Coleman Canada

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Beach Tips & Advice

Reaching nirvana on that lounge chair requires proper technique, equipment and advance planning. Whether you’re vacationing on a distant, exotic island or stealing a few hours on the water near home, these tips will help maximize your beach time.
1	Pick the proper destination. Beach towns offer a variety of amenities. And challenges. Don’t set yourself up for unpleasant surprises: Learn as much as you can about a destination before your trip. In addition to weather, consider: the availability and price of food in grocery stores and restaurants; the range of accommodation options, their proximity to the beach and their clientele; rainy-day entertainment options; evening activities; traffic and roads; the type of crowd attracted to each beach; insects; and local liquor laws.
2	Pick the proper beach. The beach can change personality from block to block. While it is difficult to get the "real story" from advertising and tourist promotional agencies, find out as much as you can about how one section of beach differs from another. Is the "beach crowd" young or old? Families or singles? Are beach front properties hotels, condos or single-family homes? Are there private resorts restricted to guests only? Some beaches attract surfers, volleyball tournaments or other sporting activities: What will that mean to your beach experience? Are there rules against using rafts or body boards?
3	Bring the right stuff. Packing is key. Don’t get to the beach and realize you need to leave to go buy suntan lotion - you could end up killing the day waiting in line at the store. Consider your parking situation and how you’ll get everything you need to the beach - with beach chairs, blankets and a beach bag full of fun stuff, you may need a cooler with wheels or a wagon to help transport beachside necessities. Check out our checklists.
4	Remember: The beach is sand. Someone once said, "I’d love the beach if it weren’t for all this sand." Don’t let the sand bring you down. While no beach vacation can be sand-free, there are precautions that can help the sand-sensitive enjoy the beach while minimizing their "sand exposure." Large blankets will keep feet from dangling into the sand. In addition to its cooling effect, a spray bottle of water can be used to clean sand from the skin. The ultra-sand-sensitive might consider a cot that would enable them to lie in the sunshine while keeping off the sand. "Water socks" or rubber sandals will keep feet off the sand in the surf or on the beach.

Check back here now and again. We’ll be adding tips from time to time.