Charlotte Observer | Rip current victims at NC beaches need help, but not the kind you think Charlotte Observer The 80-person human chain that formed on the Florida coast to save a family from rip currents on July 8 made for dramatic images and a happy ending. It could also have gone terribly wrong. One of every five victims of rip currents in the Carolinas over ... |
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Rip current victims at NC beaches need help, but not the kind you think - Charlotte Observer
By Mindy Weisberger, Senior Writer | July 20, 2017 07:10am ET
Credit: Sea-Mer Association
Take a stroll on a beach and you're likely to encounter plentiful evidence of life from the ocean amid the flotsam: stray clumps of seaweed, colorful seashells, even the occasional crustacean or jellyfish.
But sometimes what washes up on a beach is much harder to identify. Perhaps the object is partly decomposed, or represents a species of marine animal or plant rarely glimpsed on land. Or maybe its condition raises questions about previously unknown relationships or behaviors of ocean creatures, or offers hints about unusual ocean dynamics.
Here are some intriguing examples of mysterious and peculiar emissaries from the sea, which remind us that there is much to be discovered about life in the oceans' depths.
Credit: Sea-Mer Association
Qu'est-ce-que c'est? Beginning on July 14, several French beaches in the north of the country experienced a new type of visitor thousands of yellow, clumpy masses that arrived with the tide and defied identification, though reports indicated that they smelled faintly of paraffin.
An estimated several tons of the waxy objects were observed on shores and along 37 miles (60 kilometers) of French coastline, and they might represent a by-product of hot grease in boat exhaust, according to the organization Sea-Mer Association, which is supervising the clean-up.
Credit: Hilarie Sorensen/University of Oregon
Gelatinous, translucent, bumpy-skinned oblong sea creatures called pyrosomes have recently taken up residence in waters along the Pacific coastline of the U.S., congregating in the millions and washing up on beaches and no one knows why.
The so-called "sea pickles" are generally found in more tropical waters, and it is uncertain what triggered their unusual population explosion in 2017, representatives of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association said in a statement.
Credit: Patasiwa Kumbang Amalatu/YouTube
Gooey masses of decomposing flesh that wash up on beaches can be particularly challenging to identify. In May, residents of Seram Island, Indonesia were treated to the sight of a beached boat-sized creature dripping with red fluid and with parts of its body inflated by quantities gas-producing bacteria.
However, scientists explained that the creature was a type of baleen whale, pointing out noticeable grooves in its head area and the presence of visible plates that once held rows of brushy baleen filters.
Credit: Leda Olmstead
Hefty ice spheres as big as basketballs and weighing as much as 50 pounds (22 kilograms) clustered along the northeastern coast of Lake Michigan in 2013.
Ice balls like these begin as bits of slush and ice crystals, shaped by the rolling motion of waves close to shore. They are commonly glimpsed in the area during the winter months, but they rarely grow this large, according to Tom Ulrich, deputy superintendent for the park where the icy lumps were found.
Credit: Marine Dynamics
A series of gruesome marine "crime scenes" played out on South African beaches in May and June, when scientists discovered the ragged remains of four great white sharks that were missing their livers.
Orcas emerged as the prime suspects, as they are known to occasionally prey on great whites, and livers along with other internal organs are a "sweet spot" for predators, a marine biologist told Live Science.
Credit: Tyler Dvorak/Catalina Island Conservancy
When a deep-sea oarfish measuring 13.5 feet (4 meters) in length washed up on Catalina Island in California on June 1, 2015, it offered scientists the rare opportunity to take a closer look at the elusive fish's biology.
Because oarfish live in ocean depths, there is much about their anatomy and behavior that is unknown, and teams of scientists jumped at the chance to study the animal's skeleton, muscles, feeding structures and reproductive system which included 7-foot-long ovaries.
Credit: Illustration courtesy of PLOS ONE, modified by the Burke Museum
Part of an 80-million-year-old fossil thighbone found embedded in marine rock in Washington's San Juan islands provided the first evidence that dinosaurs once roamed the state.
Paleontologists discovered the femur while looking for fossilized signs of other extinct animals, and the rock was so hard that it took an entire day to pry the fossil out. Though it is unclear what species of dinosaur the bone belonged to, the scientists eventually identified it as a theropod a type of meat-eating dinosaur in a study published in 2015 in the journal PLOS ONE.
Credit: M. Sid Kelly, YouTube screenshot
In 2014, beachgoers on the western coast of the United States were confronted by millions of squishy blue animals resembling jellyfish but each was topped with a rigid structure resembling a sail.
Each of these tiny organisms, called "by-the-wind sailors," measurs about 2.75 inches (7 centimeters) in length. They typically inhabit the open ocean, preferring warm waters in locations around the world. But every few years, storm activity can sweep them toward coastal regions, where they pile up on beaches in enormous quantities in 2009 or 2010, dead and dying sailors accumulated on a California beach to a depth of several feet, an oceanographer told Live Science in 2014.
Credit: Greg Rouse
On July 13, a Reddit user shared photos of a peculiar, lumpy object on a California beach that resembled "an organ," according to the photographer.
Images of the fleshy object, which was estimated to be 5 inches (13 centimeters) in length showed bulbous purplish regions likely its protruding gut on a partly-decomposed body bisected by a long furrow, with black markings along one side. The puzzling creature's identity was difficult to pinpoint, and marine biologists told Live Science that it could be a type of sea slug (pictured here) or a limpet.
Credit: Proteccin Civil y Bomberos de Acapulco
Perplexed officials and bystanders in Mexico were stymied by a massive, shapeless jumble of pulpy, greyish flesh in 2016, after it washed ashore on an Acapulco beach.
With a little imagination, the remains could perhaps be attributed to a fantastic sea monster. But experts explained that mystery masses such as this one are the decaying heads of sperm whales, made of deflated flesh from the upper part of the head and the mass of connective tissue known as "the junk," from the lower part of the head.
Credit: Bardocz Peter | Shutterstock.com
A beach in Siberia was recently blanketed by something unexpected scores of orb-like snowballs in sizes ranging from that of a tennis ball to nearly 3 feet (1 meter) in diameter.
