There are two types of Costa Blanca beach goers in summer.
Those who wander onto the beach at around 11:00 carrying a towel, a paperback and the vague hope of finding somewhere to sit.
And those who treat securing a front-row spot by the sea like an Olympic event.
Torrevieja has once again proved that the competition is getting fiercer. This year, the first beach umbrella appeared on Playa del Cura at the wonderfully ridiculous time of 05:34. Not sunrise. Not breakfast time. Five-thirty-four in the morning.
According to Proyecto Mastral’s webcam, someone had already claimed prime beachfront real estate while most of us were still arguing with the snooze button.
To be fair, there is something magical about being close to the water. Whether you are at the beach or around a pool, nobody really wants to spend the day staring at the backs of six rows of umbrellas.
We all secretly hope for that perfect spot where you can hear the waves, keep an eye on the children and cool off with a ten-second stroll into the sea.
But where do we draw the line?
Setting an alarm before dawn to stake your claim feels less like a relaxing day out and more like preparing for a military exercise. Somewhere in Torrevieja, there was probably someone whispering, “Go, go, go!” while loading folding chairs into the boot before the birds had even started singing.
You have to admire the dedication. The logistics alone deserve recognition. Umbrella? Check. Cool box? Check. Beach trolley? Check. Sense of perspective? Possibly left at home.
Of course, the early bird gets the beachfront view. The rest of us arrive later, shake our heads in disbelief and mutter, “Who on earth gets here this early?” before squeezing ourselves into the last remaining patch of sand next to the bins.
Perhaps that’s the real charm of a Costa Blanca summer. The sea is the same for everyone, but the journey to the shoreline is a very personal one.
As for me, if I have to choose between the front row and an extra few hours in bed, I’ll happily settle for the second line. The sea will still be there when I wake up.
