5 minute read
It’s not just about the gear; it’s about the people who wear it.
Recently, we headed to the wild Welsh coast for a milestone moment in our journey: the first-ever Dryrobe® Ambassador Camp. For three days, we traded the digital noise for the beauty of fforest Farm, bringing together our global community of athletes, adventurers, and trailblazers to do what binds us all: living a life outdoors.
Why an Ambassador Camp?
Since 2010, Dryrobe® has been more than a brand; it’s a tribe. While we’ve always worked with incredible individuals who push the limits of what is possible, they are often scattered across the world, from surfing monster waves in Nazare to ice swimming adventures in Antarctica.
We organised this inaugural camp to move beyond the screen and create proper, lived-in connection. It was an opportunity for Team Dryrobe® to explore the stunning Welsh countryside of Ceredigion together, sharing conversations, experiences, and that unmistakable post-activity glow that defines why we do what we do.
Our Base: fforest Farm
Nestled in 200 acres by the Teifi River gorge and adjacent to the Teifi Marshes nature reserve, fforest Farm was the perfect setting for us to connect with nature and each other.
Built around ethically sourced materials and local craft, with on‑site gardens supplying seasonal, organically minded produce for the kitchen, sustainability is considered at every step.
Between the geodesic domes and the smallest pub in Wales, Y Bwthyn, fforest is founded on a philosophy of enjoying the simplicity and beauty of outdoor living.
Meet the Team
The camp brought together our ambassador family, who were able to make the trip, with each one making waves in their own field:
Andrew Cotton
Trailblazing big wave surfer and star of HBO’s 100 Foot Wave.
Bárbara Hernández Huerta
World record-breaking endurance swimmer and Chilean ‘Ice Mermaid’.
Ben Skinner
WSL Longboard World Tour rider and one of Britain’s most decorated surfers.
Izzi Gomez
Big wave charger and Pan American Games gold medalist.
Cal Major
World record-setting paddleboarder and passionate advocate for the ocean.
Lila Skinner
Rapidly rising grom, with UK national junior titles already under her belt.
Lexi Kelly
Professional marathon swimmer and USA swim coach.
Siyanda Hewitt
South African Junior Team rider, dedicated to breaking down barriers in surfing.
Sophie Hellyer
Swimmer, surfer, writer, yoga coach, and builder of cold water communities. 
Lucy Campbell
Eight-time UK national women’s surf champion.
Louis Thomas Hudson
Pro big wave surfer and former captain of the Team GB Junior Surf Team.
Life at Camp: Three Days of Connection
The schedule was intentionally simple, focused on making the most of fforest Farm and the stunning surroundings.
Day One: After meeting at The Wave in Bristol, we all set off in convoy for Ceredigion, with some of the crew getting their first glimpse of the breathtaking Welsh countryside.
We kicked things off at fforest with tea and cake, before heading out on a walk through the woods for a cold water dip in the golden hour light.
Day Two: The morning kicked off for some with a misty trail run along the Teifi River before breakfast. A presentation by Djuane, our Head of Product, followed, which included an opportunity to get to know the groundbreaking Dryrobe® Pure ahead of its official launch.
We then headed out on a coastal hike to Traeth Bach, also known as Secret Beach, for a saltwater dip together, before stopping off for lunch and a game of rounders on Llangrannog Beach.
Back at fforest Farm, Sophie ran a breathwork and restorative yoga session to help everyone reset. We rounded off the day with conversations around the campfire and some competitive rounds of Monopoly Deal!
Day Three: The morning was spent on a canoe adventure along the stunning Teifi gorge. Where the ambassadors paired up and paddled upstream before heading back to take on the rapids.
After lunch, we held product workshops to go in depth on our product range and the fabrics we use. This was followed by a relaxing visit to the Nature Spa, with a cedar barrel sauna, wood-fired hot tub and cold plunge barrel.
After dinner, we were treated to a storyteller around the cosy campfire, sharing tales of Welsh folklore.
Building Lifelong Connections
This was the first time many of our Ambassadors had met in person, and it was great to see those connections made in real time, with ideas shared and plans forged for future adventures together.
A Collective Effort
A massive shoutout to our partners who helped make the camp possible, including Ford who supplied the transportation for camp, Vivobarefoot, who kitted the team out with footwear, YETI, who gifted each ambassador a personalised engraved water bottle, along with Wavelength surf mag, Exhale Coffee, Goodrays, Suntribe sunscreen, Pentire drinks and Huel, who all gifted the team with quality supplies for the trip.
And of course, a huge thank you to the team at fforest for their incredible hospitality.
Film and Photography by Maddie Meddings.
Published on May 28, 2026
