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Category Archives: Beaches

South coast beaches fatality free in 'dramatic turnaround'

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Dramatic turnaround ... Surf life saver Andrew Edmunds said far south coast lifesavers made it through the 2012-13 season without any deaths. Photo: Lannon Harley

Volunteer surf lifesavers have ended their season without a single death recorded on Far South Coast Beaches.

Increased patrols and regular checks of dangerous swimming spots saw a dramatic turnaround on the 2011-2012 season when eight people died swimming in the region.

After the close of the season on Sunday, Surf Life Saving director Andrew Edmunds said the efforts of volunteers had saved lives during the summer months.

"This achievement is incredibly rare and I am very proud of the work our members have accomplished, he said.

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"We've been doing more patrols, and proactively checking on known black spots that aren't usually patrolled to improve response times to emergencies."

Far South Coast volunteers performed 141 rescues and recorded more than 1100 preventative actions, including helping swimmers, rock fishermen and users of boats and jet skis.

Surf conditions closed 38 beach since the season began in September, and surf lifesavers treated about 300 people with first aid.

"It's remarkable there were no lives lost, with some close calls including resuscitations and spinal injuries in our area, Mr Edmunds said.

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South coast beaches fatality free in 'dramatic turnaround'

800 volunteers collect 1,757kg of waste on eight beaches

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FROM the beaches of Penang and Selangor to Johor, about 800 people came together to clean up the coastlines in various locations under the AEON Pantai Ku Indah programme.

Held recently in conjunction with Earth Day, the clean-up was simultaneously held in eight different locations nationwide with approximately 1,757kg of rubbish collected.

Themed My Beautiful Coastal, it is an annual initiative by AEON Co (M) Bhd to educate and create awareness among the local community on the importance of preserving the environment for the future generation.

The educational and fun-filled day was led by AEONs top management and staff, and saw participants from all walks of life chipping in.

AEON has always supported environmental sustainability and green awareness. We hope with public awareness campaign such as this, we can pass down our values to our community and children, said AEON Co (M) Bhd corporate communication & branding senior manager Nor Laila Mohd Samin.

Kicking off for the first time last year, the event saw around 1,000 people participating.

Taking a step further this year, AEON aimed to engage the younger generation as well to be part of the nationwide coastal clean-up.

We are proud that around 500 children joined us this year, showing that the younger generation is now taking an interest in environmental issues, said Nor Laila.

The participating children were mostly from AEON Malaysia Cheers Club, which was established last year, to promote a sense of love for environment among the younger generations.

During the coastal clean-up session, the children were exposed to environment education and recycling processes.

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800 volunteers collect 1,757kg of waste on eight beaches

Cali Beaches with the Kids

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Yoga on the beach, Santa Monica.Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel

Getty Villa Family Forum.Elon Schoenholz

At the Getty Museum's Family Forum, kids can act out a scene from an ancient vase.Elon Schoenholz

Ready to show off?

If you've got any gymnastics moves, now is your chance to strut your stuff -- and it won't cost you a penny. Try the rings or climb the rope -- right on the beach in Santa Monica. Maybe you'd rather just swing or kick back in the sand while the kids show off.

On a sunny afternoon recently, kids as well as fit adults were doing that and more on Santa Monica beach's famous Muscle Beach.

"The idea of having a gymnasium right at the ocean is really cool -- the ropes and the swings and bars ... you don't have that at other beaches," said Elizabeth Gevorkian, 16, who lives nearby in Burbank.

"It is really cool to watch people who know what they are doing and then try it yourself," said a very happy 13 year old visiting with her brother from Canada.

There is even an area for the kids to climb mini ropes and other equipment. Adults -- and kids -- were doing yoga, inline-skating, riding bikes (you can rent both right here and bike along the beach on the South Bay Bicycle Trail that runs for 22 miles) and jumping in and out of the surf and squealing with laughter. They were playing beach volleyball on the many free courts and lining up for fresh lemonade and tacos, playing games in the arcade on the pier.

In case you're wondering, the original Muscle Beach -- a few miles away in Venice -- is plenty busy too and a great place to people-watch -- if you prefer characters. (I saw one guy skateboarding with a black cat on his shoulder.)

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Cali Beaches with the Kids

Goa tourism department bans drinking on beaches

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Panaji, April 26 (ANI): The Department of Tourism in Goa has banned drinking and carrying of liquor bottles on beaches in the state.

Goa's image has taken a beating recently, largely due to a spate of crimes against foreign tourists, rising prices and its overcrowded beaches.

