1. Beaches

Category Archives: Beaches

New board motors in to test waters

Posted on by

Topics: asap, lifesaving, ross kemp, sir richard branson, support craft, watercraft

A YOUNG British inventor hopes to revolutionise Australian beaches with a one-person motorised lifesaving craft that has won awards in the UK.

And Ross Kemp has some heavy-hitting support, with Virgin boss Sir Richard Branson flying him to Australia to test his craft on our beaches.

The Asap, as Mr Kemp's craft is known, combines the manoeuvrability of a small paddleboard with on-board electric propulsion to help reach people in trouble faster.

He developed his idea while doing lifesaving training in Britain and designed his first prototypes during his product design degree at Loughborough University.

In September last year, while refining Asap at the university, he won investment from businessman Richard Reed on the BBC TV show Be Your Own Boss.

It was there that Asap caught the attention of Sir Richard, who offered to fly Mr Kemp to Australia to test the product with world-class lifeguards.

"It's taken months of long days, even longer nights and strong coffees, but we've designed a fantastic rescue product which I am certain will help rescuers reach people in the water quicker," Mr Kemp said.

"Australia is one of the best places in the world to test our product, with some of the world's greatest lifeguards."

Sir Richard, who owns luxury Makepeace Island in the Noosa River and occasionally visits the Sunshine Coast, said he had a deep passion for protecting the ocean but was also familiar with its dangers.

Original post:

New board motors in to test waters

Lifeguards gear up for peak period

Posted on by

Lifeguards are gearing up for the biggest weekend of the year as holidaymakers throughout the country throng at popular beaches.

Over summer, about 4000 volunteer lifeguards will spend more than 200,000 hours keeping a watchful eye on some 80 beaches around the country.

Surf Life Saving NZ chief executive Paul Dalton said there would be massive crowds on beaches from today, come rain or shine, after people had made their way to holiday destinations over the last couple of days.

"That's when it will all start to hit in - it will go right through to New Year's weekend or past then. Then everybody will be heading back to work.

"This next two weeks is what it's all about."

Lifeguards were up to the challenge, Mr Dalton said.

"It's what they've been training for all year, really - massive numbers on the beaches, absolute vigilance on what's going on, and really being prepared."

The weather had a massive impact on how busy beaches were, Mr Dalton said.

"You compare last summer, which was basically one of the best in living memory, to the year before, which was an absolute shocker - there's a huge difference in terms of the number of people putting themselves in risky situations."

He doubted the patchy weather forecast for this weekend would put people off.

Follow this link:

Lifeguards gear up for peak period

Durban beaches crammed

Posted on by

2013-12-27 21:50

Durban - Inclement weather conditions in Durban did not stop over 400 000 people from visiting the city's beaches on Christmas and Boxing Day, the Ethekwini municipality said on Friday.

"The number of people visiting Durbans beaches remains high, with approximately 402 260 people recorded to have been at various beaches around the city," said spokesperson Thabo Mofokeng.

"This shows an increase of about 120 000 visitors in the same period last year. Life guards rescued 102 people from near drownings."

Zero drownings were recorded at the beaches since the beginning of the festive season.

About 365 children were taken to the municipalitys Separated Childrens facilities at the beachfront. Of these, 363 were successfully reunited with their parents and or guardians.

The municipalitys Safer Cities and police have been requested to assist and trace the parents of the two remaining children.

Metro police spokesperson, Senior Superintendent Eugene Msomi, urged public transport to drop off passengers and proceed to the allocated parking area.

He said alcohol should not be brought to the beach and anyone found with alcohol would be arrested.

"Since the beginning of the festive season 200 motorists have been arrested for various offences. Road blocks will be intensified throughout the city as we are approaching New Years Eve," said Msomi.

Read more here:

Durban beaches crammed

Top 10 Beaches – Travel – National Geographic

Posted on by

The Maldives are a perfect destination whether your dream beach trip consists of spending a few pampered nights in a four-star resort or swimming among tropical fish some 80 feet underwater.

Photograph by Mohamed Iujaz Zuhair, My Shot

From the National Geographic book The 10 Best of Everything

One of the most photographed beaches in the world, the pale pink sands of Anse Source dArgent unfurls across the island of La Digue, one of the 115 components of this archipelago in the Indian Ocean. The sands sparkle against a backdrop of towering granite boulders, worn by time and weather. The turquoise water is relatively shallow and protected from the oceans waves by a reef.

