Study Law at the Beach
Ahh, the beach in summertime. When you're young, a towel, some sunscreen, a book at the most, and you're off, to lie in the sun with your friends. Someone might take a soccer ball. Someone else a couple of paddles and a ball. If it's windy, perhaps a windbreaker to set up on the sand and sit out of the wind. That's it. When you're still young but have that special relationship with that special person, you might spend the night together on the beach. When you're older and have children, the equipment grows. A small folding table, folding chairs, a pack of sandwiches and some water bottles. Toys of all kinds, small bodyboards for children, floating devices. But before you head for the beach, check out the prohibitions.
There is one good thing on Spanish beaches; they're all public and free. Even if the private property of a millionnaire reaches to the shoreline, the beach is public. No small jewel of a sandy spot is off limits to anyone, even though you might have to climb down a cliff to reach some of them. But, that doesn't mean there aren't any forbidden behaviors according to the township you're in.
In various towns, especially on the Mediterranean, it is forbidden to set up the umbrella in the morning and leave it there all day until you decide to sit under it in the afternoon. For the past few years, with the beaches becoming wall-to-wall by two in the afternoon, some astute people have taken to the habit of sticking their umbrella in the sand at the spot they will go in the afternoon, and thereby reserving that piece of beach. Now, it's forbidden. The police will remove the umbrellas that they see without human activity, and then you pay the fine when you go to retrieve it. And now there are even some towns where it's forbidden to take your own umbrella or hammock, or windbreakers. Rather, you rent them from the agency set up by the town.
If you're young and in that special relationship, get a hotel room. You cannot sleep on most beaches all during summer. It is also against the law to practice nudism outside a nudist beach, and in a township in Catalunya, it is also illegal to practice sex on the beach. Apparently, on the beaches of this town it was becoming common to see couples scattered all over the place at night and during the day, indulging themselves in this sport. It offended someone's sensibilities, it seems. And, yes, there are patrols in place to catch the offenders in flagranti.
Don't take the pooch to the beach. There are some, very few, that have areas cordoned off for those who cannot be separated from their best friends. But most have forbidden their presence. On some beaches, however, you can walk your dog, but only during certain hours, and mostly off-season. While you're at it, forget about getting together with friends after sunset and having a clambake. Fire is only allowed on Saint John's Eve on certain beaches, and you won't be alone. That is the one night the beaches are plagued with bonfires and drunks. Because drinking alcohol on the beach is also against the law in most places.
And when you take the kids, check out if balls, paddles, body boards, inflatable boats, and other similar things are allowed. Having been the victim of a sandy ball on a crowded beach, I can understand this prohibition. But something more innocent, such as a radio or CD player can also be frowned upon. In La Albufera, Valencia, there is no music to be had on its beaches, much less parties. That's because of the wildlife in the national park the beaches are in. And if the urban life, sometimes wild enough, is disturbed on other beaches by your Despacito, the police also reserves the right to leave you musicless.
And, though some might be sorely tempted, it's also against the law to relieve yourself on the beach or in the water. How they plan to enforce that law, I don't know. Don't think you're getting out of a shower at home by taking one at the beach, either. The showerheads are strictly to be used without any beautifying gels, shampoos, or creams. I have seen this law being smashed and broken every year at the beach I go to.
So, enjoy the beach in Spain this summer. Just be sure to check the local lawbooks before you find yourself paying up for something you thought to be so very innocent.
There is one good thing on Spanish beaches; they're all public and free. Even if the private property of a millionnaire reaches to the shoreline, the beach is public. No small jewel of a sandy spot is off limits to anyone, even though you might have to climb down a cliff to reach some of them. But, that doesn't mean there aren't any forbidden behaviors according to the township you're in.
In various towns, especially on the Mediterranean, it is forbidden to set up the umbrella in the morning and leave it there all day until you decide to sit under it in the afternoon. For the past few years, with the beaches becoming wall-to-wall by two in the afternoon, some astute people have taken to the habit of sticking their umbrella in the sand at the spot they will go in the afternoon, and thereby reserving that piece of beach. Now, it's forbidden. The police will remove the umbrellas that they see without human activity, and then you pay the fine when you go to retrieve it. And now there are even some towns where it's forbidden to take your own umbrella or hammock, or windbreakers. Rather, you rent them from the agency set up by the town.
If you're young and in that special relationship, get a hotel room. You cannot sleep on most beaches all during summer. It is also against the law to practice nudism outside a nudist beach, and in a township in Catalunya, it is also illegal to practice sex on the beach. Apparently, on the beaches of this town it was becoming common to see couples scattered all over the place at night and during the day, indulging themselves in this sport. It offended someone's sensibilities, it seems. And, yes, there are patrols in place to catch the offenders in flagranti.
Don't take the pooch to the beach. There are some, very few, that have areas cordoned off for those who cannot be separated from their best friends. But most have forbidden their presence. On some beaches, however, you can walk your dog, but only during certain hours, and mostly off-season. While you're at it, forget about getting together with friends after sunset and having a clambake. Fire is only allowed on Saint John's Eve on certain beaches, and you won't be alone. That is the one night the beaches are plagued with bonfires and drunks. Because drinking alcohol on the beach is also against the law in most places.
And when you take the kids, check out if balls, paddles, body boards, inflatable boats, and other similar things are allowed. Having been the victim of a sandy ball on a crowded beach, I can understand this prohibition. But something more innocent, such as a radio or CD player can also be frowned upon. In La Albufera, Valencia, there is no music to be had on its beaches, much less parties. That's because of the wildlife in the national park the beaches are in. And if the urban life, sometimes wild enough, is disturbed on other beaches by your Despacito, the police also reserves the right to leave you musicless.
And, though some might be sorely tempted, it's also against the law to relieve yourself on the beach or in the water. How they plan to enforce that law, I don't know. Don't think you're getting out of a shower at home by taking one at the beach, either. The showerheads are strictly to be used without any beautifying gels, shampoos, or creams. I have seen this law being smashed and broken every year at the beach I go to.
So, enjoy the beach in Spain this summer. Just be sure to check the local lawbooks before you find yourself paying up for something you thought to be so very innocent.
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