High tide: 9:46AM
Low tide: 3:59PM
Ocean temp: 76°
Sunrise: 6:31AM
Sunset: 7:25PM
UV Index: 8
Rip Current: Low risk
Corona Virus Cases in NJ: 194,756
Corona Virus Deaths in NJ: 15,971
Corona Virus Cases in CMC: 920
Corona Virus Deaths in CMC: 95
Last of the Friday Beach Tips and Beach Etiquette...
~Think "mask". When walking the streets and beach paths, it can be very close quarters in some areas and it's necessary to wear a mask. I've noticed when it comes to traversing to and from the beach, rarely are masks worn.
~Give that 6' of space when deciding on that perfect beach campsite. That means 6' completely surrounding "your site", not just on one side of 6' with 3' on all the other sides.
~Suggestions for the beach... bottle of water, I pack a small spray bottle of water for you never know what, a hat, footwear, sunblock, a towel, insect repellent, first aid kit, shade (umbrella or sand chair w/canopy), phone, something to read, binoculars are fun, something to eat and drink, a small trash bag to collect any trash you may have.
~Phone Use... more often than not (I'm not sure why) beach folk actually get up from their encampment to talk on the phone. I've seen them encroach and linger at others campsites while talking loudly on their phones. I still don't understand why this phenomenon happens. I'm assuming they don't want their immediate party to be disturbed by their conversation on the phone. Guess what? No one wants to hear your call... take it somewhere else!
~Let's talk "music"... no one wants to hear your music. Many self-proclaimed disc jockeys come to the beach thinking we all want to hear their playlists. Not true. Pack headphones or at least keep the volume down on your music so that just you and your party can enjoy it.
~Winds... learn the wind direction and wind speed if possible. I always post it on my blog. When traversing the beach (hopefully with footwear) be aware of the winds as you walk. If you have sandals and/or flip flops on, rest assured they are producing sand that is blowing right behind you and onto the folks you're walking by. When planting your umbrella, you may have to take extra steps to secure it on a windy day... use a sand (screw) grabber and/or bungee cord. It's pretty amazing how insecure some umbrellas can be as the wind lifts and launches them directly to unknowing folks never expecting to be impaled. Also, shaking towels, blankets etc. away from anyone sitting or laying right near you as your shaken sand may blow directly onto someone's face or sandwich. Oh... "West" winds always seem to bring the green head biting flies. If your planned beach day mentions "west winds" prepare with some insect repellent and know that West winds bring the warm, land breeze and make for not quite as refreshing day as you would imagine.
~Note the times of the Tides if heading to the beach so you know where to place that chair and umbrella. You can always check with the lifeguard once there. If the tide is at its highest when you arrive, you can plant your spot right at the waters edge as the tide will only retreat the entire day leaving a nice large beach before as the tide diminishes. After 6 hours, the tide will begin to turn in the other direction.
~Beaches are "No Smoking" or "Designated Smoking Areas" but you can no longer sit at your campsite and smoke.
~No dogs on the beach from May until October. The Wildwoods have a couple terrific dog parks. 2400 block of the beach and 3000 block of the beach.
~Trash... there are trash and recycle containers everywhere. Never leave trash on the beach. Better yet... pick up any that you see whether it's yours or not.
~Children... teach your children beach etiquette. Most important... teach them awareness of where your campsite is... mark it with a flag if need be or sit near a flag familiar to them so they can find you when distracted or absorbed in play (the beach especially at the water's edge does get crowded and intense at times), if lost... explain that they should always go to a lifeguard for help. Throwing sand, kicking up sand and running near others, feeding seagulls is a no-no, and all the other normal "pointers for children" should be explained.
~Seagulls... aka: beach vultures have been known to create a bit of havoc on a lovely beach day. Feeding gulls is a big no-no. Eat and snack smartly. Using hands to express oneself while holding your sandwich for a swooping seagull is something you see at least once every beach visit. Eat under an umbrella or canopy sand-chair as these birds know our eating habits and are just waiting to grab what they can. They will effortlessly pluck your lunch right out of your animated hand. However, most of the time they'll drop it since it's a kaiser roll and a bit heavy. Within seconds, every seagull within a 6 block radius will be right at your blanket fighting for dibs at your lunch. And, seagulls know chip bags so if you're in the water and didn't quite bury your chip bag down into your beach bag, they'll walk onto your blanket and pluck that chip bag right off the top of your beach bag to share with all their seagull buddies. I've seen it many times.
~Playing ball, Frisbee, horseshoes, corn hole, spike-ball, kite-flying etc. is best done at the back of the beach (dune side) or other designated areas for active beach games and is not appropriate right next to people trying to enjoy their day at the beach.
~Always observe and follow beach postings..."closed", "strong rip currents", "surfing only", "no dogs" etc.
~Courtesy is key. Be kind to one another. Oh... and keep the profanity at home. Let's all be happy while enjoying that lovely beach of ours.
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