Whether your dream beach trip consists of spending a few pampered nights in a four-star resort or swimming among tropical fish some 80 feet (24 meters) underwater, the Maldives are the sort of islands where eitheror bothcan come true. Straddling the Equator southwest of Sri Lanka, the 1,102 islands that make up the Maldives form 26 atolls. The soft air enveloping the archipelago blends into a beautiful palm-fringed haze.

This is one of the magical islands that make up French Polynesia in the South Pacific. Just 18 miles (29 kilometers) long, this lush little slip of land lies in a protected lagoon edged by white sandy shores, the best being at Matira Point. Bora Bora boasts the nickname the Romantic Island, a moniker easy to appreciate with its isolated beaches, intimate hotels, and quiet atmosphere.

One of the hip spots for the air-kissing, well-heeled set, the Hamptons boast some of the prettiest beaches on Long Island. The unspoiled shoreline begins around Southampton and runs east to the end of the island at Montauk. Windswept dunes and waving grasses border the Atlantic Ocean.

Half a mile of sparkling sand, palm trees swaying over a white beach, lush tropical plants, and endless sunshine make Lanikai one of Hawaiis most scenic beaches. The shore is protected by a nearby coral reef, which keeps the surf relatively calm. The water is always deep green and postcard-perfect.

The most popular beaches on this island in the North Atlantic are Surfside and Childrens. The waters here are relatively calm, and theres plenty of sand to use for sunbathing or castle-building. Madaket Beach is known for its rougher surf and not-to-be-missed sunsets. Quidnet Beach provides great views of Sankaty Head lighthouse.

Perched on the sunny Queensland coast 161 miles (259 kilometers) northeast of Brisbane, Fraser Island is the worlds largest sand island and home to a wonderful beach. This World Heritage Site is an ecologists dream, with 640 square miles (1,664 square kilometers) of unspoiled natural paradise. Rain forests with 1,000-year-old trees sprout from the sand. Lodgings here accommodate a wide range of tourists, from the backpacking ecology lover to pampered resort fans.

Continue reading here:

Top 10 Beaches - Travel - National Geographic

Beaches (film) – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Posted on by

Beaches (also known as Forever Friends), is a 1988 American comedy-drama film adapted by Mary Agnes Donoghue from the Iris Rainer Dart novel of the same name. It was directed by Garry Marshall, and stars Bette Midler, Barbara Hershey, John Heard, James Read, Spalding Gray, and Lainie Kazan.

The film's theme song, Hot 100 #1 "Wind Beneath My Wings" won Grammy awards for Record of the Year and Song of the Year in 1990. The film was released on VHS in August 1989, with a DVD release on August 13, 2002, followed by a special edition DVD on April 26, 2005.

The story of two friends from different backgrounds, whose friendship spans more than 30 years through childhood, love, and tragedy: Cecilia Carol "C.C." Bloom (Bette Midler), a New York actress and singer, and Hillary Whitney (Barbara Hershey), a San Francisco heiress and lawyer. The film begins with middle-aged C.C. receiving a note during a rehearsal for her upcoming Los Angeles concert. She leaves the rehearsal in a panic and tries frantically to travel to her friend's side. Unable to get a flight to San Francisco because of fog, she rents a car and drives overnight, thinking back on her life with Hillary.

It is 1958, and rich little girl Hillary (Marcie Leeds) meets child performer C.C. (Mayim Bialik) under the boardwalk on the beach in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Hillary is lost and C.C. is hiding from her overbearing stage mother. They become fast friends, growing up and bonding through letters of support to each other. A grown-up Hillary goes on to become a human rights lawyer, while C.C.'s singing career is not exactly taking off. They write to each other regularly and give updates on their lives. Hillary shows up at the New York City dive bar where C.C. is performing, their first meeting since Atlantic City. She moves in with C.C. and gets a job with the ACLU. C.C. is now performing singing telegrams, leading to a job offer from John (John Heard), the artistic director of the Falcon Players, after she sings his birthday telegram.

A love triangle ensues as Hillary and John are instantly attracted to one another, leaving C.C. in the cold and feeling resentment toward her best friend. Matters are made worse when Hillary and John sleep together on the opening-night of C.C.'s first lead in an off-Broadway production. When Hillary returns home to care for her ailing father, the two friends resolve their issues about John, as John does not have romantic feelings for C.C. After her father passes away, Hillary spends time at her family beach house with lawyer Michael Essex (James Read), eventually marrying him. C.C. and John spend a lot of time together, start dating and eventually marry. Hillary and Michael travel to New York to see C.C. perform on Broadway, where she has become a star. When C.C. finds out that Hillary has stopped working as a lawyer, she accuses Hillary of giving up on her dreams, with Hillary responding that C.C. has become no more than a "pretentious, social climber" who is obsessed with her career. Hillary ignores C.C.'s letters, throwing herself into being a dutiful, but unchallenged, wife.