The Director of Tourism Department in Goa, Nikhil Desai, said they took the decision to ban consumption of liquor on beaches to make tourists feel safer.

"Now, if people want to come to Goa, they are our guests, we will welcome them. Let them have drink in shacks or in hotels or any other licensed premises, which is perfectly legal, and let them behave responsibly so that Goa continues to remain beautiful not only for them, but for other tourists and other stakeholders who are part of this industry," said Desai in Panaji.

Tens of thousands of tourists visit Goa to enjoy its sun kissed beaches, which are also famous for night-long parties.

The tourism department has also asked the state police to increase patrolling to prevent the tourists from breaking glass bottles on the beaches.

The President of All Goa Liquor Traders Association, Dattaprasad Naik, however, said the ban would affect liquor traders and sales.

Goa attracts over 2.6 million tourists annually. The surf, sun and cheap liquor are some of the main draws of the state, which is one of the top beach tourism destinations in the country. (ANI)

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Goa tourism department bans drinking on beaches

'Restore, not destroy Penang beaches'

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This was Barisan Nasional candidate for Pulau Tikus Rowena Yam's message to Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, who appeared to be bent on pushing for an undersea tunnel, which she said was going to bring environmental degradation to Penang's seafront promenade.

Yam was responding to a New Straits Times report on Wednesday over a survey which revealed that Penangites were not given adequate information by the state authorities over a multi-billion ringgit infrastructure project involving the tunnel and three highways.

"I am shocked that the independent poll by non-governmental organisation Citizens Awareness Group revealed that 75 per cent of the 1,000 respondents said the government had not provided enough information on the projects before they were approved and awarded to a consortium.

"Moreover, the report stated that 80 per cent of the respondents did not know that the construction of the undersea tunnel might potentially sacrifice the seafront promenade of Gurney Drive.

"If this is true, the Pulau Tikus constituency is bound to lose its most iconic landmark and a public recreational seafront. I am sure Penangites want to know how the 6.5km Gurney Drive-Bagan Ajam undersea tunnel and the 4.2km bypass at the Gurney Drive-Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu highway are going to impact the seafront promenade."

Gurney Drive, located in the Pulau Tikus neighbourhood, is lined with condominiums where owners paid a premium for the seafront view.

Yam was referring to Lim's recent announcement that his administration had awarded a RM6.3 billion infrastructure project to a Sino-Malaysian consortium.

"The Gurney Drive beaches are gradually disappearing due to coastal erosion and land reclamation. The state government should embark on projects to restore the beaches to its former glory. I would also propose that they be turned into a larger stretch of white sandy beaches for visitors to come and enjoy a sunny day by the sea."

Yam, 44, who is a lawyer, said she would leave it to the voters to decide if they would like to vote for an environmentally-revitalised Gurney Drive or the undersea tunnel and the destruction of Gurney Drive.

Barisan Nasional candidates for Pulau Tikus Rowena Yam and Bukit Bendera Teh Leong Meng (right) having a light moment with a barber during their walkabout at Pulau Tikus market. Pic by Goh Thean Howe

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'Restore, not destroy Penang beaches'

Viator: Insider's Guide to Malaysia's Best Beaches

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I'll let you in on a secret...

Thailand is not the only country in southeast Asia with stunning beaches. Malaysia has dozens of tiny islands on both the east and west coasts that rival the beauty of southern Thailand. Plus, the beaches in Malaysia have the added advantage of being relatively unknown (read: cheaper, less crowded, more unspoilt).

Photo credit: Nicolas Lannuzel on Flickr.

One important fact to keep in mind when planning a trip to any Malaysian beach is the monsoon season -- do not visit the east coast of Malaysia between November and March, unless you like rain. Lots of rain. That one caveat aside, here are my top picks for a beach-hopping Malaysian adventure.

For more information about Malaysia tours & things to do in Malaysia, check out our Things to Do in Malaysia Blog and our Suggested Itineraries in Malaysia blog post

Photo credit: Nicolas Lannuzel on Flickr.

Redang. The most expensive of the east coast islands, Redang is truly paradise. Very few Malaysians actually live on the island, so you pretty much have the whole place to yourself. Snorkeling is available off any beach; if you're lucky, you might even see some sea turtles. Redang is well known as a turtle sanctuary, they usually lay their eggs on Turtle Beach on the north of the island. Berjaya Air makes it very easy to get to Redang from KL's Subang airport (a 45-minute flight, and you're on the beach within five minutes of arriving).