Local news reports described the balls first appearing on the ice-covered beach in late October, with the spheres shaped by winds and the movement of the tides. Though this is a natural phenomenon, it is quite rare, with long-time residents in the area reporting that they had never seen it before.
Credit: Enrique Talledo, http://www.enriquetalledo.com
Enormous squids that dwell in the deep ocean are rarely seen by people unless they happen to die and wash up on land, as did a giant squid (Architeuthis dux), the largest known invertebrate, in 2013.
The sizable beast beached in October at the La Arena beach in Cantabria, Spain; it measured 30 feet (9 meters) in length and weighed a staggering 400 pounds (180 kilograms).
Credit: Nicole Haroutunian, photo courtesy of Underwater New York.
The organization Underwater New York, a digital multimedia art journal, features works inspired by unusual objects that wash up on shores and lurk in the depths of waterways around New York City.
One of its recently documented finds a lonely mechanical hand with articulated fingers was spotted on the shore of Great Kills Park Beach, in Staten Island. Other peculiar submerged discoveries mentioned by the journal include a grand piano and dead giraffe, both of which were found in Lower New York Bay.
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Mindy Weisberger is a senior writer for Live Science covering general science topics, especially those relating to brains, bodies, and behaviors in humans and other animals living and extinct. Mindy studied filmmaking at Columbia University; her videos about dinosaurs, biodiversity, human origins, evolution, and astrophysics appear in the American Museum of Natural History, on YouTube, and in museums and science centers worldwide. Follow Mindy on Twitter.
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Lake Charles State Park
When planning a beach vacation, land-locked Arkansas rarely jumps to the top of the list. It's surprising to most that Arkansas indeed does have lake and river beaches, with no jellyfish, no crabs or sharks. Instead we have crystal clear waters surrounded by beautiful forested scenery.
We have huge U.S. Army Corps of Engineers lakes and U.S.D.A. Forest Service lakes. Several state parks are located on lakes or rivers. There are city parks and we have privately owned lakes and swimming holes. As you can see, Arkansas has plenty to choose from. Some are fully developed, others are more rustic.
Of the 23 state parks that have water access, eight offer Arkansas beaches. These are DeGray Lake, Lakes Catherine, Charles, Dardanelle and Ouachita, Village Creek, Woolly Hollow and Crowley's Ridge, along with Jacksonport on the White River.
Greers Ferry Lake
Fifteen U.S. Army Corps of Engineers lakes in Arkansas have sandy shores of some sort. The crystalline blue waters of Beaver, Bull Shoals, Greers Ferry, Norfork, and Table Rock Lakes are all tucked away in the mountains in the northern half of the state. Three of the sparkling Diamond Lakes -- Ouachita, DeGray, and Greeson -- are Corps impoundments. Lakes Catherine and Hamilton, two privately owned bodies of water round out the five gems.
Eight watery playgrounds are located in the confines of the tree-shrouded Ozark and St. Francis National Forests. Cove, Spring, Horsehead and Shores Lakes, plus Lake Wedington and Long Pool are located in the Ozarks. The St. Francis in the eastern part of the state boasts Bear Creek and Storm Creek Lakes. In the Ouachitas, Albert Pike, Charlton, Jack Creek, Knoppers Ford recreation areas are on the banks of mountain streams and small lakes. Lake Sylvia and Shady Lake are popular Ouachitas Arkansas swimming destinations.
Don't think you have to head to the hinterlands for swim beaches in Arkansas. Some of the best Arkansas swimming destinations here are city-owned properties such as Lake Leatherwood in Eureka Springs, Beaverfork Lake in Conway, and Hill Wheatley Park on Hot Springs' Lake Hamilton, so you can dive right in to a bit of summer fun without having to spend half your day in the car.
Lake Bennett at Woolly Hollow State Park
Some of the Arkansas beaches have user fees. Be sure to contact and check with the agency that oversees the lake and/or river for information about hours, usage policy and more.
Pack your swimsuit, inner tubes and other floatable toys, and a picnic lunch, and come splash the summer away on an Arkansas beach or swimming hole.
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Its summer in LA, and while we may take it for granted, every other city is losing their mind wishing they could spend their time on our beaches. Weve got excellent water, excellent food, excellent bars, and excellent-looking people in bathing suits, which is exactly why we should be beach bumming it as often as we can. Happy summer everybody: Here are the shoreline spots you need to hit in and around Los Angeles, and the things you should be eating while youre there.
For those of us who may actually be a little sick of the summer/borderline oppressive heat, a northern beach like Oxnard is a dream. Its generally at least 15 degrees cooler and the vibe is unbelievably relaxed. It's only an hours drive from LA and theres a ton of fun stuff to do in Oxnard that ranges from jet ski rentals to backpacking trips through the Channel Islands. Thinking of renting a beach house for a weekend somewhere? Youll find plenty of beaches along Oxnards coast, but Oxnard Beach itself might be the prize. The waves here are absolutely stunning, and its just adjacent to Oxnard Beach Park, which is wonderful for lounging/bringing the kids/creepily staring at other peoples dogs.
Where to eat/drink: If you skip Carnitas El Rey, youre doing it wrong. The move here is, of course, the carnitas, which are just about as good as anything youll find anywhere. Theyre also the only thing on the menu, so it stands to reason theyd be good. Fishermans Catch is a perfect spot for fresh seafood on the water, and the home of some truly life-affirming clam chowder.
Bonfires are illegal in Los Angeles for the most part, but Dockweiler gives nary a care about that, because you can bonfire it up all you want over here. Grab your gear and hit one of the many bonfire pits laid out along the beach, but be warned: They tend to fill up fast, so arriving early is key. If youre looking for a challenge, take your BBQ game on the road -- grab some meats from Belcampo on your way up, and set up a makeshift grill over the fire.
Where to eat/drink: Theres not much near Dockweiler (unless youre trying to eat at LAX), so its gonna be a BYO picnic kinda day. Because of the aforementioned law enforcement, we absolutely do NOT endorse the idea of you bringing fast-food cups and filling them with liquids of your choosing. We would never, ever say to do that.
