The holiday fun has officially begun now that thousands of Southern Californians are flocking to beaches up and down the coastline.
The holiday fun has officially begun now that thousands of Southern Californians are flocking to beaches up and down the coastline. (Flickr: Jess & Peter Gardner)
But before you whip out that boogie board, ocean-lovers may want to give some thought to using proper beach etiquette — yes, there is such a thing — to ensure a day of fun in the sun for everyone.
Consider this:
–Hold up there, stud! Be careful that that football or Frisbee you and your friends are tossing around lands far, far away from others taking part in the day.
–Keep it clean. No matter how inconvenient, don’t bury dirty diapers — or worse, hot embers — in the sand that some unsuspecting innocent will walk upon.
–Be aware of which way the wind is blowing. Beachy breezes have a way of bringing sand, noise, smoke and other unpleasantries to your neighbor.
–Avoid feeding the resident sea creatures. Chances are your beach buddies do not want a flock of seagulls hovering around their food.
–When in doubt, move on. If you have an inkling that someone else has claimed a spot, assume that something better down the stretch awaits you.
–Keep those umbrellas properly secured. On a particularly windy day, no one wants a giant pinwheel rolling into camp and poking out an eye.
–Watch it, boogie-boarders. Yes, you’re having fun, but be careful not to wipe out the swimmers that surround you.
–Be easy when you shake that thing. Shaken blankets and towels and even flip-flops have a way of sending a mouthful of sand to your neighbor if you’re not careful.
–Save it for later. Sure, it’s normal to feel a little romantic at the beach. But, your neighbors don’t want to see it, hear it or know anything about it.
–Finally, no matter what “sights” you see at the beach, resist the urge to take a snapshot or video. It’s the ultimate invasion of privacy.
Kerri S. Mabee can be reached at kerri.mabee@swrnn.com. Follow me on Twitter @kerrimabee.
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