John tells C.C. that her self-centeredness and obsession with her career has him feeling left behind and he asks for a divorce. Upset at the thought of her marriage failing, C.C. turns to her mother, who lives in Miami Beach. Her mother tells her that she has given up a lot for her daughter, and C.C. starts to understand when her mother tells her the effect that her selfishness has had on those closest to her. Meanwhile, Hillary returns home from a trip earlier than expected to find her husband having breakfast with another woman, both wearing pajamas. When Hillary learns that C.C. is performing in San Francisco, she makes contact for the first time in years. They learn of each other's divorces, then discover that they have been secretly jealous of each other for years: Hillary is upset that she has none of the talent or charisma that C.C. is noted for, while C.C. admits she has always been envious of Hillary's beauty and intelligence. The two then realize that their feud could have been avoided by honest communication.

Hillary tells C.C. that she is pregnant and that she has already decided to keep the baby and raise it as a single parent, a decision that wins her much admiration from the feisty and always independent C.C. who promises she will stay and help her out. Hillary has a daughter, whom she names Victoria Cecilia (Grace Johnston). When Victoria is a young girl, Hillary finds herself easily exhausted and breathless, a state she attributes to her busy schedule as a mother and a lawyer. When she collapses she is diagnosed with viral cardiomyopathy, requiring a heart transplant if she is to live. Having a rare tissue type, she realizes she will most likely die before a heart is found. C.C., having just completed her latest album, accompanies Hillary and Victoria to the beach house. Hillary becomes depressed, which she inadvertently takes out on C.C. who she sees having fun with and connecting with Victoria, in comparison to her now debilitated state. Hillary eventually begins to accept her prognosis bravely, appreciating her time with Victoria and C.C.

Hillary and Victoria return to San Francisco, while C.C. heads to Los Angeles for a concert. While Victoria is packing to travel to the concert, Hilary collapses, leading to the note C.C. receives at the start of the movie and her overnight drive to San Francisco. C.C. takes Hillary and Victoria to the beach house. The two friends watch the sun setting over the beach, transitioning directly to a scene of C.C. and Victoria at a cemetery (all with C.C. singing "Wind Beneath My Wings" in the background). After the funeral, C.C. tells Victoria that her mother wanted her to live with her. C.C. admits that she is very selfish and has no idea what kind of a mother she will make, but also tells her: "there's nothing in the world that I want more than to be with you". She then takes Victoria into her arms and the two console each other in their grief. C.C. is performing in concert. After the show, she leaves hand-in-hand with Victoria, and begins telling stories of when she first met her mother. C.C.'s and Victoria's voices fade as we hear the younger C.C. and Hillary from 1958: "Be sure to keep in touch, C.C., O.K.?" "Well sure, we're friends aren't we?" The film ends with a young C.C. and Hillary taking pictures together, in a photo booth, on the day they first met.

The film took in $5,160,258 during its opening weekend - January 21, 1989. To date, it has grossed $57,041,866 domestically.[2]

Included on the soundtrack was Bette Midler's performance of "Wind Beneath My Wings", which became an immediate smash hit. The song went on to win Grammys for Record of the Year and Song of the Year in 1990.

View original post here:

Beaches (film) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Warnings over unsafe beaches

Posted on by

The Auckland Council is warning people not to swim at certain beaches this summer because they are too polluted.

One-third of New Zealand's beaches are contaminated with sewage and run-off, and even though local councils are aware of the problem, some are not acting on it.

Daniel Teura took advantage of today's good day to go paddle boarding. But with one of three New Zealand beaches now too polluted to swim at, he's concerned.

"Stand-up paddle boarding is a pretty growing sport at the moment," he says.

"If it's contaminated someone ought to do something about it."

The Auckland Council has released a report telling Aucklanders which beaches are safe and which are not, also identifying four places in the region that are highly polluted.

Weymouth Beach in south Auckland is one of the most polluted beaches in the country. Swimming or even fishing there could make you very sick.

But like some other local authorities in New Zealand, the Auckland Council has very little desire to clean it up. It says there are already plenty of good swimming beaches in Auckland for people to enjoy.