Photo credit: Nguyen Thnh Lam via Flickr.

Perhentian Islands. A selection of smaller islands just north of Redang, the Perhentians are very popular with budget travelers. The beaches are totally unspoilt, with a wide variety of beach huts right on the shore, for just the right price. A favorite for diving and snorkeling, the Perhentians are a great place to earn your scuba diving certificate.

Read more: A Backpacker's Paradise: the Perhentian Islands

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Viator: Insider's Guide to Malaysia's Best Beaches

Beaches preparing to reopen Memorial Day

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OLD LYME, CT (WFSB) -

Cleanup continues as beaches along the shoreline including Hammonasset State Park are about a month away from their planned opening Memorial Day weekend.

After the damage left by Superstorm Sandy and Blizzard Charlotte, crews were busy Thursday and officials with the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) were hoping for bond money to make long-term investments in the parks.

DEEP Crews actually started their cleanup way before the snow was even starting to melt because of the damage left by the storms.

"It's a lot of work, a lot of cleanup people have to do," said Falynn Bristol, of Clinton. "It's a shame."

Debris was pushed into huge piles that are sitting in giant empty parking lots waiting for the chippers.

"I live in Westbrook which is a shoreline town as well," said Kim Bennett, of Westbrook. "Our beach has suffered. It's hard to see but obviously they have a lot of work to do."

On Friday, the state bond commission will consider a $1.7 million request to repair storm damaged facilities at Hammonasset State Park as well as to the state's marine district headquarters in Old Lyme.

As for rebuilding the boardwalk in Madison, that's not in the plans, and neither is putting more sand back on West Beach at Hammonasset.

However, future improvements were on the drawing board.

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Beaches preparing to reopen Memorial Day

Crime Against Women: Alcohol, drinking banned on Goa Beaches

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Panaji, April 24: In a move to curb crime against women and keep the beaches in the state clean, Goa Tourism department asked Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB) to restrict people with alcohol or glass bottles on beaches in Goa.

According to sources, alcohol on Goa beaches will be banned soon. Times of India quoted a senior tourism department official as saying, "Implementation of this (ban on alcohol on Goa beaches) has begun."

"To prevent eve teasing incidents on Goan beaches we have taken this step," added the official who also informed that even locals would not be allowed to enter into the beaches with alcohol.

"Domestic tourists coming to Goa, buy liquor in bulk from wholesale stores and enter beaches with snacks which is one of the reasons for littering on beaches. This will also help to keep beaches clean," the official was quoted as saying.

The daily report also mentioned that the state tourism department has been trying to prevent tourists drinking on beaches and the breaking of bottles on beach by drunken tourists with the implementation of the ban.

According to sources, authorities instructed IRB to request people initially not to consume liquor on beaches. If the people refuse then IRB officers would be allowed to take the bottles away from the tourists.

OneIndia News

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Crime Against Women: Alcohol, drinking banned on Goa Beaches

Glass liquor bottles to be banned on Goa beaches

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Panaji, April 24 (IANS) Drinking an ice-cold beer from that frosted green pint glass bottle may soon be a crime on Goa's beaches, a senior police officer said Wednesday.

Goa Director General of Police Kishen Kumar told IANS that drinking from glass bottles on beaches would no longer be tolerated in Goa.

"Would you like to drink in the open? What kind of human beings like to drink on beaches?" Kishen Kumar asked.

The ban follows lobbying by Calangute legislator Michael Lobo, who has been campaigning against the nuisance caused by glass shards scattered on the state's beaches.

"I took up the issue with the tourism department and the police. So many tourists complain about injuries caused by broken glass pieces of beer and liquor bottles on the beaches," Lobo said, advocating ban on glass liquor bottles on the state's beaches.

The tourism department has also asked the police to increase patrolling to check tourists from breaking glass bottles in beach areas.

Goa attracts over 2.6 million tourists annually. The surf, sun and cheap liquor are some of the main draws of the state, which is one of the top beach tourism destinations in the country.

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Glass liquor bottles to be banned on Goa beaches

Goa bans drinking alcohol on beaches

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Goa government has banned drinking liquor on beaches in a bid to curb littering and nuisance caused to women tourists.

However, one can continue to enjoy drinks at designated places like beach shacks, Goa Tourism Director Nikhil Desai told PTI.

"The ban has been imposed under Goa Tourist Places (Protection and Maintenance) Act which gives the right to the state government to ban things which create nuisance in the tourism zones. The act envisages to protect and maintain the tourist places from deterioration and erosion and preserve the tourism potential", he said.