Arguably Malibus premier surfing destination, Zumas the type of place people from the Midwest picture when they think of Los Angeles beaches -- in other words, they shot a whole lot of Baywatch here. Zumas one of the biggest beaches in all of LA, so despite its popularity you should still be able to settle into a nice spot; its also where youll find Point Dume, a gigantic bluff that juts into the ocean. If youre a rock climber, get yourself to the top for a truly magical view.
Where to eat/drink: Any wonderful Malibu day needs to begin (or end) at Malibu Wines -- its the gold standard for day drinking in Los Angeles. The grounds are completely gorgeous, and the clientele even moreso. If youve got the cash to burn, grab dinner at Nobu for an omakase tasting menu experience you wont forget from perhaps LAs most storied chef.
A little farther up the coast from Oxnard sits Ventura Beach, a coastal town that somehow manages to retain a quiet and easygoing vibe despite its larger-than-a-town population -- the beaches are some of cleanest and loveliest youll find, especially Surfers Knoll. The surfing is extremely choice here, but even if you dont surf, the Knoll is a beautiful spot to lounge and even go beachcombing if thats your thing. Every summer you can get all up in the Ventura County Fair, too: its just like the county fairs you know and love, except its by the ocean, so its infinitely better. If youre a watersports maniac, kitesurfing and kiteboarding are big here. Oh yeah, and one more thing theres free parking. Nuff said.
Where to eat/drink: Spencer Makenzies Fish Company is an elite-level spot for cold beers and fish & chips (dont skip on the fish tacos either). Ventura is also home to the dog-friendly Poseidon Brewing, and its Grapefruit IPA is absolutely something you need in your life. For a Nepalese meal thatll rock your bones, make Himalaya a part of your trip. That Sherpa Curry Chicken is out of this world. And whatever you do, dont skip out on great tapas and even greater wine at local haunt The Cave.
Is Santa Monica touristy? Yes. Is it generally overpriced? Yes. Is it full of attractive people and also a fun roller coaster and Ferris wheel that you just cant hate no matter how hard you try? Also yes. The gorgeous water paired with gorgeous people present all along the beach is the number one thing Westsiders have on Eastsiders. Santa Monica also manages to be cleaner and all around more pleasant than the neighboring Venice, so just skip Venice. We wont tell.
Where to eat/drink: Start your day at Jimmys Famous American Tavern for a top-tier brunch that includes the legendary Meal Mary: a beastly bloody mary garnished with a blue cheese olive, pepperoni, jack cheese, shrimp, pepperoncini, and a deviled egg. Do your lunching at Curious Palate for some tasty sandwiches and a solid beer list, and make sure you end your day at Cha Cha Chicken: a BYOB Jamaican restaurant whose spicy jerk sauce is simply too delicious to be real. Chances are youve already been to Bay Cities for the Godmother -- a timeless front-runner for best sandwich in LA -- but if you havent, nows the time.
Rosies Dog Beach, were happy to say, is just what youre imagining it to be. Completely off-leash, youll find it in the Belmont Shore area of Long Beach. Rosies plays host to lots of fun dog events too, so any time youve ever received a Facebook invite for something like Corgi Beach Day, chances are it was at Rosies. Its for sure the only place where you can actually enjoy a wet dog.
Where to eat/drink: Long Beach, which is technically LA county, has a surprising number of grand slams in the eating and drinking department. Any craving for Mexican food should lead you to Lolas: its extremely hyped, but deservedly so because the food is terrific. If youre of the drinking on a rooftop persuasion (and lets be honest, who isnt?), Bo-beau Kitchen + Rooftopis for you: board games, live music, great beer, and impossibly crispy Brussels sprout flatbreads await.
The sunsets at Hermosa are nearly impossible to top, and you can catch them from the edge of the long pier -- take somebody you love, and we can confidently say things will go well. Hermosa Cyclery is a great place to start your day if youre in the mood to rent some bikes and enjoy the sea breeze. If youre a comedy or magic fan, Hermosa Beach also has the Comedy & Magic Club, where Jay Leno still makes regular Sunday night appearances.
Where to eat/drink: Hermosa Beach is riddled with top-notch food and drink, especially Barans 2239 (try the Indian Egg), and Palmilla Cocina Y Tequila (grab a cucumber jalapeo margarita). For a one-stop shop for all your various needs, hit Abigaile: the place starts as a brewery and restaurant downstairs, and turns into a rooftop dance rager upstairs.
Not to be outdone by Hermosa, Manhattan Beach will also showcase some crazy colors in the sunset department. Its not hard to fill up a day with activities here, what with the Marvin Braude Bike Trail, Polliwog Park (a superb place to disc golf), and Sand Dune Park, which is exactly what it sounds like. People use the huge hill for exercise, but you know whats more fun than exercise (besides everything)? Sandboarding.
Where to eat/drink: Manhattan Beach Post is a heavyweight brunch champion, with enough bacon cheddar biscuits and chimichurri skirt steak to defeat any hangover. Fishing With Dynamite is another must, thanks to what might be the best raw bar in the city.
The trip to Catalina begins with a ferry ride from Long Beach, which is always a winning start, and ends with a day on a beautiful island, which is always a winning finish. Since its an island, the beach is essentially in every direction, and you have prime real estate to set up shop anywhere and just lie on the sand. The Descanso Beach Club is a primo beach lounging spot, with rentable cabanas and a full bar. Theres plenty of more active stuff, too, like zip-lining with Zip Line Eco Tours, helicopter tours with Island Express Helicopters, and of course, dolphin-searching boat tours with Ocean Runner Dolphin Tours.
Where to eat/drink: Mt. Ada was once a palatial retreat owned by the Wrigley family, but now its been turned into a friendly little B&B; spend the night, and youll have access to a fully stocked butlers pantry with wine, beer, Champagne, hard liquor, and more. Oh, and you cant consider your Catalina trip a success unless youve had some Buffalo Milk, which is sort of a Catalina icon (its basically just an alcoholic milkshake). Find em at the Descanso Beach Club, or basically anywhere else.
