Ahh, the beach. Seagulls flying low overhead, young and old alike frolicking in the sand, and the scent of saltwater wafting in the air. Paradise right? Well, maybe not. I’ve been on too many beach ventures to know that often times small things weigh heavily on the fun of going to the beach. This article is designed to help you avoid certain pitfalls when preparing and going to the beach.

Getting Ready

So you have decided to go to the beach, good for you! It’s time for you to consider which beach to go to. This will differ depending on what your goal is on your beach trip. Say you want to tear the waves up whether it be surfing, boogie boarding, or anything else. Then research a good place that has consistent gnarly waves. Or perhaps this is a family outing with children. Perhaps you should find a nice sandy beach where there is a short walk between the car and the water. Maybe you are planning an all day beach activity. Perhaps pick a beach that is close to a restaurant or perhaps local fare. The point is, there are so many different types of beaches that doing a little bit of research before you get in your car will make your trip that much more enjoyable. Doing a little research ahead of time will also alert you to the risk of possible rip-tide, red-tide, or other hazards. This is a smart move and easily accomplished with a few search quires in google or other search engine.

It’s also good to go with a friend or relative. Not only does this give you a chance to bond with that person, but it also is better. You can spread carrying things among more than one person, You have more than one person keeping an eye on your stuff, and the general rule of “the more the merrier” applies.

Packing up!

So you have found that perfect beach and it is time to get your stuff ready. I always remember this key piece of advice: Don’t pack something unless it has a purpose. Unsure if you want to dig in the sand? don’t bring the shovel. It is as simple as that. The less you bring the easier it is to carry, no one wants to take multiple trips to the car to get everything. Get some essentials and leave the rest; Umbrella to spare you from the sun, towel to lie down on or dry yourself off, Suntan lotion to ward off the mean UV rays, and anything else you plan to use. Everything else is extra. Don’t just take something because you might need it. If you plan to play football then by all means take it, just remember that no one wants to lug out some bulky extra thing that ends up going to no use. Take the essentials and be happy with what you got. There are a few important exceptions to this rule.

1. If you are planning to eat on the beach, get a small lunchbox cooler and pack it fully. Bring pre-made foods like sandwiches or fun snacks and over-pack. You might not know how hungry you are after a full day of playing on the beach. As another important tip, make sure your food is in it’s own individual casings. Dropping the cooler on the beach and getting sand in your food has a souring affect on one’s mood.
2. Sunscreen. A trip can be ruined by a painful sunburn in the wrong places. Make sure you have enough sunscreen; if you are unsure if you have enough get another bottle. It’s better to be safe then sorry.
3. Coins. Make sure your car is stock full of them. If you park by a meter or happen to come across one of those insane restrooms which charge you to use the can, you want to come prepared. Make sure you have enough money for the trip, and never underestimate the power of the quarter.

Just think about what you need a little bit before packing up the back of the car. Take what you need and what you are comfortable carrying and you are set. If you find out that you really really wanted something else that you happened not to bring, well you know for next time. And it gives you an excuse to come out again, next time prepared.

Never pack anything you aren’t willing to lose. This means you ipod, jewelry, radio, expensive sunglasses, or anything that might be of remote value to you. Notice I didn’t mention cell phone. Your cell phone should be kept in a secure location like a bag pocket or perhaps the glove compartment of your car. Your cell phone should be handled very little while on the beach and be able to be located at any given moment. In case of an emergency, you want to be able to contact someone. Besides, if you are on the beach chances are you won’t be rocking out to the Black eye’d peas and instead will be pre-occupied by beach activities.

Heading Out!

So you have found that perfect beach and got yourself all packed up. Good for you! Now lets consider a few things when you get to the beach.

You want to head out early early early. Depending on what beach you go to, parking lot spaces fill up abnormally fast. If you happen to go later than usual expect long, slow drives (usually in circles) waiting for that one space to open up. This can be avoided one of three ways: Going early (preferred), going to a less well known beach, or going during the weekdays. Since going to the beach Monday through Thursday is harder, and finding a good and relatively obscure beach is difficult, just head out a little earlier. If you really want to go to the beach chances are you aren’t going to be upset getting up a tad early.

Get something to eat. Whether or not you will be breaking a sweat, it is a good idea to chow down on something healthy and light before leaving. This could be a small bowl of serial or maybe an energy bar. This way, you have something in your stomach that can fortify you and you don’t have to be tempted by the delicious, diet-destroying foods you might be tempted to indulge yourself in.

Get directions and print out a paper copy before hand. I suggest google maps. This eliminates the chance of getting lost and avoiding embarrassment or frustration if you are in front of friends, family, or peers.

BEACH BEACH BEACH!

Yay! you made it to the beach. Careful now, even here you have to think about what you are doing.

If you came with children be sure to keep an eye on them. The water is a dangerous hazard and you should supervise those younger than yourself as they go about their play. Don’t let children get into the sun without a modest amount of sun-screen. They may hate it, but it’s for their own good.

Always keep an eye on your stuff. It’s not always possible to bring another person along to help keep an eye on your property so be diligent and wary of deviants. In the water, keeping an eye on your stuff has the added bonus of preventing against drifting.

Be extremely careful while in the water. Lifeguards are not always there to protect you so you need to take an active role in your own and everyone else’s safety. If you are caught in a rip-tide never swim toward the shore, instead swim parrallel to the beach until you are out of the hazardous area. This detail cannot be overstated yet most people, when caught in that dangerous situation, do what is natural and swim toward the shore.

Lastly, have fun. Do things you enjoy and enjoy them! This is self explanatory

Time to go Home

So you have successfully survived the beach. Good Job! Now it is time to pack up.

Consider leaving a bit earlier or later than what is typical. You will find driving out a little easier since there will be less traffic.

Also remember what you brought and actively check off a mental list as you pack your things up. An easy trick I use is as I walk down, I remember how I carried all the items and mimic that as I return to the car. This way, if I went down with something in my hand and no longer have anything to put in my hand I’ll know something is missing (I use a similar method in packing the car).

Hopefully this article was of some use to you!

Happy Beach trip!