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CNN
09-05-2025
- Climate
- CNN
The best beach umbrellas in 2025, tried and tested
The best beach umbrellas we tested Best beach umbrella: BeachBUB All-in-One Beach Umbrella System Best beach umbrella under $100: Sport-Brella Premiere UPF 50+ Umbrella Best beach shade umbrella: Shibumi Shade Mini Beach Shade The best beach umbrellas are like great mattresses or high-performance running shoes: Skimp on quality and you'll have a bad time (or worse, you'll end up hurt). Maybe that sounds far-fetched, but we're speaking from experience here. After testing nine popular beach umbrellas at a windy beach in Los Angeles, California, our crew of product review experts found that most umbrellas won't stay anchored in the worst conditions. Not only is that a safety hazard (flying beach umbrellas have killed people) but it's also a drag if your canopy collapses on your oceanside picnic. Fortunately, the following three beach umbrellas stood out across portability, durability, stability and UV protection tests, providing plenty of sun protection without blowing away. As pricey as they are, we think they're a worthy investment. BeachBUB All-in-One Beach Umbrella System This umbrella delivers on its promise to provide an all-in-one system for the beach, including thoughtful extras that make it one of the safest wind-resistant models we tested. Consider its durable build, backed by superb guarantees, and you can see why BeachBUB is an umbrella you'll be taking to the beach for years. Sport-Brella Premiere 9-Inch XL Umbrella This tent-slash-umbrella hybrid provides plenty of coverage and stability for folks who want a fairly easy setup at an affordable price. Shibumi Shade Mini The Shibumi Shade is made for windy beach days. It's designed to flow in the wind, creating a large surface area of shade. It also operates on less breezy days with included wind assists to anchor the fabric into the sand. While it resembles a beach tent, it weighs 2 pounds and stores compactly in a small pouch you can throw in any tote. When you buy a BeachBUB, you don't just get a sturdy umbrella with a protective 7.5-foot canopy. You get a wind-resistant 'system' including a sandbag tarp, sand gopher and shovel, all backed by a strong warranty. Some of these extras might sound wacky (what the heck is a sand gopher?), but they ensure the BeachBUB remains safe, upright and well worth the upfront cost. Its standout performance became clear during assembly, which begins with the sand gopher, a surprisingly functional metal pipe you use to burrow into the sand. Next, you line the tarp up with the hole and plant the umbrella. A lot of manufacturers have you stop here. But the BeachBUB's genius is its tarp, which you fill with 50 scoops of sand to anchor the umbrella. Though the setup is involved, it's worth the time and effort, as the BeachBUB was one of the only umbrellas we couldn't pull free from the sand. That's no surprise given BeachBUB complies with ASTM's voluntary wind safety standard, requiring beach umbrellas to remain secure in winds up to 30 mph. BeachBUB also earned the American Lifeguard Association's stamp of approval, thanks to its wind-resistant system. Untethered umbrellas have killed and maimed beachgoers, so sturdiness is crucial and not a nice-to-have bonus. This reliability translated into our wind-resistance test, where we ran full speed across the beach with the open umbrella. Whereas the cheap umbrella from Ammsun flipped inside out, BeachBUB's reinforced canopy didn't budge. The brand tops off its excellent build with a few unbeatable guarantees. Under its three-year protection plan, included with every purchase, BeachBUB covers 'all damage and loss' to its umbrellas. Add on BeachBUB's lifetime sandbag base warranty, 10-year frame guarantee and an assortment of replacement parts, and you've got a buy-it-for-life product. Considering all these extras, plus the umbrella's large, protective UPF 50+ canopy, BeachBUB emerges as a winner. Our only complaint is the umbrella's wallet-crushing price. But when you consider the costs of a flimsy umbrella that breaks or injures a passerby, it's clear BeachBUB's safety features, first-rate build and superior performance merit the price. A tent-beach umbrella hybrid is the perfect solution for those who don't have enough upper body strength or the height advantage to bury a traditional beach umbrella deep enough to secure it in the sand. And the Sport-Brella Premiere 9-Inch XL Umbrella proved it during testing. That isn't to say you can't set up the BeachBUB All-in-One Beach Umbrella System or the Shibumi Shade, our two other winners, if you don't have some serious muscle. However, the Sport-Brella felt the most effortless to assemble once we got used to the process. There's some light, angled anchoring of the pole, but since it relies on stakes and tie-down cords to keep it in place, you don't have to dig as deep, unless it's an especially windy day. It's also comparable to the BeachBUB in build quality and survived our wind test without the ribs bending or the canopy flipping, despite how big it is. It also passed our rust test with flying colors. Its ease of use and sturdy build aren't the only reasons this made our top three, though. Despite keeping things lower to the ground than a traditional beach umbrella, it provides a lot of shade and coverage, plus enough space for at least two people to sit comfortably and still bask in all that sea breeze and view. Combine that with its UPF 50+ protection, and you won't find yourself flirting with sunburn or skin cancer with this over your head. Don't let its tentlike design put you off either. We found it easy to flit in and out of it without issue, even though its canopy's ground clearance is technically lower than the others. Yes, you do have to duck, but you don't have to crawl to sit in its shade. It's also a more affordable option, especially next to our other two picks. You may have to work a little more to secure it to the ground if you're dealing with soft sand or very windy conditions, and it only has a one-year limited warranty; however, its sub-$100 price tag makes it more appealing to budget-minded folks who don't want to pay the BeachBUB's almost-$200 price tag. What makes it an even better value are its features. Its pole uses a tilt mechanism for targeted shade protection, while its massive canopy has zippered windows, side panels and two internal pockets. If you want the most stable beach umbrella on the market, the BeachBUB is a no-brainer, But if money is a little tight, then the Sport-Brella Premiere 9-Inch XL Umbrella is the next best thing. The Shibumi Shade Mini is not the beach umbrella we expected, but its convenience and durability surprised our team throughout testing. The price is high, but the Shibumi works with the elements of the beach instead of against them. For something so compact, it also creates the largest surface area of shade we tested, making it our winning pick for best beach shade umbrella. The Shibumi Shade doesn't look like your typical beach umbrella because, technically, it isn't one. Instead, it resembles an open, half-built tent. To set it up, you assemble a single pole, string it through the shade fabric and buckle it into place. You then stick both sides of the pole into the sand to create an arch. Since the ends of the tent pole are smaller, it's like poking a needle into the sand. Once the arch is secured, the fabric of the Shibumi moves in the wind, providing a rectangular surface area of shade. What makes the Shibumi particularly convenient (besides the fact that it only weighs 2 pounds) is that it works with the wind. Gusts of wind thwarted other umbrellas in our testing pool — a few were even blown away on the windy shores of Los Angeles' Hermosa Beach. The fabric of the Shibumi, however, is designed to flow in the wind like a flag. Any particular harsh drafts blow through the arch and support the overall structure. While we had two testers enjoying the coverage of the mini size, four people could fit comfortably. Along with