Summer is here, so it’s time to hit the beach. Beach trips are different depending on where you live. For people who live in sunny countries they might be regular, part of your summer timetable. You can plan whole days there, with little fear of it being ruined by the weather. It’s easy to invest time and money in your beach set-up.
People who live in countries with bad weather might go just as much, but the trips are less planned– you just have to be on standby the whole summer. You can plan a full day at times, thanks to the magic of weather forecasting, but sometimes you only get a window of a few hours, so you need to be ready to grab your things and head down at a moment’s notice.
The Evolution of Beach Days
A day on the beach changes as you grow older, similar to a lot of trips. When you’re young, you’re carefree, and you travel light. I’ve run down to the beach wearing my trunks, and carrying nothing but my keys. Take a towel, a bottle of water and a bag of crisps, and you have everything you need for a full day out.
The older we get though, the more stuff we want. The sun cream, the games, enough food and drinks that you don’t have to move all day. There’s almost a sense of pride at having brought everything you need, and being all the more comfortable for it. So what do we need to take with us? Here is our checklist for a lovely day on the beach.
Checklist: What to Take to the Beach
First, the basics– which you’ve probably already thought of:
- Swimsuits
- Beach towels
- Sun Cream
- Water
- Sunglasses
Now it’s time for the things you might not think about, but which help you take your beach game up a level.
A Beach Bag
Seems obvious– everyone needs a bag to take their stuff in. But a beach bag is more than just a bag you have on the beach. What you need is a dedicated beach bag, with as much of your kit in as possible. This massively cuts down on the hassle of beach trips.
They’re extra important for those impromptu beach raids that we do in countries with bad weather. If you’ve only got two hours of sunshine, and you have kids, you ain’t making it to the beach unless you already have the bag ready.
A Cooler Bag
I actively rejected this one when I was younger. It felt like old people planning too far in advance, afraid to just go with the flow. Let’s face it though, they’re excellent. Even if you’re only bringing water with you, it’s nice if it’s cold. Add some soft drinks, or a few beers, and it’s a real must-have. They also help keep your food fresh.
What changed my opinion on the cooler bag was the cooler backpack. Sure, a massive box is great when you have a car and lots of people, but isn’t ideal if just a couple of you are cycling there. Cooler backpacks come in various sizes and can be super cheap, making them a very worthwhile addition to your beach checklist.
Proper Food
Nothing sums up the evolution of beach supplies like the food you take with you. As a teenager you take some crisps or other snacks. That’s fine, but sooner or later you get too hungry for mere snacks, so you have to leave the beach, and/or spend a fortune on more food. Then you upgrade to taking sandwiches from home– a crucial money saver, but not yet luxury.
For the advanced level, you want to take food that constitutes a genuine lunch, something that’ll keep you going all the way through to dinner. Anything that’s good at room temperature (or a little warmer) works. Some personal recommendations for budget meals that work well on the beach are a nice pasta salad, or a pizza you’ve cooked before and let cool down.
Upgrades
Once you’ve decided to not just be at the beach, but to get comfy for the day, you can start to think about how to deck out your beach area a little better. The sunshade is a good one– even if it’s not too hot it’s nice to have a bit of shade, you can leave your drinks and food there too. If it’s really hot where you are and you’ve got kids, it’s essential, and you might want to upgrade to the little pop-up tent.
Bring a speaker, to help add to the atmosphere with some summery music. If you’ve got musicians in your group, you can go one step further and bring a guitar. Some beach games help you turn a day of sitting down into something much more fun. Bring a barbeque if your beach allows it, and soon your beach zone will be the envy of everyone else.
Beach Chairs
Now we’re talking. This is the ultimate beach comfort kit. It’s another one that smacks of old people, which might put us off at first. You need to be going by car, and it’s true that a big throw is enough to make a fine seating area. I’m pushing 40 now though, so I have no problem with the stereotypes, and I’ve caved in to the chairs. What an absolute game-changer.
For one thing, they’re way more comfortable. It’s not until you sit on a chair that you realize just how uncomfortable the beach is. Even when it’s sandy, you’re never as comfortable as you think you are. Reason number two is one you might not think of, but it’s why you’ll never go back. They keep you above the sand, and stop it getting everywhere. It’s still under your feet, which is where you want it, but it’s not on your hands, or in your beer, or your sandwich.
The Perfect Day
It might seem like a lot of organization, but don’t worry, it’s only for the first few trips, soon you’ll get into the routine. Once you have your beach gear sorted, most of it can stay in your beach bag, or the trunk of your car, so it’s ready for the next one. If you go more than a couple of times a year, it’s worth it. Decide on exactly what you need to make your day out perfect, and make the most of the sunshine whenever you can.
We hope you found our checklist useful. At Wordans you can get beach bags, accessories, and apparel, so take a look at our website to find whatever you need for the beach, plus a whole lot more. Our Instagram @wearewordans has even more ideas for you, if you’d like to take a look.
