Beach days are awesome—there’s sun, sand, and plenty of activities to enjoy. However, without the proper preparation, your great beach day can easily turn into a sunburnt mess. There are plenty of simple ways to avoid this though. Below are four key tips to help you have the best day possible.
Do Your Research About the Location
There’s nothing worse than looking forward to a day at the beach only to spend half an hour looking for a parking spot, to finally get down to the park, only to find most of the better locations taken, leaving you and your family to endure the least comfortable spots. Plan ahead and try and get to the beach earlier in the day to avoid the crowds. Also look into parking options in the area as well for the best place to keep your car in the shade. It’s also a great idea to check if the beach is pet-friendly, if there are washrooms or change rooms on-site, and how noisy the beach typically is if you’re planning on relaxing with quieter activities.
Bring the Best Gear
The worst part of any trip is getting to your destination only to realize you forgot ‘x’ thing at home. Before you head out to the beach, ask yourself ‘do you have everything?’ Some of the key items to remember are beach towels or blankets to sit on, comfortable chairs for sunbathing or reading a book, and a big bottle of sunscreen.
Speaking of sunscreen, apply it liberally and often, most sunscreen only protects for eighty minutes—much less if you go in the water. Also keep in mind all the things to bring for kids like shovels, buckets, floaties, and the proper clothing so they can stay cool and protected from the sun.
Check If You Can Actually Bring What You’re Hoping To
Most beaches have regulations regarding what you can and can’t bring, so look into that before you spend all the time and effort packing it and bringing it all with you. There may be restrictions on things like sea-doos, barbeques and grills, and interacting with water-life. If you’re unsure, contact a city representative or check the West Kelowna website.
Be Prepared When Things Go Awry
In the event something goes wrong, it’s always better to be ready. Because beaches are rarely full of 100% fine sand, cuts or scrapes from rocks or branches may happen, so bring a few band-aids, especially if you have kids. Even if you bring sun-screen, sunburns can’t always be avoided, so bring an aloe-infused lotion to soothe burns. Insect bites are also common; treat them by adding some After Bite for mosquito or bug bites, or, for allergic reactions, some antihistamines like Benadryl.
Beach days can be an awesome experience when things go well. Following our tips, you should be well-prepared to have the most fun in the sun!