providing an abundance of shade, the Shubumi's fabric provides UPF 50+ sun protection. Of all the beach umbrellas we lugged to and from the sand, the Shibumi is also the most portable. The assembly is reminiscent of building a tent and all the required elements pack into a tiny bag that swings over your shoulder. We understand that although we tested it on a particularly windy day, not every beach trip will have a strong breeze. The Shibumi anticipates this by including wind assists, or sandbags you can attach to the corners of the canopy. They act like an anchor and give the fabric structure so the canopy can still provide shade, even without wind. Our team was fascinated by how this umbrella works. We were less pleased with the $208 price of the mini size and the $288 price of the classic (meant to fit eight people). We don't recommend products at a higher price point lightly, though, and when we do it, we strongly consider our testing and its overall value. Put plainly, there is nothing like the Shibumi in our testing pool. The shade it provides is massive, but its convenience made our team continue to reference it throughout our evaluation. It does come with a limited lifetime warranty, but we understand that the higher price point is a deterrent. But if you can invest in a beach umbrella, the Shubumi will make your life at the beach easier and give you lots of space to enjoy the shade. You can't properly test beach umbrellas in an office, so we braved LA traffic and hauled our umbrellas to Hermosa Beach. From there, we carried them across the sand, set them up alongside an oceanside picnic and collapsed them at the end of the day. We also threw in a few rigorous safety and durability tests, ensuring the umbrellas could withstand wet, windy days at the beach without becoming projectiles. Performance Stability: An umbrella that can't stay upright is like a bike with no handlebars: It's an accident waiting to happen. According to a study published in the Journal of Safety Research, there were thousands of beach umbrella injuries between 2000 and 2019, some of which were fatal. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) published a warning about these dangers, advising beachgoers to look for umbrellas that comply with the ASTM's standards for wind safety (more on that below). Naturally, we took stability testing seriously, attempting to uproot each umbrella and noting any precariousness after setup. Models also earned points for anchors and wind resistance, which we tested by running across the beach with each umbrella's canopy open. UV Protection: A beach umbrella's job is to shield you from harmful UV rays. To test models for sun protection, we noted canopy size, shade provided and the ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) rating. The Skin Cancer Foundation considers any fabric with a UPF of 50 or more 'excellent,' as this blocks at least 98% of the sun's rays. Design Setup and breakdown: No one wants to spend an eternity assembling an umbrella in the hot sun, so we assessed each model's setup and breakdown process. Umbrellas with simple, easy-to-follow instructions topped the charts here. Portability: As we learned in our beach wagon tests, it's not easy to schlep heavy items across sand. But we measured portability by doing exactly that. We loaded the umbrellas into our cars and carried them across Hermosa Beach, noting any difficulties or awkwardness and measuring weight and collapsibility. Carrying cases also factored into our ranking, with sturdy, easy-to-carry bags earning top marks. Value Durability: An umbrella that withstands years of abuse offers more bang for your buck, so we simulated years of wear from ocean mist by applying a mixture of vinegar, hydrogen peroxide and salt, accelerating the rusting process. Though all umbrellas survived that test, we can't say the same for our wind-resistance test, where we ran across a windy beach, attempting to invert or break the umbrellas' canopies. Finally, we awarded points to models built with high-quality materials. Warranty: A more expensive umbrella might be worth the upfront cost if it's backed by a robust warranty. We scrutinized each brand's policies to determine which ones have broad, long-term guarantees. Extra features: Extra features like tilt mechanisms, towel hangers and pockets can make your beach day a little more comfortable, so we factored them into our rubric. However, the most meaningful extras were anchors, wind vents and other safety-enhancing additions. Beach umbrella safety Safety, stability and build quality should be your top priority when choosing a beach umbrella for your sea-sand-sun excursions. According to BeachBUB USA president Bill Schermerhorn, who also heads the ASTM's International subcommittee on beach umbrella safety, 'The old standard of using a screw device, getting a pole deep into the sand, tilting it [and] rocking it back and forth [is] not only ineffective, it's dangerous.' Several sources say that the CPSC found as many as 3,000 beach umbrella-related incidents annually. While we couldn't find that official report ourselves, there have been enough accidents to concern Virginia senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine, who wrote a letter to the CPSC urging the agency to 'finalize strong and clear consumer safety guidances' on beach umbrellas. In April 2024, ASTM International's consumer products committee released a new standard specification for beach umbrellas and their anchor devices (ASTM F3681-24) to reduce beach umbrella-related injuries and deaths. According to this new guideline, 'compliant beach umbrella/anchor systems and beach umbrellas used with compliant anchors must provide a resisting force of at least 75 pounds, or must remain secure in wind speeds of up to 30 mph when a compliant anchor is installed in the sand.' Sadly, this is a voluntary safety standard and, at the time of this writing, not many cities enforce it. 'A lot of municipalities, for a number of reasons, are postponing enforcing it or actually publishing it for fear that they're going to scare their visitors away from their beaches,' Schermerhorn said. Due to this, not many beach umbrellas are improving their designs to meet the new standards. As we've learned from testing several umbrellas of varying sizes and anchoring styles, most beach umbrellas on the market still use the old screw system, which makes them severely inefficient when battling heavy winds or withstanding human intervention. Only a handful of beach umbrellas offer effective anchoring systems without forcing you to seek and purchase separate stabilizing solutions, and very few truly meet this new standard. Does this mean that the standard-compliant BeachBUB All-in-One Beach Umbrella System is your only choice? Should that stop you from getting the umbrella you want or one within your budget? Not necessarily. But if you want to avoid maiming or injuring another beachgoer with a runaway umbrella, maybe invest in additional anchoring for safety. Look for the ASTM F3681-24 label to confirm whether or not the beach umbrella or anchoring system you're considering is compliant. UV protection 'The highest UV protection rating you can get for fabrics is 50+,' Schermerhorn said, and all the beach umbrellas in our product pool have a rating of UPF 50+. However, we do not recommend relying on your beach umbrella alone to protect you from the sun. 'Beach umbrellas provide good sun protection but should not be used as the only form of sun protection,' said Dr. Marisa Garshick, a board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology. 'Even with an umbrella, some UV rays are able to pass.' Furthermore, you're also exposed to UV rays from other sources. 