The Ministry for the Environment says Christchurch's beaches are much cleaner. One resident thinks people there are better at keeping their elected members on their toes.

"We read the reports. They get tested regularly and we like to know how good our harbours and swimming beaches are, and I think a fair amount of pressure goes back on to the council and certainly the regional council," says resident Jamie Tulloch.

The rest is here:

Warnings over unsafe beaches

Patrols now enforcing new jet ski ban at Henley Beach and Grange

Posted on by

ABC Paul Caica says there is wide support for a ban

Safety officers are patrolling beaches at Henley Beach and Grange to enforce a new ban on jet skis and other motorised craft.

They now are banned from use within 200 metres of the shore in a trial aimed at increasing safety for swimmers.

South Australian Transport Minister Tom Koutsantonis says Charles Sturt Council has been allowed to police restrictions and he says other councils might also want to apply to the Government for a licence have similar trials.

"Henley and Grange are two of our most highly-populated metropolitan beaches and we ... want South Australians and visitors to be able to enjoy these beautiful beaches and this ban will go a long way in improving swimmers' safety," he said.

The council chose to make its restricted zone within 200 metres of shore for the area from Grange Jetty to the River Torrens outlet at Henley Beach South.

Rescue vessels and those enforcing the rules are exempt from the ban.

Anyone illegally entering the restricted zone could face a fine of more than $100 and the court penalty is a maximum of $750.

Seaside MP Paul Caica says many residents of his area had called for a ban for some time.

"I know they are as happy as I am about this trial," he said.

More:

Patrols now enforcing new jet ski ban at Henley Beach and Grange

Login

Posted on by

Siesta Key public beach was listed as No. 2 on the top 25 beaches in the United States right after Ka'anapali Beach in Lahaina, Hawai, on TripAdvisor's 2013 'Travelers' Choice' list.

According to a press release, Traveler's Choice Beaches Awards are based on quality and quantity of traveler reviews and ratings for beaches gathered over a twelve month period.

"For those planning their summer vacations, spring break trips, or just looking for a weekend escape from the winter doldrums, take inspiration from TripAdvisor travelers that have visited these beaches and given them the highest levels of praise," said Barbara Messing, chief marketing officer for TripAdvisor. "These beaches provide some of the finest spots around the globe to enjoy water activities, sun and sand."

The top 10 beaches in the U.S. include: 1. Ka'anapali Beach, Lahaina, Hawaii 2. Siesta Key Public Beach, Sarasota, Florida 3. Gulf Islands National Seashore, Pensacola, Florida 4. Fort De Soto Park, Tierra Verde, Florida 5. Lanikai Beach, Kailua, Hawaii 6. Wailea Beach, Wailea, Hawaii 7. Assateague Beach, Assateague Island, Virginia 8. La Jolla Cove, La Jolla, California 9. Laguna Beach, Laguna Beach, California 10. Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve, Honolulu, Hawaii

Here is the original post:

Login

Michigan beach tests awash in controversy

Posted on by

From $1,305 Per Month

2 Bedrooms 1.5 Baths

via Apartments.com

(248) 556-3772

Roommate pricing from $550 each!village park of royal oak apartments in royal oak, mi offers spacious one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments for rent with energy-saving windows, updated kitchens and baths and whirlpool appliances including above the range microwaves.royal oak, michigan is a trendy, exciting and fun place to live and so is village park of royal oak apartments, with two convenient locations - one downtown and one near i-696 and i-75. apartment community amenities include a resort-class clubhouse, fitness center and pool with sun deck. our residents tell us they live at village park of royal oak apartments in royal oak, mi because: 1. two unique locations, one less than a mile from downtown royal oak and one less than a mile from i-75 2. resort-class swimming pool and hot tub 3. renovated kitchens including new cabinetry, upgraded whirlpool appliances, new countertops, energy-efficient lighting, above-the-range microwaves and wood vinyl flooring 4. 5,500 square foot multi-million dollar clubhouse with 24-hour fitness center, racquetball court, free wifi, business center and conference room 5. three spacious floor plans, 1, 2, and 3 bedroom apartment homes 6. walking distance to mark ridley's comedy castle, the royal oak music theater, royal oak farmer's market and much more 7. resident events led by on-site lifestyle director 8. 24-hour maintenance, snow removal and landscape care 9. pet-friendly 10. roommate rewards program which offers 50% off all your fees including security deposit with qualifying credit and roommate forgiveness recipient of the cel and associates a list award for customer service

Original post:

Michigan beach tests awash in controversy

Shark trackers at Albany beaches

Posted on by

Picture: Laurie Benson Shark trackers at Albany beaches

Two Albany beaches have been fitted with satellite-linked monitors to track tagged sharks, as part of the State Governments Shark Monitoring Network.

