyball nights offered via Meetup on Jenness Beach in Rye. A Little Beach Bump is Wednesdays and Portsmouth Coed Beach Volleyball is Thursdays throughout the summer. Both groups are easy going, and the only attitude you’ll need to have is a happy one.

Beach yoga is better


Bernie’s Beach Bar isn’t necessarily known for being mellow, but Sunday, June 10 is the Yoga at Bernie’s Summer Kickoff for Deck Yoga. We like their peppy write up, so we’re sharing: “Kickoff Summer with a fun Vinyasa Yoga Flow on the deck at Bernie’s Beach Bar! This-all levels yoga class will include a sunshining playlist, lots of smiles, and a little sweat to send you into the summer season! Stay after and hit the beach, or come back later for mimosas on the deck at Bernie’s! Please bring a yoga mat and water.”

Something to howl at

This will be a celestial treat indeed. Join Retreat 339 Yoga & Mindfulness when they offer a Full Moon Celebration AKA Beach Yoga Under the Full Moon. June’s night (immovable, of course) is June 28 from 7:45 to 8:30 p.m.