Beach Etiquette Refresher

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It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Beach season is finally upon us which means long, lazy days full of sun, sand, and surf. Keep the vibe high by brushing up on key beach etiquette tips which promise to make the experience as amazing as the ocean itself.

Keep It Clean
As a beach-goer, you already know that spending time on the shore is like escaping to a little slice of paradise. No one wants to sink their toes in the sand only to feel the slimy sensation of a discarded sandwich bag (or worse.) As a general rule, try to keep your beach supplies eco-friendly. Opt for reusable containers and water bottles. If you must bring something that’s destined for the landfill, be absolutely certain that it leaves the beach when you do.

Silence is Golden
The surf pounding, children laughing, seagulls calling…the soundtrack to a day at the beach really can’t be beat. As tempting as it may be to break out your state-of-the-art wireless sound system and treat everyone within a 20 foot radius to a concert al fresco, just don’t. Not everyone shares your love for alt-country so it’s probably best to pop in those earbuds if you absolutely can’t live without some tunes.

Gone With the Wind
When applying spray-on sunscreen or shaking out the sand that’s managed to creep into every fibre of your towel, make sure that you check the direction of the wind. It’s one of those things that is easy to forget about but trust us, you only make this mistake once. No one likes to be on the receiving end of flying sand or secondhand sunscreen.

Fill’er Up, Please
For some reason, there’s just something so incredibly satisfying about digging holes in the sand. Whether excavating complicated networks of tunnels or searching for buried treasures, getting your hands dirty on the beach is a lot of fun. Dig on, amateur archaeologists! Just be sure to fill in those holes before you head home for the day. You definitely don’ want to be responsible for a fellow beach-goer’s twisted ankle.

Obey the Whistle
Lifeguards are there for a reason. Not to harsh your mellow but to keep you safe and happy. So if you hear a whistle, take a moment to check that it’s not intended for you. Are you climbing the dunes when the sign says not to? Swimming in restricted water? Pestering shorebirds? Check yourself before you wreck yourself and heed the guard’s warnings.

Location, Location, Location
Before dropping the cooler, chairs, umbrellas, towels, toys, and all other manner of beach paraphernalia, take a moment to scan your surroundings. Are you setting up camp in front of someone else, blocking their view of the ocean? Are you creeping into someone’s personal space despite there being tons of other spots to settle? Are you and your 5 children settling in beside a retired couple who seem to be in the mood for some peace and quiet? If the answer to any of these questions is yes, it’s time to relocate. Crowded beaches can be hard to maneuver and no one’s expecting perfection but a little consideration goes a long way.