Vacationing on Alabama’s Gulf Coast requires a very particular set of skills. You won’t find these events on TV, and no one’s handing out gold medals, but there are a few beach-day challenges that deserve a little recognition if you ask us.

From hauling enough beach gear to outfit a small army to defending your lunch from an overly confident seagull, every Gulf Coast vacation comes with its own set of unofficial competitions. The good news? (Or bad news, depending on who you ask.) Everyone gets drafted onto the team.

So lace up your flip-flops. Here’s your official event guide, along with a few strategies for bringing home the gold.

Event #1: The One-Trip Beach Gear Challenge

Every family has that one person who insists they’re making one trip from the condo to the beach. Somehow, they’re balancing four chairs, an umbrella, a cooler, two beach bags, three boogie boards, a wagon, and a bucket of sand toys hanging from one finger. We’ve all watched it happen and quietly wondered if they’re actually going to pull it off.

Pro Tip: A sturdy beach wagon is worth every penny. Pack the heavier items first, keep towels and toys on top, and don’t be afraid to recruit a few extra helping hands. Vacation is supposed to be relaxing, not a test of upper-body strength.

Event #2: The Speed Sunscreen Sprint

We can probably all agree that sunscreen is important…right up until it’s time to put it on.

That’s usually when at least one child announces they’re ready for the water, another insists, “I already did it!” and suddenly you’re trying to cover moving targets before they make a full sprint toward the Gulf. If you’ve ever chased a child across the sand with a bottle of sunscreen in your hand, you know exactly what we’re talking about.

Pro Tip: Apply sunscreen before leaving your condo whenever possible. It gives it time to absorb, saves you from chasing slippery kids across the sand, and usually means fewer missed spots at the end of the day.

Event #3: The Parking Pursuit

If your beach day starts at a public beach access, congratulations…you’re officially competing in one of the Gulf Coast’s most challenging events.

During the summer, parking fills up fast. Before long, you’ll find yourself slowly cruising the lot, hoping to spot reverse lights before someone else does. Finding an open space can feel like a victory all by itself.

The good news is that a little strategy goes a long way. Heading to the beach earlier in the morning or later in the afternoon can make finding a spot much easier, especially at the busiest public accesses.

Of course, many BEACHBALLERS skip this event altogether. One of the biggest perks of staying in a BEACHBALL property is that many of our homes and condos are right on the beach or just a short walk away, so you can spend less time searching for parking and more time with your toes in the sand.

Event #4: The Seagull Survival Challenge

Some beach visitors arrive with coolers. Others arrive with wings.

If you’ve ever eaten lunch on the beach, you’ve probably had a run-in with a seagull or two. They have an uncanny ability to appear the moment a bag of chips is opened, and they rarely travel alone.

As tempting as it may be to toss them a snack, it’s a decision you (and your beachside neighbors) will probably regret. The easiest way to keep them at a distance is also the simplest: don’t feed them. It helps protect local wildlife and makes lunchtime much more enjoyable for everyone on the beach.

And the Gold Medal Goes To…

Truth be told, there’s only one medal worth bringing home: great vacation memories.

The beach gear eventually gets unpacked, the sunscreen washes off, and the parking lot becomes someone else’s problem. What sticks with you are the sunsets, the laughter, and the days that somehow seemed to fly by a little too fast.

And for our quick-scan BEACHBALLERS, here’s the Breakdown:

• A good beach wagon deserves MVP status.
• Sunscreen before the beach beats sunscreen on the beach.
• Early mornings make parking much easier.
• Feed your family, not the seagulls.

When you’re ready to train for your own Gulf Coast Olympics, BEACHBALL PROPERTIES is here to give BEACHBALLERS the perfect home base between beach days, family adventures, and all those unforgettable moments that deserve a gold medal of their own.

Come Have A Ball At The Beach!

– Ginger & Hunter Harrelson