A Studland beachside business is about to expand the UK’s greenest fleet of company cars with the addition of four open top Porsches.
Like the dozen VW Beetle convertibles which Studland Watersports already has, the Porsches will run on pedal power and only on water at that, so won’t be able to solve the country’s reliance on fossil fuels any time soon!
The hydro Porsche convertible with slide will be the latest arrival at Studland
Part of a range which includes ducks and dragons
But as the UK’s only sea cars, they are expected to be in huge demand on Knoll Beach, Studland, through summer 2023.
Made by Spanish company La Noria, the hydro cars are part of a range including pedalos in the shape of ducks, dragons, swans, unicorns and flamingos which can be seen at resorts and waterparks around the Mediterranean – but nowhere else in the UK.
Taking some of the cars out for a spin!
A great introduction to the water
Tracy Waters, who owns Studland Water Sports with her husband Paul, said:
“We had been on holiday in Majorca and saw some of these water cars being used, and we both thought they were amazing. We shipped some over to Studland for summer 2022, the first ever in the UK, and they have proved really popular.
“We currently have eight Beetles in our fleet and we are adding to them with four Porsches with slides, which should arrive in the next month, in time for the summer holidays.
“These pedal-powered watercraft are a great introduction to watersports and perfect if you want to chill out on the sea. If they are handled correctly, you can stay dry and admire the Jurassic Coast from the water, or you can jump off into the water for a cooling swim instead.”
The pedal trike, an alternative to taking a car out on the water
Stand up paddle boards are also hired out by the watersports team
Safety advice included before setting out
Watersports team members, all qualified sailors, boarders or lifeguards, will give safety advice before the car heads out onto the sea.
Any children using the equipment must be eight years of older, able to reach the pedals and confident in the water.
Studland Water Sports also offers windsurfing, body boards, stand up paddle boards, kayaks, water skiing, dinghies, rib rides, banana boat rides – and also deckchairs for those who want to take things easier.
Another new addition to the business is the Studland sauna hut, introduced from Scandinavia in January 2022 which proved incredibly popular during the colder months but is still used even when the sun is out.
Kayakers meet one of the hydro Beetles on Studland Bay
Looking out for customers, there’s always a welcome at the watersports shack
“We live, breathe and work watersports”
Tracey said:
“This is our 24th summer here, we set up in May 2000. Paul and I have always had a big interest in beaches and boating, as children and with family and we knew the guy who ran this business before us.
“We knew immediately it was for us and we were lucky to be in the right place at the right time, we registered our interest with the National Trust and were lucky enough to get the business.
“We live, breathe and work everything watersports, it’s our passion and if we are not helping other people get out onto the water, then it’s likely we’ll be sailing, boarding, skiing or swimming in it.
“Our aim is to provide safe, quality equipment to people of all ages so they can experience the amazing beauty and fun of the water here at Studland for themselves.
“We love seeing people’s passion for the water grow, especially the young children we kit out on their first watersports experience who then come back year after year, building confidence and skills.”
Studland’s Knoll Beach as it was for families in the 1960s
Today, equipment for hire includes pedal cars, paddle boards and even a sauna hut
Further information
- Check out the range of adventures offered by Studland Water Sports at its website