'Beach umbrellas do not protect skin from UV rays that reach skin via reflection off surfaces like sand and water,' Dr. Brendan Camp, a double board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology, said, 'and are, thus, not a foolproof way to protect skin from a sunburn.' Garshick highly recommends wearing sunscreen 'even if you're in the shade, as studies have shown the combination of the two works better than either one alone at protecting the skin from the sun.' Both experts also stress the importance of having additional UV protection like UPF clothing, a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses. Tommy Bahama AnchorX Umbrella The Tommy Bahama AnchorX Umbrella is easy to set up and drill into the sand. While there is a lot we liked about this umbrella, there are no notable features or strong performances in our tests to make it a winning pick. While the Tommy Bahama AnchorX Umbrella is bulkier than others in our testing pool, the setup and breakdown are simple. Once assembled, it stands almost 7 feet tall, and the over-6-foot canopy provided shade that kept us cool while testing. The umbrella also sports a solid UPF rating of 50+, wind vents to keep the canopy secure and the ability to tilt the top of the umbrella to create specific shade angles. Despite the ease of setup, keeping it secure in the soft sand was difficult. The bottom attachment of the pole has a drill design you can screw into the sand like a corkscrew. While this worked well for setting up the umbrella, it was easy to uproot from the sand. Overall, it's simple to use and performed well across categories, but it does not have any distinctive features or particularly strong performance that pushed it into a winning spot. Business & Pleasure Co. The Holiday Beach Umbrella The Holiday Beach Umbrella from Business & Pleasure Co. might have iconic beach style, but it's not stable in the sand. The Holiday Beach Umbrella sports the vintage style synonymous with Business & Pleasure Co. with fringe that accents the 5-foot-wide canopy. The umbrella stands 6.5 feet tall, and twisting the side handle can angle it up to 180 degrees. Our setup did not include such an extreme angle, but we did play around with tilting the umbrella to cover our beach chairs during testing. The smaller canopy meant that there was not as much shade created, though, however we angled it. Additionally, balancing the pole in the sand was most effective when standing upright. The Holiday Beach Umbrella is easy to assemble because there is nothing to attach. You simply twist the lever at the hinge to angle the canopy to full height or a desired tilted degree. For an umbrella in the higher end of our testing pool's price range, however, we were disappointed that the Holiday was not stable in the sand throughout our testing. It was difficult to twist into place at the beach and easy to uproot — sadly, not a winning combination. Business & Pleasure Co. The Premium Beach Umbrella Business & Pleasure Co.'s Premium Beach Umbrella might have a 6-foot canopy and UPF protection, but is lacking when it comes to stability. The Premium Beach Umbrella from Business & Pleasure Co. is easy to assemble. It comes packaged in a carrier bag folded at the hinge. Once you tilt it upright and tighten the handle, it stands 7 feet tall. Ease of use aside, the nearly $300 price point puzzled our team. Besides the fringe accent, no other feature makes this umbrella revolutionary, and it underperformed when it came to stability. There are elements of this umbrella that we do appreciate, of course. The Premium Beach Umbrella's materials seem and feel high-quality. We found no evidence of rusting in our test, and the canopy did not invert while we ran in the wind at the beach. While the canopy's UPF rating of 50+ is an important feature, this protection is not a novelty and fairly common among the umbrellas in our testing pool. Additionally, there are no additional features that anchor this umbrella to keep it secure in the sand. It was easy to uproot it, no matter how hard we tried to twist or dig it into place. Business & Pleasure Co. The Mañana Umbrella The Business & Pleasure Co. Mañana Umbrella's 6-foot canopy has a classic, beach-resort style and can tilt to shade from different angles. While it boasts a UPF 50+ protection and is easy to set up, it failed to stay secure in the sand. Out of all the Business & Pleasure Co. umbrellas we tested, The Mañana Umbrella was able to screw into the sand the best; however, it is still one of the least stable umbrellas we brought to the beach. The setup differs from the Holiday and Premium models from the brand: you attach a pole with a drill-like bottom to the upper portion connected to the canopy. The 6.5-foot canopy of the Mañana can tilt like the other models but with the press of a button rather than the twist of a handle. The larger canopy snaps into place with ease, and the pole feels sturdier than the other two Business & Pleasure Co. options we tested. Still, the Mañana failed to stay as secure in the sand as our winning picks, making it fall in our rankings. OutdoorMaster Beach Umbrella With Sand Bag OutdoorMaster's Beach Umbrella includes an attachable sandbag to keep it secure on the shore. While the canopy maintained its structure in the wind, our team struggled to set up the included accessories. The OutdoorMaster Beach Umbrella showed our team that when it comes to beach umbrellas, you get what you pay for. While it performed well in our wind test, has a UPF 50+ rating, and was fairly stable in the sand, parts of the umbrella were difficult to assemble and broke in the process. The OutdoorMaster Beach Umbrella mimics our winning pick in that it utilizes a provided sandbag to anchor the umbrella. It was relatively easy to attach the bag to the pole and fill it with sand. It is important to keep in mind that this umbrella does not include a shovel, so you will have to pack your own. Opening and closing the canopy of the OutdoorMaster Umbrella was also simple, which we appreciated in our testing. While this umbrella did not rust during our rust test, setting up the included drink holder proved that the umbrella is not very durable. Our team struggled to open and close the attachment meant to slide onto the bottom of the pole and hold up to four drinks. Throughout our attempts to close the umbrella, the drink holder was so stiff that it snapped. AmmSun 7-Foot Heavy-Duty High-Wind Beach Umbrella The AmmSun Heavy-Duty High-Wind Beach Umbrella was no match for the wind at Hermosa Beach. The canopy inverted throughout our testing, and the pole was difficult to secure in the sand. While we like that this is an affordable umbrella option, the AmmSun Heavy-Duty High-Wind Umbrella underperformed when it came to durability in the wind. Setting up the umbrella made our team hopeful at first. It stands 7 feet tall and has a canopy diameter of 6.5 feet. The included umbrella pole and sand anchor indicated that this would be a sturdy option that produced great shade. When we conducted our wind test, however, the Ammsun was the only umbrella to invert in the wind. The reality of the sand anchor attaching to the pole also proved to be better in theory than in practice. To properly anchor the heavy umbrella, we had to dig very deep; otherwise, it was quick to uproot. While AmmSun's stability and durability are lacking, this umbrella still includes a UPF rating of 50+ and is lightweight, despite its size. The following FAQs have been answered by Bill Schermerhorn, BeachBUB USA president and committee chair of the ASTM International subcommittee on beach umbrella safety; board-certified dermatologist Dr. Marisa Garshick; and double board-certified dermatologist Dr. Brenden Camp. Are beach umbrellas safe? Are beach umbrellas safe? Sadly, many beach umbrellas have a basic screw-in anchoring system that's proven to be ineffective and has led to several serious injuries and deaths over the years. If you want a beach umbrella that's safe and stable, Schermerhorn recommends getting one with an ASTM F3681-24 compliance mark on its label. How do you properly anchor and set up a beach umbrella? How do you properly anchor and set up a beach umbrella? Anchoring and setting up a beach umbrella depend on its design, and each brand has its own take on those. However, if you want to ensure that your beach umbrella doesn't fall over or fly away and risk hurting someone, set it up to withstand wind speeds of up to 30 mph or offer a resisting force of at least 75 pounds. Do beach umbrellas offer UV protection? Do beach umbrellas offer UV protection? Many beach umbrellas offer some level of UV protection. However, 'Beach umbrellas should not be used alone as the primary form of sunburn avoidance but should complement other forms of sun protection,' Camp said. What are the best beach umbrellas for sun protection? What are the best beach umbrellas for sun protection? 