India Reserve Battalion (IRB), a wing of Goa Police, manning the law and order on beaches, is asked to implement the order with immediate effect. "The violation will attract arrest", Desai added.

Desai clarified that the prohibition order is not applicable to drinking in licensed shacks or any other places where retail sale of liquor is allowed.

The ban is the fallout of mounting complaints by tourists getting injured by broken bottles littering beaches and of nuisance against women tourists by drunk hoodlums loitering beaches.

A favoured tourist destination, Goa attracts around 2.4 million tourists annually, chunk of whom are domestic.

PTI

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Goa bans drinking alcohol on beaches

Beaches reopen after slurry spill

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24 April 2013 Last updated at 09:59 ET

Three beaches at a Ceredigion seaside resort have reopened after 15,000 litres of slurry leaked from a burst tank on a farm.

Traeth y Dolau, Traeth yr Harbwr and Traethgwyn in New Quay were closed on Tuesday afternoon following the leak.

Some slurry made its way into a stream leading to the sea and the beaches were cordoned off as a precaution.

But Natural Resources Wales said the spill would have no long-term effects on the environment.

It said most of the slurry has been contained on the farm and was being put in tankers.

A fire crew and an environmental protection unit from Llanelli were sent to the scene following the alert on Tuesday.

"Our officers are monitoring the situation at New Quay very closely and are continuing to work with the farmer to prevent any further slurry entering the stream and the sea," said a Natural Resources Wales spokesperson.

We're not expecting any long-term consequences for the environment, the beaches or the water bathing quality in the area

"Much of the slurry dispersed with the tide overnight, but we'll continue to take water samples daily and share the information with Ceredigion County Council until we are sure that the pollution has cleared and the water quality has recovered."

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Beaches reopen after slurry spill

Bikini ban on United Arab Emirates beaches extends to tourists

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Sept. 6, 2012 - FILE photo of a woman reading the Koran on a beach as people in bikinis sunbathe and swim at sunset in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.AP

RAS AL-KHAIMAH, United Arab Emirates Bikinis and briefs are no longer welcome on some sands in the United Arab Emirates.

Authorities in Ras al-Khaimah, the northernmost emirate in the UAE, have posted signs on public beaches warning of possible fines for revealing swimwear such as two-piece bikinis for women and brief trunks for men.

The Abu Dhabi-based newspaper The National reports Monday that the move followed complaints from local families who didn't like sharing the sands with tourists showing too much skin. The emirate is located about 60 miles northeast of Dubai.

The UAE hosts a patchwork of different social mores among its seven semi-autonomous emirates, ranging from conservative to relatively liberal. Dubai for example urges "respectful" attire but rarely objects to outfits such as miniskirts or bikinis.

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Bikini ban on United Arab Emirates beaches extends to tourists

Santa Cruz beaches make Yahoo's list of most searched

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SANTA CRUZ -- Whether daydreaming at the office or picking a place for a family vacation, a high percentage of people are plugging "Santa Cruz beach" into the Yahoo search engine, according to data provided by the Sunnyvale company.

In a seven-day snapshot ending April 16, Santa Cruz beach was the fourth most searched beach on Yahoo, only beat by South Carolina's Myrtle Beach, Virginia Beach and Panama City Beach in Florida.

The search company was unable to provide specific numbers, and would only say the data was based on the volume of searches over seven days in which a spike was seen for Santa Cruz.

"Every April we start to see people searching for beaches," said Carolyn Clark, a Yahoo web trend analyst. "We like to keep a pulse on what people are searching for. People are deliberate in their searches."

On a balmy Thursday without a cloud in the sky and the rumble of Boardwalk rides echoing across the warm sand at Main Beach, it was easy to see why folks are seeking out the laid back surf town online.

"It's a nice big beach with a lot of sand area versus the more rocky beaches," said Stephanie Randazzo, a resident of the Los Gatos mountains visiting Santa Cruz with a group of new mothers. "It's a fun environment with the Boardwalk right here."

The search engine spike is welcome news to the many businesses in Santa Cruz that depend on tourist traffic to survive, especially during the upcoming summer months.

With

The Boardwalk has a slew of new additions to keep drawing fans, including the new $6 million roller coaster called Undertow, which should be running by June.

The amusement park also will put in a new Cyclone and add Jungle Climb, a game in which guests climb a string ladder and press a button at the top to win.

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Santa Cruz beaches make Yahoo's list of most searched


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