Newport Beach is pretty much the quintessential Orange County beach: You can whale watch, peep some seals from the Newport Pier, and even go all Point Break on the waves during a storm at The Wedge. Fishermen/fisherwomen/fisherpeople are also in luck, as deep-sea fishing is a big deal in Newport -- and consequently, boat rentals are a big deal here as well, so get ready to start living that #yachtlife. Or, if all else fails, just take in the majesty of the place where they shot lots of Arrested Development.
Where to eat/drink: The food from Wildfish Seafood Grille has probably popped up in your Instagram feed at some point, but thats a good thing since the dishes are picturesque as hell, and even better tasting (be sure to order something from the raw bar). To amp up your nightlife experience, hit Johnnys Saloon: an outstanding dive bar with both a killer whiskey menu and some extremely dank pizza. Its pretty hard to top.
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Wilder Shaw is an LA native, which means he honestly just prefers camping in the woods. Tell him a what jabronie he is on Twitter and Instagram.
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July 16, 2017
5/ 5stars
July 12, 2017
4/ 5stars
Good experience but I go to the most expensive bed & the water spritzer has been out for over a month now. No one knows when it will be fixed. That was part of the reason I chose that bed.
July 11, 2017
5/ 5stars
The staff is always so friendly!
July 2, 2017
5/ 5stars
every one was very friendly and alwas very helpful
June 30, 2017
5/ 5stars
June 27, 2017
5/ 5stars
Always a pleasure tanning here. great beds and great employees.
June 17, 2017
5/ 5stars
Everyone is super nice and helpful!!
June 15, 2017
5/ 5stars
Always friendly and nice. Usually I am the only male in the place.
June 14, 2017
5/ 5stars
June 9, 2017
5/ 5stars
Great! I love the ladies at PBT in Conway
June 3, 2017
5/ 5stars
Friendly, helpful and clean.
May 28, 2017
5/ 5stars
I always have wonderful experience when I come here! I love this place
May 28, 2017
5/ 5stars
the Lady was very help full she walked me throu every thing and made sure I understood everything. cant wait to go back would tell all my friends.
May 25, 2017
5/ 5stars
May 24, 2017
5/ 5stars
Everyone is very friendly, never a long wait! Very clean! And jennifer always makes you feel like family!
May 23, 2017
5/ 5stars
Very helpful, offering of best services to different individuals.
May 23, 2017
5/ 5stars
Best manager and team! Everyone is friendly and willing to answer any question you may have.
May 17, 2017
5/ 5stars
Love my tanning salon .. girls are always nice and helpful . Only negative , there are a few girls who are to salesy ... I get tired of someone trying to sell me products every visit . If you can see that I just bought lotion , there is no need to tell me about your latest lotions that are " so great " .. ? Love the Manager Britta , she is fabulous !!
April 30, 2017
5/ 5stars
Very kind and helpful!
April 12, 2017
5/ 5stars
I LOVE the staff! They are so sweet! Also AWESOME beds and spray tan booths!
April 12, 2017
5/ 5stars
Palm Beach Tan has friendly staff and a convenient location so it's easy to tan on my lunch break. Wonderful lotion selection as well!
April 11, 2017
5/ 5stars
April 10, 2017
5/ 5stars
Friendly staff . Willingto show and help . An will explain in detail all bout each and everything to you.
March 29, 2017
5/ 5stars
The staff are always friendly and the beds are clean! Specifically Lydia and Jen and another girl that I can't think of her name... but they are the sweetest people even if I see them outside of pbt. They know my name and I enjoy coming in the see them!
March 27, 2017
5/ 5stars
I love PBT & all the employees that work at my location! They're always very helpful and insightful when I have questions and I feel are genuinely looking out for me, so that I get the best tan possible, when it comes to product recommendations.
March 19, 2017
5/ 5stars
Palm beach tanning is awesome ! I always have a relaxing time at both of them in Conway Arkansas
March 15, 2017
5/ 5stars
I love the staff!! They are always so helpful
March 15, 2017
5/ 5stars
The girls that work are always super friendly and helpful. The beds and rooms are always very clean and kept nice.
March 12, 2017
5/ 5stars
Excellent service! Very helpful with all of my questions.
February 24, 2017
4/ 5stars
Great, ckean, friendly place to tan. Appreciate the choice of locations, but I do wish the selection and quality of beds from one branch to the other would be more equal. One location's beds are much, much better than the other's.
February 24, 2017
5/ 5stars
Britta & Ashley are super at the salon on Donaghey in Conway AR
February 9, 2017
4/ 5stars
February 8, 2017
5/ 5stars
Everyone is always kind and helpful.
February 2, 2017
5/ 5stars
All the staff are amazing! I absolutely love the fun atmosphere when I walk through the door. It's a great feeling when PBT knows me by name and has casual convo about daily life.
January 29, 2017
5/ 5stars
January 18, 2017
5/ 5stars
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Recently, on Frances western coast, thousands of sponge-like balls have been appearing, strewn across 18 miles of beaches, from Boulogne-sur-Mer to Le Touquet. And no one seems to know where they are coming from.
The balls, which are not pieces of marine sponges, have disturbed locals, though officials have said that they are not toxic or dangerous.
According to BMFTV, a clean-up is now underway. The president of a French environmental organization telling the broadcaster that sponges smell like an oil product, and could be the scattered remains of some kind of building material.
Alternatively, as Gizmodo points out, the sponges could be the result of some minor environmental disaster: Sea foam created when water and air are bound together by some kind of human-generated stuff in the waters off the coastlike a detergent of some sort, or raw sewage.
Whatever it is, itll surely ruin your day at la plage.
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Mysterious, Yellow, Sponge-Like Globs Are Fouling French Beaches ... - Atlas Obscura
Baseball may be America's favorite summer pastime, but across the pond, a unique, no-hands sport reigns supremeand we're not talking about soccer.
Toe wrestlingyes, toe wrestlingis such a popular pastime in Northern England that there's an entire championship centered on this sport every summer. Since its inception in 1976, the Toe Wrestling Championship has taken the Derbyshire community near Manchester by storm.