'When searching for a beach umbrella, look for one that offers a large area of shaded protection,' Camp said. 'The ability to tilt and rotate the umbrella is important so that it can be adjusted to account for changes in sun intensity based on the arc of the sun. Look for umbrellas with opaque or reflective materials that limit the penetration of UV rays.' For this article, we consulted the following experts to gain their professional insights on beach umbrellas, including proper usage and the level of protection they provide against UV rays. Bill Schermerhorn, BeachBUB USA president and committee chair of the ASTM International subcommittee on beach umbrella safety Dr. Marisa Garshick, board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology Dr. Brendan Camp, double board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology CNN Underscored editors thoroughly test the products we cover in our testing guides and provide full transparency about how we test them. We have a skilled team of writers and editors with many years of testing experience, and we ensure each article is carefully edited and products are properly vetted. We talk to top experts when relevant to make certain we are testing each product accurately and listing the pros and cons of each item. For this piece, testing writer Michelle Rae Uy, associate testing writer Gareen Puglia and associate writer Maxwell Shukuya headed to the beach with nine beach umbrellas. The three Californians combined their product testing experience covering lifestyle and tech products with their knowledge of what makes a good beach day. Along with their time at the shore, the team conducted tests in the office to accelerate the process of rusting and spoke to expert sources to inform their recommendations. While they're still cleaning sand out of their cars, they narrowed down the testing pool to the top three.
CNN
09-05-2025
- Climate
- CNN
The best beach umbrellas in 2025, tried and tested
The best beach umbrellas we tested Best beach umbrella: BeachBUB All-in-One Beach Umbrella System Best beach umbrella under $100: Sport-Brella Premiere UPF 50+ Umbrella Best beach shade umbrella: Shibumi Shade Mini Beach Shade The best beach umbrellas are like great mattresses or high-performance running shoes: Skimp on quality and you'll have a bad time (or worse, you'll end up hurt). Maybe that sounds far-fetched, but we're speaking from experience here. After testing nine popular beach umbrellas at a windy beach in Los Angeles, California, our crew of product review experts found that most umbrellas won't stay anchored in the worst conditions. Not only is that a safety hazard (flying beach umbrellas have killed people) but it's also a drag if your canopy collapses on your oceanside picnic. Fortunately, the following three beach umbrellas stood out across portability, durability, stability and UV protection tests, providing plenty of sun protection without blowing away. As pricey as they are, we think they're a worthy investment. BeachBUB All-in-One Beach Umbrella System This umbrella delivers on its promise to provide an all-in-one system for the beach, including thoughtful extras that make it one of the safest wind-resistant models we tested. Consider its durable build, backed by superb guarantees, and you can see why BeachBUB is an umbrella you'll be taking to the beach for years. Sport-Brella Premiere 9-Inch XL Umbrella This tent-slash-umbrella hybrid provides plenty of coverage and stability for folks who want a fairly easy setup at an affordable price. Shibumi Shade Mini The Shibumi Shade is made for windy beach days. It's designed to flow in the wind, creating a large surface area of shade. It also operates on less breezy days with included wind assists to anchor the fabric into the sand. While it resembles a beach tent, it weighs 2 pounds and stores compactly in a small pouch you can throw in any tote. When you buy a BeachBUB, you don't just get a sturdy umbrella with a protective 7.5-foot canopy. You get a wind-resistant 'system' including a sandbag tarp, sand gopher and shovel, all backed by a strong warranty. Some of these extras might sound wacky (what the heck is a sand gopher?), but they ensure the BeachBUB remains safe, upright and well worth the upfront cost. Its standout performance became clear during assembly, which begins with the sand gopher, a surprisingly functional metal pipe you use to burrow into the sand. Next, you line the tarp up with the hole and plant the umbrella. A lot of manufacturers have you stop here. But the BeachBUB's genius is its tarp, which you fill with 50 scoops of sand to anchor the umbrella. Though the setup is involved, it's worth the time and effort, as the BeachBUB was one of the only umbrellas we couldn't pull free from the sand. That's no surprise given BeachBUB complies with ASTM's voluntary wind safety standard, requiring beach umbrellas to remain secure in winds up to 30 mph. BeachBUB also earned the American Lifeguard Association's stamp of approval, thanks to its wind-resistant system. Untethered umbrellas have killed and maimed beachgoers, so sturdiness is crucial and not a nice-to-have bonus. This reliability translated into our wind-resistance test, where we ran full speed across the beach with the open umbrella. Whereas the cheap umbrella from Ammsun flipped inside out, BeachBUB's reinforced canopy didn't budge. The brand tops off its excellent build with a few unbeatable guarantees. Under its three-year protection plan, included with every purchase, BeachBUB covers 'all damage and loss' to its umbrellas. Add on BeachBUB's lifetime sandbag base warranty, 10-year frame guarantee and an assortment of replacement parts, and you've got a buy-it-for-life product. Considering all these extras, plus the umbrella's large, protective UPF 50+ canopy, BeachBUB emerges as a winner. Our only complaint is the umbrella's wallet-crushing price. But when you consider the costs of a flimsy umbrella that breaks or injures a passerby, it's clear BeachBUB's safety features, first-rate build and superior performance merit the price. A tent-beach umbrella hybrid is the perfect solution for those who don't have enough upper body strength or the height advantage to bury a traditional beach umbrella deep enough to secure it in the sand. And the Sport-Brella Premiere 9-Inch XL Umbrella proved it during testing. That isn't to say you can't set up the BeachBUB All-in-One Beach Umbrella System or the Shibumi Shade, our two other winners, if you don't have some serious muscle. However, the Sport-Brella felt the most effortless to assemble once we got used to the process. There's some light, angled anchoring of the pole, but since it relies on stakes and tie-down cords to keep it in place, you don't have to dig as deep, unless it's an especially windy day. It's also comparable to the BeachBUB in build quality and survived our wind test without the ribs bending or the canopy flipping, despite how big it is. It also passed our rust test with flying colors. Its ease of use and sturdy build aren't the only reasons this made our top three, though. Despite keeping things lower to the ground than a traditional beach umbrella, it provides a lot of shade and coverage, plus enough space for at least two people to sit comfortably and still bask in all that sea breeze and view. Combine that with its UPF 50+ protection, and you won't find yourself flirting with sunburn or skin cancer with this over your head. Don't let its tentlike design put you off either. We found it easy to flit in and out of it without issue, even though its canopy's ground clearance is technically lower