Monitors were placed at Ellen Cove off Middleton Beach and Whalers Beach about a week ago and are online, ready to make detections.

The monitors are both situated 400m offshore and cover an 800m radius.

Under the Shark Monitoring Network project, 338 sharks have been tagged off the coast of WA.

Albany Surf Life Saving Club and Department of Fisheries are alerted by text message if tagged sharks come within the monitored areas.

The new Albany monitors join 19 others off Perths coast, one off both Bunbury and Meelup, with more expected to be installed off the South West coast.

Project manager Mark Kleeman said it was important sightings of sharks were reported accurately.

The new monitors at these popular beaches will allow beach users to know if a tagged shark is near the beach, with near real-time alerts, he said.

Along with the satellite-linked monitors, there are approximately 320 seabed monitors located throughout WA that also monitor tagged sharks and each time that data is physically retrieved, it will help to establish a much broader snapshot for understanding shark behaviour and movement.

Go here to see the original:

Shark trackers at Albany beaches

Best getaways for 2014

Posted on by

With amazing food, glorious public spaces, and unparalleled museums, theme parks, and beaches, the only thing --budget-- about these world-class vacation spots is the price tag!

Conditions are perfect for visiting these near- and far-flung, culture-rich locales: Price-wise, 2014 is their year. Dipping hotel rates, new attractions, and some perennially affordable sights and eats make these 10 cities ideal to consider for your travel itinerary this year.

SEE THE BEST BUDGET DESTINATIONS FOR 2014

SOUTH AFRICA

The country that Nelson Mandela changed forever will change you, too

Why in 2014: Take your pick of locales to visit in South Africa this year: Hotel rates are down 8 percent across the country. Put wildlife at the top of your agenda, whether you're looking to see the big five on a safari or just want to hang out with the free-roaming penguins on Boulders Beach in Cape Town (careful, they bite). For a less risk-fraught animal excursion, Kruger National Park is one of the best on the continent. For an entrance fee of about $20, you can take in the South African landscape and keep your eyes peeled for both the big five and the little five (buffalo weaver, elephant shrew, leopard tortoise, ant lion, and rhino beetle). Beach lovers will flip for Cape Town's beaches, at the intersection of the Atlantic and Indian oceans. Go Atlantic (the western side) for sunbathing and watercolor sunsets; hit the Indian (the eastern side) for swimming and surfing. Many of the eastern beaches have lifeguards. Soweto township in Johannesburg offers numerous opportunities to absorb the city's prominent history, such as the Nelson Mandela Museum and the Apartheid Museum. When you're hungry, visit the restaurants on Vilikazi Street; the indigenous local food menus include tripe, morogo (boiled wild spinach), and ting ting (sour porridge).

Where to Stay: In Cape Town, the Parliament Hotel's helpful staff, free breakfast, and safe location next to a police station are key basic reasons to book your stay. Nearby, you'll find Company's Gardens, where you can marvel at an aviary and scope out the oldest pear tree in Africa, and the Slave Lodge Museum, which educates visitors about South Africa's history of oppression. (parliamenthotel.co.za, from $67

VENICE

Yes, Venice! Hit the enchanting city of canals while hotel rates are down

Why in 2014: Put "floating down picturesque Venetian canals in a gondola" on your 2014 itinerary. Spending time in Venice is now more affordable than ever--hotel rates are down 7 percent from last year. Along with the iconic gondola trip, visiting the Piazza San Marco is a must: The Sansovino Library and the Ducal Palace stand at either side. You can't miss the two large granite columns from the 13th century that are topped with two symbols: the Lion of Saint Mark and a statue of Saint Theodore. Soak in the work of Venetian masters such as Vittore Carpaccio, Tiziano Vecelli, and Giorgione at Gallerie dell'Accademia, then follow it up with a dose of modern art at the Peggy Guggenheim museum, which showcases works from her personal collection by big names including Picasso, Dali, and Pollock. Ask your hotel's concierge about water transportation to Murano, where you can see traditional glass blowing on a small tour. Be aware that there's a hard sell at the end of the tour. They really want you to buy fancy glass.

The rest is here:

Best getaways for 2014


  1. Beaches