The sport got its start when a group of friends at the Ye Olde Royal Oak Inn lamented England's lack of dominance in athleticsthey wanted a sport where Brits could reign supreme, and somehow, toe wrestling became the chosen activity. (Ripleys, however, notes that a Canadian visitor won the third annual championship, putting an early damper on the British preeminence of the sport.)
After 40 years and many toe tangos, the sport of toe wrestling continues to gain traction, even if the International Olympic Committee has refused to accept it as an official Olympic sport. Though it might not be a competition on the global stage, toe wrestling definitely attracts interest from around the world. Wendy Livingstone, general manager and events coordinator for Toe Wrestling Championship venue Bentley Brook Inn, notes she gets interest from various international media. In fact, one U.S. film company is shooting a mockup of the competition this summer with long-time champion Alan "Nasty" Nash.
Nash, known for his intimidating "strong man" physique and even more intimidating big toes, has made quite a name for himself in the toe wrestling space. According to ESPNwhich profiled him in 2011Nash won the title on his first try in 1994. Since then, he's won a dozen titles, including perhaps his most triumphant event in 1997 when he broke four toes in the semifinals, then popped them back in and took home the gold. The toe wrestling titles also led Nash to a stint on this year's Britains Got Talent show for his attempt to regain the title of "Most eggs crushed with the toes in one minute." (Spoiler: He succeeded.)
Toe wrestling is a competition between two participants. With their bare feet in a square ring, opponents sit on the floor, lock their big toes, and then battle in an arm-wrestle style to wrangle the others foot to the sideboard of the designated wrestling area. The art of toe wrestling is more skill than strength; opponents are required to keep non-competing feet in the air with hands flat on the ground.
Its a best-of-three competition that typically lasts one hour, and fear not: Toe hygiene is a priority. Nurses inspect all toes for fungus and hidden weapons prior to competition. Livingstone says they see about 10 to 30 participants annually. Winners move on through the bracket until the leaders go toe-to-toe in the final tournament.
To win at toe wrestling, Livingstone recommends developing those toe muscles however you can.
"The champion, Nasty Nash, invented his own 'toe exerciser' to make his toes the strongest!" she tells Mental Floss. (His exerciser essentially looks like a mini resistance band that he uses across his flexed big toes.)
But even Nash knows strength can only get him so far. He pairs strong toes with extreme intimidation to take home the victory.
"My technique ... is to hurt the first person that comes into the ring with me; hurt them bad and terrify everyone else," Nash told Reuters.
Speaking of injuries, the Toe Wrestling Championship is not for the frail. Livingstone notes in the past, toes have been broken (Nash broke nine as of 2012) and shes seen a few strained ankles. It also takes a toll on the back, so she advises those with back or spine issues to stay in the crowd.
Chomping at the bit to lock toes with a stranger? You're in luck. Participants can enter up until the day of for the August 19 Toe Wrestling Championship. There are two divisions: male and female. For those seeking pre-tournament prep, the Royal Oak Inn (the birthplace of toe wrestling) in Ashbourne, England, has a Toe Wrestling Charity Fundraising Event on July 15. Nash will be in attendance, and kids are also invited to put a toe in the ring with the 2017 Kids Championship.
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Sponge-Like Debris Is Washing Up on France's Beaches, and No One Knows What It Is - Mental Floss
How a little bird is keeping some Hilton Head residents off a big stretch of beach Island Packet (blog) A federally protected shorebird is at the center of a dispute between some Port Royal Plantation residents and Hilton Head town officials over access to a large chunk of beach. More than nine acres of beach encompassing the north end of the plantation ... |
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(Lou Russo, Townsquare Media NJ)
Its bad enough we have to pay to get on the beach in New Jersey, except for Wildwood and Atlantic City. To add insult to injury, we also have to pay to park. Nothing like fishing for quarters when youre finally lucky enough to get a space or dealing with a machine that simply wont take your cash while the line of people piles up behind you.
Many a time Ive come back to my car to find a ticket to add even more expense to my trip. NJ.com has printed a list of the beach towns most likely to give you a ticket while you are getting a tan. I would have bet Pt. Pleasant would be number one since I get the feeling that they really dont want you there in the first place, they came in sixth. To my surprise it was Asbury Park, a boardwalk I had such a great time at on July 3rd, that lead the way with 28,964 tickets issued in a one year period. Thats a 61% increase over the prior one year period followed by another great boardwalk where my boys and I were the first to ride Hydrus Seaside Heights came in second with 8,242 tickets.
It may be time to ask the governor if we could borrow his helicopter!
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Worst beaches for parking in New Jersey - New Jersey 101.5 FM Radio
HURON COUNTY Wagener County Park Beach has been deemed safe for swimming and is now open.
According to test results released Wednesday, the water there had 14.5 E Escherichia coli (E. coli) colonies per 100 ml. of water.
Local health officials on Tuesday closed the beach after test results found unsafe levels of E. coli.
According to information released by Environmental Health Director Tip MacGuire, Wagener County Park Beach had 517.2 Escherichia coli (E. coli) colonies per 100 ml. of water in samples taken Monday.
A Huron County beach is closed when a composite sample of the three samples collected in 3 to 6 feet of water exceed 300 E.Coli colonies per 100 ml of water.
Beaches are opened if bacteria counts improve to acceptable limits.
The beaches at Bird Creek County Park, Harbor Beach City Park, Jenks County Park, Veterans Village Park and Wagener County Park were tested Monday. The other eight beaches are scheduled to be tested Thursday.
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Calling all beach bums! If you're hitting the sandy shore of a lake or ocean this summer, then NASA has the video for you, one that stars stunning views of U.S. beaches from space.
"Summer is beach season in the Northern Hemisphere. But even if you're a regular at your local swimming hole, you probably haven't seen too many beaches from this perspective," Kathryn Hansen of NASA's Earth Observatory wrote in a video description. "This video from NASA Earth Observatory shows the satellite and space-station view of various shorelines across the United States. No sunblock necessary." [In Photos: The Best US Beaches of 2017]
The beach tour from space begins in Hawaii (because of course it would) and then moves across the U.S. with stops in Southern California, Central California, Idaho and Utah, Wisconsin, Michigan, Massachusetts, Virginia and North Carolina before ending up in Florida.
