As the summer season draws to a close, I have compiled my observations into a formal assessment. Consider this report card for the collective beachgoing public of Jetties Beach, Summer 2024. Grades are based on my personal observations across 47 documented visits.
Umbrella Spacing: B-
An improvement over last year's C+, though concerns remain. The 8-foot rule was observed approximately 65% of the time. This is progress. However, holiday weekends saw significant regression, with some setups as close as 2.5 feet apart. (Yes, I measured.)
Areas for improvement: July 4th weekend spacing. Early-morning claim-staking behavior. The persistent myth that "early arrival justifies territorial expansion."
Notable success: Mid-week visitors generally showed excellent spacing awareness. The 9 AM Tuesday crowd understands personal boundaries.
Music Volume: C+
Barely passing. I documented 23 volume violations across the season, defined as music audible beyond a 15-foot radius. Average volume on peak weekends exceeded acceptable levels by approximately 20 decibels.
Areas for improvement: Bluetooth speaker culture in general. Understanding that "it's a party" is not a defense. Recognition that headphones exist.
Notable success: The family in the yellow umbrella (you know who you are) who played acoustic guitar at an appropriate volume on August 3rd. This is how it's done. A+ for them specifically.
Towel Shaking: C
Disappointing. Towel shaking TOWARD neighbors rather than toward open sand occurred at an alarming rate. I personally received sand transfer from improperly shaken towels on 14 occasions. My sunscreen was compromised twice.
Areas for improvement: Directional awareness. Basic wind reading. The concept that sand, once on someone else's belongings, cannot be unshaken.
Notable success: Rare instances of beachgoers walking their towels to the waterline before shaking. These individuals restored my faith in humanity temporarily.
Trash Disposal: A-
The highest mark of the season, and genuinely earned. The vast majority of beachgoers packed out what they packed in. Visible litter was minimal. The provided receptacles were used appropriately.
Areas for improvement: Cigarette butts (still appearing despite signage). Bottle caps. The occasional abandoned beach chair that seems to have been forgotten rather than deliberately left.
Notable success: Several beachgoers observed collecting trash that wasn't theirs. Community spirit lives.
Children Supervision: B
Children are joyful. Children are also chaotic. This grade reflects the balance between allowing childhood beach freedom and maintaining awareness of how that freedom affects others.
Areas for improvement: Sand throwing near other setups. Ball retrieval that requires crossing through occupied territories. The assumption that "they're just kids" excuses all behavior.
Notable success: Parents who proactively apologized when their children encroached. This small courtesy means more than you know.
Departure Cleanliness: B+
Related to trash disposal, but distinct. This grade covers whether beachgoers leave their area as they found it.
Areas for improvement: Holes dug for sandcastles should be filled. Holes dug for umbrellas should be filled. All holes, really, should be filled. Unfilled holes are ankle hazards.
Notable success: The general trend toward "leave no trace" mentality. The beach at 6 PM looked remarkably similar to the beach at 6 AM on most days.
Seaweed Incidents: Concerning
I cannot give this a letter grade because I do not have adequate evidence to assess the full scope of the problem. What I can say is that seaweed relocation appears to be increasing. I documented six definite instances and suspect at least a dozen more.
I have written about this elsewhere. You know how I feel. Do better.
Overall Beach Etiquette: B-
A passing grade. Not a strong one. Room for significant improvement.
The average Jetties Beach visitor in 2024 was well-intentioned, reasonably considerate, and occasionally thoughtless. This is an improvement over "occasionally hostile," which was my assessment in 2022. We are trending in the right direction.
Recommendations for 2025
- Review the 8-foot rule before arriving
- Invest in headphones
- Shake towels toward the ocean, not toward neighbors
- Continue excellent trash habits
- Fill your holes
- Leave the seaweed where you found it
Final Notes
I know some of you think I'm too critical. Perhaps I am. But consider: if everyone simply followed basic etiquette, we wouldn't need critics. We wouldn't need guidelines. We wouldn't need someone to document violations and compile report cards.
Until that utopia arrives, I'll be here. Watching. Documenting. Hoping for an A.
See you next season.
Have a Response?
Think your beach etiquette deserves a higher grade? Have evidence that should be included in next year's report? Sandy reads every email (and takes notes).
Write to sandy@ackguide.com