than the others. Yes, you do have to duck, but you don't have to crawl to sit in its shade. It's also a more affordable option, especially next to our other two picks. You may have to work a little more to secure it to the ground if you're dealing with soft sand or very windy conditions, and it only has a one-year limited warranty; however, its sub-$100 price tag makes it more appealing to budget-minded folks who don't want to pay the BeachBUB's almost-$200 price tag. What makes it an even better value are its features. Its pole uses a tilt mechanism for targeted shade protection, while its massive canopy has zippered windows, side panels and two internal pockets. If you want the most stable beach umbrella on the market, the BeachBUB is a no-brainer, But if money is a little tight, then the Sport-Brella Premiere 9-Inch XL Umbrella is the next best thing. The Shibumi Shade Mini is not the beach umbrella we expected, but its convenience and durability surprised our team throughout testing. The price is high, but the Shibumi works with the elements of the beach instead of against them. For something so compact, it also creates the largest surface area of shade we tested, making it our winning pick for best beach shade umbrella. The Shibumi Shade doesn't look like your typical beach umbrella because, technically, it isn't one. Instead, it resembles an open, half-built tent. To set it up, you assemble a single pole, string it through the shade fabric and buckle it into place. You then stick both sides of the pole into the sand to create an arch. Since the ends of the tent pole are smaller, it's like poking a needle into the sand. Once the arch is secured, the fabric of the Shibumi moves in the wind, providing a rectangular surface area of shade. What makes the Shibumi particularly convenient (besides the fact that it only weighs 2 pounds) is that it works with the wind. Gusts of wind thwarted other umbrellas in our testing pool — a few were even blown away on the windy shores of Los Angeles' Hermosa Beach. The fabric of the Shibumi, however, is designed to flow in the wind like a flag. Any particular harsh drafts blow through the arch and support the overall structure. While we had two testers enjoying the coverage of the mini size, four people could fit comfortably. Along with providing an abundance of shade, the Shubumi's fabric provides UPF 50+ sun protection. Of all the beach umbrellas we lugged to and from the sand, the Shibumi is also the most portable. The assembly is reminiscent of building a tent and all the required elements pack into a tiny bag that swings over your shoulder. We understand that although we tested it on a particularly windy day, not every beach trip will have a strong breeze. The Shibumi anticipates this by including wind assists, or sandbags you can attach to the corners of the canopy. They act like an anchor and give the fabric structure so the canopy can still provide shade, even without wind. Our team was fascinated by how this umbrella works. We were less pleased with the $208 price of the mini size and the $288 price of the classic (meant to fit eight people). We don't recommend products at a higher price point lightly, though, and when we do it, we strongly consider our testing and its overall value. Put plainly, there is nothing like the Shibumi in our testing pool. The shade it provides is massive, but its convenience made our team continue to reference it throughout our evaluation. It does come with a limited lifetime warranty, but we understand that the higher price point is a deterrent. But if you can invest in a beach umbrella, the Shubumi will make your life at the beach easier and give you lots of space to enjoy the shade. You can't properly test beach umbrellas in an office, so we braved LA traffic and hauled our umbrellas to Hermosa Beach. From there, we carried them across the sand, set them up alongside an oceanside picnic and collapsed them at the end of the day. We also threw in a few rigorous safety and durability tests, ensuring the umbrellas could withstand wet, windy days at the beach without becoming projectiles. Performance Stability: An umbrella that can't stay upright is like a bike with no handlebars: It's an accident waiting to happen. According to a study published in the Journal of Safety Research, there were thousands of beach umbrella injuries between 2000 and 2019, some of which were fatal. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) published a warning about these dangers, advising beachgoers to look for umbrellas that comply with the ASTM's standards for wind safety (more on that below). Naturally, we took stability testing seriously, attempting to uproot each umbrella and noting any precariousness after setup. Models also earned points for anchors and wind resistance, which we tested by running across the beach with each umbrella's canopy open. UV Protection: A beach umbrella's job is to shield you from harmful UV rays. To test models for sun protection, we noted canopy size, shade provided and the ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) rating. The Skin Cancer Foundation considers any fabric with a UPF of 50 or more 'excellent,' as this blocks at least 98% of the sun's rays. Design Setup and breakdown: No one wants to spend an eternity assembling an umbrella in the hot sun, so we assessed each model's setup and breakdown process. Umbrellas with simple, easy-to-follow instructions topped the charts here. Portability: As we learned in our beach wagon tests, it's not easy to schlep heavy items across sand. But we measured portability by doing exactly that. We loaded the umbrellas into our cars and carried them across Hermosa Beach, noting any difficulties or awkwardness and measuring weight and collapsibility. Carrying cases also factored into our ranking, with sturdy, easy-to-carry bags earning top marks. Value Durability: An umbrella that withstands years of abuse offers more bang for your buck, so we simulated years of wear from ocean mist by applying a mixture of vinegar, hydrogen peroxide and salt, accelerating the rusting process. Though all umbrellas survived that test, we can't say the same for our wind-resistance test, where we ran across a windy beach, attempting to invert or break the umbrellas' canopies. Finally, we awarded points to models built with high-quality materials. Warranty: A more expensive umbrella might be worth the upfront cost if it's backed by a robust warranty. We scrutinized each brand's policies to determine which ones have broad, long-term guarantees. Extra features: Extra features like tilt mechanisms, towel hangers and pockets can make your beach day a little more comfortable, so we factored them into our rubric. However, the most meaningful extras were anchors, wind vents and other safety-enhancing additions. Beach umbrella safety Safety, stability and build quality should be your top priority when choosing a beach umbrella for your sea-sand-sun excursions. According to BeachBUB USA president Bill Schermerhorn, who also heads the ASTM's International subcommittee on beach umbrella safety, 'The old standard of using a screw device, getting a pole deep into the sand, tilting it [and] rocking it back and forth [is] not only ineffective, it's dangerous.' Several sources say that the CPSC found as many as 3,000 beach umbrella-related incidents annually. While we couldn't find that official report ourselves, there have been enough accidents to concern Virginia senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine, who wrote a letter to the CPSC urging the agency to 'finalize strong and clear consumer safety guidances' on beach umbrellas. In April 2024, ASTM International's consumer products committee released a new standard specification for beach umbrellas and their anchor devices (ASTM F3681-24) to reduce beach umbrella-related injuries and deaths. According to this new guideline, 'compliant beach umbrella/anchor systems and beach umbrellas used with compliant anchors must provide a resisting force of at least 75 pounds, or must remain secure in wind speeds of up to 30 mph when a compliant anchor is installed in the sand.' Sadly, this is a voluntary safety standard and, at the time of this writing, not many cities enforce it. 