Hansen, who produced the video for NASA, used satellite imagery and data from the Landsat Earth observation program along with photos by astronauts on the International Space Station to create the beach tour.
Editor's note: Space.com senior producerSteve Spaletacontributed to this report.
Email Tariq Malik at tmalik@space.com or follow him@tariqjmalikandGoogle+.Follow us@Spacedotcom,FacebookandGoogle+.
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Hit the Beach! Stunning NASA Views Show US Shores from Space ... - Space.com
(FOX 11) - Beach goers in Oxnard may not be able to enjoy the sand and surf for the next few days.
The Ventura County Environmental Health Division was notified by the City of Oxnard of a sewage discharge. According to city staff, approximately 219,000 gallons of sewage was discharged through a line one mile out in the ocean.
The discharge was the result of a power outage at the treatment plant. The discharge ceased at approximately 3 PM on July 16, 2017.
The City of Oxnard staff posted warning signs at points along Ormond Beach and Port Hueneme Beach Park. The signs will remain in place on Ormond Beach until Wednesday, July 19, 2017 or until sample results meet ocean water quality standards.
The Environmental Health Division advises the public to avoid contact with water in the posted areas. Any items that may have come in contact with this water should also be avoided. If contact occurs, wash thoroughly with soap and water.
Any shellfish on or from this area may have also been exposed to this contamination and should not be eaten. All sports harvested shellfish are under quarantine and consumers should not eat certain types of seafood (recreationally harvested bivalve shellfish, such as mussels, clams or whole scallops, or the internal organs of lobster orrock crab) from the Ventura County coastline.
For further information regarding this incident, please contact the City of Oxnard at 805/488-3517.
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Sewage spill in Oxnard prompts closure of several beaches in the area - FOX 11 Los Angeles
Two of the six Monadnock Region beaches placed under environmental advisories last week have been reopened, according to the N.H. Department of Environmental Services' beach advisory database.
Advisories were removed at Wares Grove Town Beach in Chesterfield and Camping Beach in Greenfield Saturday. Both beaches were retested Friday, according to the N.H. Department of Environmental Services' database.
Between July 13 and 14, six local beaches were closed due to high levels of fecal bacteria: Wares Grove, Camping Beach and Picnic Beach in Greenfield, Island Pond Public Beach in Stoddard, Sunset Town Beach in Harrisville and East Washington Beach in Washington.
As of Monday afternoon, advisories had not yet been lifted for Picnic Beach, Sunset Town Beach, East Washington Beach or Island Pond Public Beach, according to the database.
Picnic Beach will be resampled Tuesday. Sunset Town Beach, East Washington Beach and Island Pond Beach will be resampled Wednesday.
New test results for each beach will be available the day after testing is completed.
According to the N.H. Department of Environmental Services website, fecal bacteria can be caused by birds frequently returning to an area looking for a food source, typically because they have been fed by humans. The website encourages beachgoers not to feed birds or other wildlife they may encounter.
When present in a body of water, fecal bacteria and other bacteria can cause swimmers to become ill, the website notes.
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Point Lookout, NY (Fox5NY) - The ocean is quick way to cool off on a hot and humid day like today - but along parts of Long Island's South Shore - slimy and smelly seaweed is spoiling it for some swimmers.
"It's wet and it's gross," said one swimmer.
Another one couldn't recall the last time it was this bad.
"I'm sinking down to my knees in it. It's bad I don't like it," said Rob Humphries who lives in Point Lookout.
Marine biologists say nitrogen coming from the Bay Park Sewage Treatment Plant fuels the growth of seaweed in the bay which then pushes into the ocean.
"The combination of the warm weather, the heavy nutrient loading from back in the bay and then the physical movement of the water and tides is accumulating large amounts on the beaches," said Marine Biologist Dr. Christopher Gobler with Stony Brook University.
Experts says dead seaweed that releases sulfide fumes can be dangerous because it causes irritation.
The Town of Hempstead says their beaches are cleaned twice a day. Meanwhile, Nassau County is working with the Bay Park Sewage Treatment Plant to remove nitrogen discharge altogether.
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St. Augustine's beaches stretch from Vilano Beach north of the city to Crescent Beach in the south. The Intracoastal Waterway naturally divides the mainland from the barrier islands with their miles of gorgeous coastline with many public areas for beach recreation and relaxation.
Among the things to do in our fair city, visiting St. Augustine's beaches are often at the top of the list. St Augustine's beaches provide a variety of options, from idyllic State Parks to public beaches only a block or two from restaurants. You can choose to spend a day at gorgeous, unspoiled Anastasia State Park, where no cars are allowed on the beach, or drive a bit farther south to St. Augustine Beach where cars are allowed in designated areas. When your day at the beach is done, be sure to check out the great local bars and restaurants that line A1A, "Beachfront Avenue."
Observe beach rules for safety and to preserve the natural habitats. Keep in mind that no alcohol or glass is allowed on the beach itself. Also, pets must be kept on a leash. Personal watercraft vehicles must be launched from area boat ramps and not directly from the beach.
St. Johns County has three wheelchairs specially designed to roll on the sand so that everyone in your family can experience the fun of the beach. Rentals are free and the county will even drop the chair off to you on the beach. Just call the St. Johns County Beach Services Department at(904) 209-0752 to request one of the three available chairs for your visit. They are given out on first come, first serve basis. You can choose delivery (applies to any beach in St. Johns County) or pick one up at 901 Pope Road, St. Augustine, FL 32080.
Crescent Beach is located in the southern area of St. Johns County. It is situated on Anastasia Island, a wildlife refuge. This beach offers a serene, natural setting and is a great place for beachcombers. It is one of the most scenic, unspoiled beaches in Florida. Crescent beach offers boating, diving, fishing, and many other attractions. It is convenient to excellent RV and camping facilities.
Location:Just south of the intersection at A1A and State Road 206 about 15 minutes south of historic downtown St. Augustine.
St. Augustine Beach is located on Anastasia Island where you can enjoy white sand beaches, the St. Johns County Pier, a playground, pavilion, fishing pier, volleyball courts, bait shops, fine restaurants, shopping and more. RV and cabin camping areas are located nearby. Vehicles are permitted on the beach within designated areas.
