Ambassadors

Stephen Dickson

Founder, CEO & 1st Ambassador

Stephen Dickson is the founder of Beat the Tide, a not‑for‑profit beach festival and Community Interest Company based at Pendine Sands in West Wales, using live music events to tackle suicide and support better mental health across the region.

Stephen (right) with the legend Shane Williams at Tenby Rocks.

A veteran promoter best known for his work on Brighton's Mammothfest metal festival, he brings decades of grassroots music, community outreach and event‑management experience to building safer, more connected communities.

As resident DJ at TENBY ROCKS in Tenby every Saturday, Steve has amassed an incredible following of people who enjoy nothing more than to dance to gorgeous music in the sun on a Saturday afternoon. It is so good for the soul and certainly plays a part in beating back the tide of poor mental health.

Having lost his mother to suicide in 2019 and experienced the loss of many friends to suicide throughout the years, it became too much to just sit back and watch current systems continue to fail to stop this epidemic.

It needs to stop. It is too painful now but it can be prevented.

Gary Hicks

Director & Former Newport RFC Hooker

Former Newport RFC hooker and stalwart of the front row, Gary brings his passion for Welsh rugby and community sport to Beat the Tide as our very first sporting icon ambassador.

After nine seasons in the Newport first team and spells with Cross Keys and Pontypool, Gary now channels that same grit and commitment into inspiring the next generation, making him the perfect figurehead for our campaign to beat the tide of mental health crises and suicide.

As a highly respected sportsman, Hicks will be actively promoting our Beat the Tide events, encouraging other sporting inspirations to become ambassadors, attend our events and most importantly, help us to spread the ultimate message that "you can beat your own tide", you can find life after crisis and we will be rugby tackling the suicide stigma head on with strong bold conversations about what suicide is and how it CAN be beaten.

Our massive thanks to Gary for taking the bold step to lead by example here and for your incredible support recently.

Josh Navidi

Wales, British & Irish Lions & Cardiff Rugby

Former Wales, British & Irish Lions and Cardiff Rugby international Josh Navidi joins Beat the Tide as an Ambassador, lending his voice to our mission of bringing communities together, supporting wellbeing and helping tackle suicide across west Wales.

Off the pitch, Josh is a committed supporter of good causes across Wales. He has helped coach the Match for Mental Health in aid of LooseHeadz and Tough Enough to Care, cycled from Cardiff to Paris for MEDSERVE Wales, and used his testimonial year to raise money for charities close to his heart.

Proud of his Welsh roots and a keen DJ, Josh is a natural fit for a festival built on music, community and looking after each other.

James Haskell

England & British & Irish Lions, Broadcaster & DJ

Former England and British & Irish Lions rugby international, broadcaster and DJ James Haskell joins Beat the Tide as an Ambassador, supporting our work to connect communities, promote wellbeing and help tackle suicide across west Wales.

Behind the decks for more than a decade, James is a respected house and tech house DJ and producer. He has released tracks on Toolroom and Defected Records and played Ministry of Sound, Fabric, Creamfields, Ibiza and Dubai. 

Off the pitch, he speaks openly about the value of looking after your mental health. He is Vice Chair of Restart Rugby, which offers 24/7 confidential counselling to players and their families, and he supports charities including Sebastian's Action Trust, Help for Heroes and the Matt Hampson Foundation.

With his love of music and honesty about mental health, James brings exactly the spirit Beat the Tide stands for.