'A lot of municipalities, for a number of reasons, are postponing enforcing it or actually publishing it for fear that they're going to scare their visitors away from their beaches,' Schermerhorn said. Due to this, not many beach umbrellas are improving their designs to meet the new standards. As we've learned from testing several umbrellas of varying sizes and anchoring styles, most beach umbrellas on the market still use the old screw system, which makes them severely inefficient when battling heavy winds or withstanding human intervention. Only a handful of beach umbrellas offer effective anchoring systems without forcing you to seek and purchase separate stabilizing solutions, and very few truly meet this new standard. Does this mean that the standard-compliant BeachBUB All-in-One Beach Umbrella System is your only choice? Should that stop you from getting the umbrella you want or one within your budget? Not necessarily. But if you want to avoid maiming or injuring another beachgoer with a runaway umbrella, maybe invest in additional anchoring for safety. Look for the ASTM F3681-24 label to confirm whether or not the beach umbrella or anchoring system you're considering is compliant. UV protection 'The highest UV protection rating you can get for fabrics is 50+,' Schermerhorn said, and all the beach umbrellas in our product pool have a rating of UPF 50+. However, we do not recommend relying on your beach umbrella alone to protect you from the sun. 'Beach umbrellas provide good sun protection but should not be used as the only form of sun protection,' said Dr. Marisa Garshick, a board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology. 'Even with an umbrella, some UV rays are able to pass.' Furthermore, you're also exposed to UV rays from other sources. 'Beach umbrellas do not protect skin from UV rays that reach skin via reflection off surfaces like sand and water,' Dr. Brendan Camp, a double board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology, said, 'and are, thus, not a foolproof way to protect skin from a sunburn.' Garshick highly recommends wearing sunscreen 'even if you're in the shade, as studies have shown the combination of the two works better than either one alone at protecting the skin from the sun.' Both experts also stress the importance of having additional UV protection like UPF clothing, a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses. Tommy Bahama AnchorX Umbrella The Tommy Bahama AnchorX Umbrella is easy to set up and drill into the sand. While there is a lot we liked about this umbrella, there are no notable features or strong performances in our tests to make it a winning pick. While the Tommy Bahama AnchorX Umbrella is bulkier than others in our testing pool, the setup and breakdown are simple. Once assembled, it stands almost 7 feet tall, and the over-6-foot canopy provided shade that kept us cool while testing. The umbrella also sports a solid UPF rating of 50+, wind vents to keep the canopy secure and the ability to tilt the top of the umbrella to create specific shade angles. Despite the ease of setup, keeping it secure in the soft sand was difficult. The bottom attachment of the pole has a drill design you can screw into the sand like a corkscrew. While this worked well for setting up the umbrella, it was easy to uproot from the sand. Overall, it's simple to use and performed well across categories, but it does not have any distinctive features or particularly strong performance that pushed it into a winning spot. Business & Pleasure Co. The Holiday Beach Umbrella The Holiday Beach Umbrella from Business & Pleasure Co. might have iconic beach style, but it's not stable in the sand. The Holiday Beach Umbrella sports the vintage style synonymous with Business & Pleasure Co. with fringe that accents the 5-foot-wide canopy. The umbrella stands 6.5 feet tall, and twisting the side handle can angle it up to 180 degrees. Our setup did not include such an extreme angle, but we did play around with tilting the umbrella to cover our beach chairs during testing. The smaller canopy meant that there was not as much shade created, though, however we angled it. Additionally, balancing the pole in the sand was most effective when standing upright. The Holiday Beach Umbrella is easy to assemble because there is nothing to attach. You simply twist the lever at the hinge to angle the canopy to full height or a desired tilted degree. For an umbrella in the higher end of our testing pool's price range, however, we were disappointed that the Holiday was not stable in the sand throughout our testing. It was difficult to twist into place at the beach and easy to uproot — sadly, not a winning combination. Business & Pleasure Co. The Premium Beach Umbrella Business & Pleasure Co.'s Premium Beach Umbrella might have a 6-foot canopy and UPF protection, but is lacking when it comes to stability. The Premium Beach Umbrella from Business & Pleasure Co. is easy to assemble. It comes packaged in a carrier bag folded at the hinge. Once you tilt it upright and tighten the handle, it stands 7 feet tall. Ease of use aside, the nearly $300 price point puzzled our team. Besides the fringe accent, no other feature makes this umbrella revolutionary, and it underperformed when it came to stability. There are elements of this umbrella that we do appreciate, of course. The Premium Beach Umbrella's materials seem and feel high-quality. We found no evidence of rusting in our test, and the canopy did not invert while we ran in the wind at the beach. While the canopy's UPF rating of 50+ is an important feature, this protection is not a novelty and fairly common among the umbrellas in our testing pool. Additionally, there are no additional features that anchor this umbrella to keep it secure in the sand. It was easy to uproot it, no matter how hard we tried to twist or dig it into place. Business & Pleasure Co. The Mañana Umbrella The Business & Pleasure Co. Mañana Umbrella's 6-foot canopy has a classic, beach-resort style and can tilt to shade from different angles. While it boasts a UPF 50+ protection and is easy to set up, it failed to stay secure in the sand. Out of all the Business & Pleasure Co. umbrellas we tested, The Mañana Umbrella was able to screw into the sand the best; however, it is still one of the least stable umbrellas we brought to the beach. The setup differs from the Holiday and Premium models from the brand: you attach a pole with a drill-like bottom to the upper portion connected to the canopy. The 6.5-foot canopy of the Mañana can tilt like the other models but with the press of a button rather than the twist of a handle. The larger canopy snaps into place with ease, and the pole feels sturdier than the other two Business & Pleasure Co. options we tested. Still, the Mañana failed to stay as secure in the sand as our winning picks, making it fall in our rankings. OutdoorMaster Beach Umbrella With Sand Bag OutdoorMaster's Beach Umbrella includes an attachable sandbag to keep it secure on the shore. While the canopy maintained its structure in the wind, our team struggled to set up the included accessories. The OutdoorMaster Beach Umbrella showed our team that when it comes to beach umbrellas, you get what you pay for. While it performed well in our wind test, has a UPF 50+ rating, and was fairly stable in the sand, parts of the umbrella were difficult to assemble and broke in the process. The OutdoorMaster Beach Umbrella mimics our winning pick in that it utilizes a provided sandbag to anchor the umbrella. It was relatively easy to attach the bag to the pole and fill it with sand. It is important to keep in mind that this umbrella does not include a shovel, so you will have to pack your own. Opening and closing the canopy of the OutdoorMaster Umbrella was also simple, which we appreciated in our testing. While this umbrella did not rust during our rust test, setting up the included drink holder proved that