Location: Old A1A Beach Boulevard south of State Road 312 at the St. Johns County Pier, less than five minutes from downtown St. Augustine.
Anastasia State Recreation Park is a protected bird sanctuary and consists of 1,700-acres and five miles of beautiful, sandy beaches. It features swimming, lifeguards, a bath house, hiking, nature trails, a boat ramp, fishing, a volleyball court, beach equipment rentals such as umbrellas and beach chairs, canoes, nature trails, grills and picnic areas, concessions, a covered pavilion, gift shops, playgrounds, and camping. Vehicles are prohibited from driving on the beach in this area.
Location: 1340 A1A South between the St. Augustine Lighthouse and the Surf Station approximately one mile from the Bridge of Lions on Anastasia Island.Phone: (904) 461-2033.Hours and Admission fees: Hours are generally 8:00 am until sundown, unless camping overnight. Admission is $8.00 per vehicle. Limit 2-8 people per vehicle. $4.00 Single Occupant Vehicle. $2.00 Pedestrians, bicyclists, extra passengers, passengers in vehicle with holder of Annual Individual Entrance Pass.
This serene beach is a local "best-kept secret" offering a wide variety of vacation rentals, lodging, waterfront restaurants, the Vilano Beach Fishing Pier, parasailing and Sea Doo rentals and several parks. Be sure to visit Surfside Park, at 3070 Coastal Highway, and enjoy a picnic shelter, beach access and outside showers. You can charter a deep sea fishing boat or a sailboat from this area. Vehicles are permitted on the beach within designated areas.
Location: North A1A just over the Usina Bridge, less than five minutes from historic downtown St. Augustine.
North Beach offers a serene oceanside environment and two campsites. Enjoy the ocean and the Intracoastal waterway. North Beach features great seafood restaurants, boat ramps, a picnic area with grills, restrooms and showers.
Location: North A1A just past Vilano Beach, approximately five minutes from downtown St. Augustine.
South Ponte Vedra Beach is located in northern St. Johns County and just south of Ponte Vedra, which is home base for the PGA Tour, the Players Championship each spring, and the Association of Tennis Professionals Tour. You'll find many resorts, upscale shopping opportunities and parks. However, beach access is limited and no vehicles are permitted on the beaches.
Location: North A1A about 20 minutes from downtown St. Augustine.
Guana River State Park is a 2,000 acre sanctuary for endangered species. Recreational activities are many and varied. It features two public beach access facilities, consisting of parking lots and associated dune crossover boardwalks, along a 4.2 mile stretch of otherwise undeveloped beach on the Atlantic Ocean. Swimming, sunbathing, surfing, fishing, shelling and other traditional beach activities are enjoyed here. Pets are prohibited on the beach, but are allowed in other areas of the park on a six-foot, handheld leash. There are no overnight camping facilities or developed picnic areas. For a calendar of events or more information, visit their web site.
Location: 2690 S. Ponte Vedra Boulevard,Ponte Vedra Beach, approximately 20 minutes north of St. Augustine on A1A.Phone: (904) 825-5071.Hours: 8:00am until sundown all year long
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Beaches Resorts include all the fun, adventure and luxury that families want most, elevating the family vacation to world-class standards on the Caribbean's best beaches. With locations in Turks & Caicos and Jamaica, Beaches Resorts offer something for everyone.
Beaches brings families together, enabling parents, grandparents and kids to reconnect with each other, far removed from the stress of everyday life. And that is the true luxury: Time to appreciate each other, to refresh relationships, and to rediscover all the things you love about one another.
Beaches offers a comprehensive scuba diving program, including the Caribbean's largest PADI certification program and age-specific dive programs for kids. And even if you've never dived before, our resort course will have you experiencing a wild, new, underwater world by the very next day. If you're already a certified diving enthusiast, you can enjoy up to two dives each day.
Beaches offers everything tweens and teens want, too, including private hangouts like Trench Town, with everything from hoops to foosball; non-stop reggae jams at Club Liquid the teen nightclub; an unlimited play Game Garage; and programs like Scratch DJ Academy, where kids can learn how to mix, blend and scratch on vinyl, CDs or digitally.
Unique Caribbean treatments incorporate exotic tropical ingredients, such as coconut, raw cane sugar and Blue Mountain coffee, to create island regiments that will allow you to renew and rejuvenate.
Honeymoon packages and vow renewals are available for newlyweds and couples celebrating anniversaries.
MLT30981
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Ballenas is one of the few beaches in Puerto Rico where the focus isn't on spending time sunning yourself on the sand, sipping cool drink and watching people play in the water. This beach has something entirely different and more magical to offer.
Boqueron is lined with more than a mile of soft white sand and has the clearest turquoise water. Although this beach is generally very calm and tranquil, it becomes quite crowded and festive on weekends, especially in the summer holidays .
Caa Gorda a lovely stretch of beach situated not far from the Guanica Forest Reserve so you can not only enjoy the wonders of marine life, but head a little inland to make the most of this forested wonderland. This stretch of coast features plenty of caves and coves which you can explore to your heart's content.
Crashboat is situated nearby the town of Aguadilla and has a fantastic Mediterranean feeling. Although the beach is not really suitable for swimming, the people of Aguadilla often come here to relax in the sun or unwind in the shade of the many palm trees that line the shore and sway in the breeze.
Flamenco has been dubbed the "best beach in America" and the "best escape beach" by relevant authorities. A mile or so of striking white coral sand is juxtaposed by turquoise waters and well covered hills. But this beach offers more than the best stretch of coast in Puerto Rico - it offers an atmosphere of solitude.
Isla Verde is a place were people meet with family and friends to share their picnic snacks, read their favorite books and just soak up the sun. The more adventurous people go parasailing, waterskiing, surfing and body boarding - all of which are offered by the hotels and local merchants.
Luquillo is one of Puerto Rico's most famous and most visited tourist attractions. The view from the beach is spectacular. It features a long gold crescent of sand lined by innumerable coconut palms with the hazy mountains of the rainforest soaring in the distance.
Punta Santiago is an amazing stretch of beach located near Humacao. It is here where the mountains meet an amazing stretch of coastline that there are many natural wonders to be found. Punta Santiago is a beach well worth visiting just to spend time getting in touch with nature.
Rincon Bay hosted a World Surfing Championship Competition in 1968 and has since been garnered with the title "The Surfing Capital of the Caribbean". A number of international surfers have challenged the fast and furious waves of Rincon and it has become a massive expatriate subculture.
Seven Seas beach is popular mainly because of the many enjoyable holiday activities that it has to offer. You can soak up sun on the pristine sand, snorkel the shallows, or take advantage of the good winds and do a little windsurfing or sailing.
Shacks Beach is situated on the western tip of the Island. Here, the vast waters of the Atlantic and the Caribbean meet to provide some stunning beaches and idyllic winds. Shacks beach may be one of many fine beaches in the area, but it has a reason to stand out on its own.
Sun Bay is a beach that is not only beautiful but it has interesting things to explore as well. Sun Bay is geographically part of the Virgin Islands and is politically part of Puerto Rico. For most inhabitants Sun Bay is just Sun Bay, but for tourists it is a place of extreme tranquility and utmost beauty.
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There are a lot of things that keep families and visitors coming back to Gulf Shores and Orange Beach year after year, but one thing is for sure: beaches top the list. Clear turquoise waters and white-sand beaches are as fun to play and relax on, as they are breathtaking. The 32 miles of Alabama's white-sand beaches are made almost entirely from quartz grains washed down the Appalachian Mountains thousands of years ago. The sand is so soft, it even squeaks under your feet. There's no shortage of places to plant your beach umbrella. Orange Beach and Gulf Shores public beaches are each unique and offer a different experience. Whether you seek a quiet spot to read or a lively game of beach volleyball, there's a beach for everyone.Try them all and see which fits you best.
Plan your next vacation to Alabama's spectacularwhite-sand beaches. Order an Orange Beach and Gulf Shores vacation guide and start planning today! Stay in the know on Gulf Coast happenings. Sign up for our monthly E-Tidings Alabama Gulf Coast Newsletter.
14 listings found.
12295 State Hwy.180 W. Gulf Shores, AL36542
The Refuge is open year-round for hiking, fishing, wildlife observation and photography. Discover some of Alabama's last remaining undisturbed coastal habitat. Office hours: 9a.m. - 2 p.m., M-F. Refuge is open from Dusk till Dawn.
27853 Perdido Beach Blvd Orange Beach, AL36561
Located just .3 miles east of Perdido Pass Bridge,Alabama Point Eastoffers more than 6,000 feet of wide beach, sand dunes, boardwalks, picnic areas, restrooms, and outdoor showers. Parking is free.
24522 Perdido Beach Blvd. Orange Beach, AL36561
This beach area - with a limited amount of free parking - is easy to get to. It's perfect for a quick beach stroll or an impromptu picnic. It's located 6.8 miles east of Highway 59. Future plans call for restrooms and outdoor showers, but currently there aren't any.
1660 West Beach Blvd Gulf Shores, AL36542
Lagoon Pass is a shallow waterway connecting Little Lagoon to the Gulf, 2.9 miles west of Highway 59. It offers restrooms, an outdoor shower and water fountain on site, with paid parking on the northeast side of the Lee Callaway Bridge. $5 for up to four hours or $10 all day.
499 West Beach Blvd Gulf Shores, AL36542
This is a pedestrian crossing beach access only, which is perfect if you're staying in a property nearby.
599 West Beach Blvd Gulf Shores, AL36542
Located five blocks west of Highway 59, you can park on the north side and walk the boardwalk to the beach, or on the south side beside Bahama Bob's.
699 West Beach Blvd Gulf Shores, AL36542
Located six blocks west of Highway 59, you can park and walk the boardwalk to the beach. An outdoor shower makes it handy to spray off before you hop back in your car. The 6th Street access offers a handicapped-accessible restroom and parking is free.
* All information contained in our database is supplied by the individual businesses to the AGCCVB for inclusion on our web site and in printed materials. Read More
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July 16, 2017 10:15 PM By Ava-joye Burnett
BALTIMORE (WJZ) Ocean City is investing millions to replenish its beaches of sand that has washed away.
Ava-joye Burnett explains why city leaders say this is about much more than just pumping in sand.
The beach is at the center of Ocean Citys economy, but after a major noreaster went up the coast in 2016, the city is having to replenish one of its prime resources.
Sand is washing away in Ocean City, as officials say the level of erosion is so concerning.
Theyve decided to pump in more sand to replenish the beach a full year before its normal cycle.
Experts blame the expedited erosion on the record setting nor easter in January of 2016, which dumped snow west of the bay.
But caused persistent winds and high tide eastward in Ocean City.
So where a hurricane comes through and hits you and leaves, a nor easter, why its not as severe, it hangs around for a longer time and thats what Jonas was for us, says Terry McGean, Ocean City Engineer.
According to Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan, the project in Ocean City could prevent more than $900-million in damages to ocean front properties.
From those properties, the taxes and the tourist industry, it is significant, so if there was ever a poster child for beach replenishment, Ocean City is it, says Mayor Meehan.
So this fall, engineers will start pumping in the sand to shore up the beach, but only closing about three blocks at a time.
According to our media partner the Baltimore Sun, the 900,000 cubic yards of sand which is enough to fill about 300 Olympic-sized pools will cost $12.7 million.
The citys engineer will work with the Army Corp of Engineers to complete this project.
What happens is we become then more and more susceptible to storm damage, so you can consider the dune and the beach, thats out levy system in Ocean City, says McGean.
The mayor says the project will happen off peak season, so thats after Labor Day this year, and before next summer.
City officials say funding for this project will come from multiple sources.
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Ava-joye Burnett joined WJZ Eyewitness News in January of 2016 as a general assignment reporter. Prior to joining WJZ, Ava-joye worked at WRIC-TV in Richmond, Va. as a reporter and anchor. Ava-joye started her reporting career in Hagerstown, Md....
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Ocean City Spending Millions To Protect Beaches From Erosion - CBS Baltimore / WJZ