the umbrella is not very durable. Our team struggled to open and close the attachment meant to slide onto the bottom of the pole and hold up to four drinks. Throughout our attempts to close the umbrella, the drink holder was so stiff that it snapped. AmmSun 7-Foot Heavy-Duty High-Wind Beach Umbrella The AmmSun Heavy-Duty High-Wind Beach Umbrella was no match for the wind at Hermosa Beach. The canopy inverted throughout our testing, and the pole was difficult to secure in the sand. While we like that this is an affordable umbrella option, the AmmSun Heavy-Duty High-Wind Umbrella underperformed when it came to durability in the wind. Setting up the umbrella made our team hopeful at first. It stands 7 feet tall and has a canopy diameter of 6.5 feet. The included umbrella pole and sand anchor indicated that this would be a sturdy option that produced great shade. When we conducted our wind test, however, the Ammsun was the only umbrella to invert in the wind. The reality of the sand anchor attaching to the pole also proved to be better in theory than in practice. To properly anchor the heavy umbrella, we had to dig very deep; otherwise, it was quick to uproot. While AmmSun's stability and durability are lacking, this umbrella still includes a UPF rating of 50+ and is lightweight, despite its size. The following FAQs have been answered by Bill Schermerhorn, BeachBUB USA president and committee chair of the ASTM International subcommittee on beach umbrella safety; board-certified dermatologist Dr. Marisa Garshick; and double board-certified dermatologist Dr. Brenden Camp. Are beach umbrellas safe? Are beach umbrellas safe? Sadly, many beach umbrellas have a basic screw-in anchoring system that's proven to be ineffective and has led to several serious injuries and deaths over the years. If you want a beach umbrella that's safe and stable, Schermerhorn recommends getting one with an ASTM F3681-24 compliance mark on its label. How do you properly anchor and set up a beach umbrella? How do you properly anchor and set up a beach umbrella? Anchoring and setting up a beach umbrella depend on its design, and each brand has its own take on those. However, if you want to ensure that your beach umbrella doesn't fall over or fly away and risk hurting someone, set it up to withstand wind speeds of up to 30 mph or offer a resisting force of at least 75 pounds. Do beach umbrellas offer UV protection? Do beach umbrellas offer UV protection? Many beach umbrellas offer some level of UV protection. However, 'Beach umbrellas should not be used alone as the primary form of sunburn avoidance but should complement other forms of sun protection,' Camp said. What are the best beach umbrellas for sun protection? What are the best beach umbrellas for sun protection? 'When searching for a beach umbrella, look for one that offers a large area of shaded protection,' Camp said. 'The ability to tilt and rotate the umbrella is important so that it can be adjusted to account for changes in sun intensity based on the arc of the sun. Look for umbrellas with opaque or reflective materials that limit the penetration of UV rays.' For this article, we consulted the following experts to gain their professional insights on beach umbrellas, including proper usage and the level of protection they provide against UV rays. Bill Schermerhorn, BeachBUB USA president and committee chair of the ASTM International subcommittee on beach umbrella safety Dr. Marisa Garshick, board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology Dr. Brendan Camp, double board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology CNN Underscored editors thoroughly test the products we cover in our testing guides and provide full transparency about how we test them. We have a skilled team of writers and editors with many years of testing experience, and we ensure each article is carefully edited and products are properly vetted. We talk to top experts when relevant to make certain we are testing each product accurately and listing the pros and cons of each item. For this piece, testing writer Michelle Rae Uy, associate testing writer Gareen Puglia and associate writer Maxwell Shukuya headed to the beach with nine beach umbrellas. The three Californians combined their product testing experience covering lifestyle and tech products with their knowledge of what makes a good beach day. Along with their time at the shore, the team conducted tests in the office to accelerate the process of rusting and spoke to expert sources to inform their recommendations. While they're still cleaning sand out of their cars, they narrowed down the testing pool to the top three.
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Beachgoers sound off on Horry County's wind-driven shading device ban
HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) — After last week's Horry County Council vote to not allow wind-driven shading devices a trial run on the county's unincorporated beaches, a family visiting Myrtle Beach agrees with the decision. Traveling to the coast with her four kids and husband, Janiece Hope said if lifeguard companies and first responders believe them to be dangerous, then there shouldn't be any debate on letting them on the county's beaches. She said it would be 'horrible' if an emergency broke out and a lifeguard wasn't able to rescue someone in time because people wanted a wind-driven shading device. Hope also said although the ends of umbrellas can be dangerous, she said popular wind-driven shading devices — like the Shibumi Shade — could be just as dangerous in different ways. 'Let's be honest, if they're loud and you have a windy day, user error is going to mean that there's going to be situations where they start flying down the beach. I don't want to have to listen to that when I come to the beach and I don't want to have to be hit by some stupid thing flying at me because somebody else was being irresponsible and dropped off,' she said. 'I don't use umbrellas or anything like that in the first place. If you're coming to the beach, it's kind of because it's sunny. It's normal to get sun on you. I think that's sort of a selfish thing anyway.' Hope said those wanting to fight to have wind-driven shading devices should listen to authorities when it comes to the devices putting other's lives in danger. She said if those in charge of monitoring the beaches for public safety say the devices aren't safe, then the possibility of still using them — even for a trial period — shouldn't be an option. 'I think people take their ideas of personal liberties way too far,' she said. 'They don't have a right to put other people at risk, period. That's just not an American freedom.' Hope's son, Evan, said he agreed that the public should be listening to the authorities who said wind-driven shading devices have a hindrance on their line of sight and could be too loud to not hear a cry for help in the water. Although, he said restriction modifications could be a solution for Horry County. 'If it's going to be a problem for lifeguards to see over, and it's a little louder, put them behind up for lifeguards,' he said. Evan said a possible option for Shibumi is also making the product clear for lifeguards to see through them easily. He said if wind-driven shading devices remain an issue for the county, an alternative to umbrellas could be a new invention with similar materials to Shibumi. He said an invention similar to a tent, that's lightweight still without poles and similar shading components. Shibumi co-founder Dave Barnes said Shibumi's are safer than umbrellas and are used on most beaches across the country. He said roughly 2,000 people from Horry County have purchased a Shibumi and called it a shame they aren't able to use them on some of the beaches near their home. Barnes said Shibumi will keep fighting for the device to be used in Horry County. * * * Gabby Jonas joined the News13 team as a multimedia journalist in April 2024. She is from Columbus, Ohio, and graduated from Kent State University in May 2023. Follow Gabby on X, formerly Twitter, Facebook or Instagram, and read more of her work here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Horry County leaders, Shibumi co-founder weigh in after tense meeting
HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) — A day after Horry County leaders nixed a proposal to put wind-driven devices on its beachfront, key players in that debate are explaining their positions. Councilmembers on Tuesday voted 9-3 against setting up a trial period that would have allowed Shibumi Shades and similar products on the county's 14-mile shoreline, mostly over public safety concerns. 'We've said no repeatedly, and here's the reason. Why why do we want to introduce something that is believed to not be in the best safety interest of people,' councilman Michael Masciarelli said Wednesday. 'When you were raised, your parents probably told you, 'don't drink and drive, don't smoke.' Just because somebody else is doing something, doesn't mean we have to.' Surrounding communities like Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach allow Shibumis on the beach during the off-season, while Surfside Beach permits them year-round. Among those who spoke out against Horry County's potential experiment with them were privately run lifeguarding companies who feared obstructed sightlines could delay response times during emergencies. 'If somebody does die as a result of them, are you going to be that person to apologize? Am I? Our county attorney? I'm not going to be that person,' Masciarelli said. The most dramatic moment of Tuesday's meeting came during a heated exchange between Masciarelli and his council colleague Dennis DiSabato, who was in favor of allowing Shibumi onto the sand for a one-year trial period. At one point, Masciarelli implied DiSabato's vote was politically motivated — possibly driven by campaign contributions. News13 checked state campaign finance records, and found that DiSabato never received money from the wind-driven device industry. 'I think there's enough evidence from other areas of the country that have beaches to show that they are not a hindrance to the line of site for police officers or lifeguard, and I think they're just a safer product,' he said. 'As far as the comments made by Mr. Masciarelli, they were completely out of line. They were baseless, they were offensive, and I felt I needed to respond to it in the moment.' Shibumi Shade co-founder Dane Barnes claims his products are indeed safer than the average beach umbrellas rented out by local companies such as Lack's and John's Beach Service. 'The safety record of Shibumi is crystal clear,' Barnes said. News13 reached out to Lack's and John's and are waiting to hear back. A third firm — Beach Service Limited — will continue to blunt the ends of its umbrella poles for public safety. Barnes believes having mass amounts of beach umbrellas won't make things better on Horrry County's beaches. 'A woman has died from a wind-blown umbrella on all three county beaches. Countless people have been hurt and numerous lawsuits have been filed against the beach services,' he said. Barnes said Shibumi is able to see who purchases their devices through their website, roughly 2,000 customers not including those on Amazon and other distributors have purchased a Shibumi in Horry County. Barnes said Shibumi will keep fighting for their devices to be used in Horry County * * * Gabby Jonas joined the News13 team as a multimedia journalist in April 2024. She is from Columbus, Ohio, and graduated from Kent State University in May 2023. Follow Gabby on X, formerly Twitter, Facebook or Instagram, and read more of her work here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Horry County leaders vote to keep wind-shading devices off beaches in explosive meeting
HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) — Wind-driven devices like the popular Shibumi Shade won't be allowed on Horry County's 14-mile beachfront even on a trial basis after councilmembers shot down the proposal Tuesday at an explosive meeting. 'Obviously, these people have never seen our beaches in the summer. You can't walk on them. We have 20 million-plus tourists coming to Myrtle Beach every year,' councilman Bill Howard said. 'I just can't see this happening, and I know that our public safety is concerned about it.' Since its 2016 launch, Shibumi Shade has emerged as the industry's leading manufacturer of wind-shaded devices, popping up on more than 800 beaches across the country. Co-founder Dane Barnes said only 'six or seven' beaches prohibit them, and three are on the Grand Strand: In addition to Horry County's year-round ban, Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach bar them during the busiest three months of summer. Surfside Beach permits them. Barnes told councilmembers that 2,000 Horry County residents have purchased his company's products. 'Right here in Horry County, allowing Shibumis would actually improve beach space. One Shibumi can replace several umbrellas, reducing clutter and making the beach feel more open,' he said. ' He spoke to News13 and says he was not pleased with county council voting down both the options that were on the table. 'But really, my impression of this meeting was that this was the good old boys' network of friends, helping friends and keeping Shibumi out and keeping the free enterprise of a safer solution off of Horry County beaches, which is so unfortunate,' Barnes said. County officials first began discussing the issue in 2023, but it never gained traction due in part to concerns by law enforcement about visibility and overcrowding. Weslyn Lack-Chickering, whose Lack's Beach Service contracts with Myrtle Beach to provide lifeguard services in exchange for renting out umbrellas, said adding Shibumis to the mix during peak tourism season would be crippling. 'By allowing wind-driven devices during the summer months, we're looking at a compliance nightmare. My staff is going to have to explain why one tent is OK and why another tent is not,' she said. 'I know that my staff will be cursed and threatened daily. Lack's truly will not be able to handle this ordinance change.' The most dramatic exchange of Tuesday's meeting came when councilmembers Dennis DiSabato and Michael Masciarelli clashed over their position on the issue. DiSabato said he supported a one-year trial for Shibumis, which led Masciarelli to question how the item appeared on the council's agenda at all after being rejected by its two subcommittees. 'I guess my big question is, sure, this shade isn't going to slap somebody in the face and kill them, but when a lifeguard or somebody can't hear a child hollering for help that they're drowning, or a parent can't get to their child, who's going to apologize for that death,' Masciarelli said. 'Somebody on the council who pushed this for political reasons, campaign donations, whatever the case might be?' 'That is absolutely out of line, Mikey,' DiSabato said. 'Of course, open your mouth and confirm,' Masciarelli shot back. 'He should be censured,' DiSabato said. DiSabato later apologized. 'I take my reputation very seriously, and when one of my colleagues up here decides to impugn that by suggesting that votes are purchased, I get very irate,' DiSabato said. State campaign finance records show that DiSabato has not received any contributions from Shibumi Shade or other wind-driven device companies. * * * Adam Benson joined the News13 digital team in January 2024. He is a veteran South Carolina reporter with previous stops at the Greenwood Index-Journal, Post & Courier and The Sun News in Myrtle Beach. Adam is a Boston native and University of Utah graduate. Follow Adam on X, formerly Twitter, at @AdamNewshound12. See more of his work here. * * * Adrianna Lawrence is a multimedia journalist at News13. Adrianna is originally from Virginia Beach, Virginia, and joined the News13 team in June 2023 after graduating from Virginia Commonwealth University in May 2023. Keep up with Adrianna on Instagram, Facebook, and X, formerly Twitter. You can also read more of her work, here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
