Community Forum

Randi · 01-05-2010, 09:05 AM

The beach at the Surf Club had instituted a new rule that no Bimini chairs (those are the ones with the roofs on them) could go past the third row of huts. This actually worked out very well as it did allow more room for more lounges and the Bimini's didn't go flying all over the beach due to the wind.

However this year a whole new concept developed on the beach.... large canopied tents! This was troubling as there were about ten tents and unless something is done, I fear more will arrive next year. Here is the situation:

The tents get put up and they stay there for the duration of the stay. Many are attached to a tree which has/could be used by someone who would like a little shade and can't/don't get a hut. This in a sense is like a permanent reservation while the rest of us have to go down every morning and find a space for chairs. Some people started renting umbrellas which I don't have a problem with as they are taken out daily and that makes each day "fair game" as far as getting your area on the beach.

I was told by a "very reliable source" that the tents do need a permit from the government. When the government person was asked to come and issue permits originally they agreed but then said no once they heard there were ten tents to issue permits to. In addition, the police said they wouldn't be checking that the tents were removed nightly!

I worry that once people figure this out the beach will be over run with tents which makes things difficult and unfair to the rest of the beach users. While I certainly understand the issue of shade and not a lot of huts, the SC has lots of Bimini's to use and the huts/Palapas also take up a lot of space at the beach which minimizes the area for the rest of the people to use the beach.

*Andrea J.* · 01-05-2010, 09:45 AM

on sections of eagle beach, during holy week, lots of those tent like things are set up.
the width of eagle beach is so wide that it is a non issue there.
up there on marriott's section of palm beach, it is not terribly wide so i can see that it would be an issue to some.

all beaches in aruba are public and it is my opinion that if folks want to set up one of those tent like things, they should have to take it down at the end of the day.

Randi · 01-05-2010, 10:27 AM

I totally agree with that. I wouldn't have an issue if the tents went up and down daily.

Linda VH · 01-05-2010, 12:17 PM

Ah but the tents on Eagle Beach (they are next to Costa Linda in the tree area) are by permit only during Holy Week. Govt. issued permits. Same for Baby Beach. This is nuts! I would be very upset if I was a Surf Club owner.

danadog56 · 01-05-2010, 12:35 PM

do not understand why the police would not make sure the tents are taken down, for that matter I don't know why the surf club would allow members to put them up and leave them so others can't use the trees for shade...I know it's a public beach but you would think they have some kind of authority for that...

Randi · 01-05-2010, 01:10 PM

The beaches are public and the SC has no authority over what is going on or being put on the beaches. All they do is provide the chairs and huts. The tents are out of their control. What I was told was that the police are not interested in enforcing the "tents" being taken down every night. Actually, all they would have to do is enforce it one or two nights and the issue would be resolved. Again, I believe this is an issue during the busy weeks (as in Christmas and New Year's, perhaps some others like President's week and spring break) as beach space and Palapas/huts are such an issue for people at this time. T

If the police would enforce this, then the SC could just inform guests that a permit is needed for the tents and that the tents need to be taken down daily (I believe even with the permits the tents need to come down daily but I am not 100% about that) and I think the problem would be solved.

As an aside, some of these tents do not hold up to the strong winds. One of the tents broke and they strung a piece of cord connected to a brick to secure it. Not only was this dangerous for someone walking it also took up even more space as it had to be angled away from the structure.

malbols · 01-05-2010, 01:15 PM

hmmmm - i'm sure the tents would come down if the tents were ACCIDENTALLY damaged during the night .

01-05-2010, 09:05 AM	#1 (permalink)
Randi Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 1,483 Images: 9	the beach/tents and the government The beach at the Surf Club had instituted a new rule that no Bimini chairs (those are the ones with the roofs on them) could go past the third row of huts. This actually worked out very well as it did allow more room for more lounges and the Bimini's didn't go flying all over the beach due to the wind. However this year a whole new concept developed on the beach.... large canopied tents! This was troubling as there were about ten tents and unless something is done, I fear more will arrive next year. Here is the situation: The tents get put up and they stay there for the duration of the stay. Many are attached to a tree which has/could be used by someone who would like a little shade and can't/don't get a hut. This in a sense is like a permanent reservation while the rest of us have to go down every morning and find a space for chairs. Some people started renting umbrellas which I don't have a problem with as they are taken out daily and that makes each day "fair game" as far as getting your area on the beach. I was told by a "very reliable source" that the tents do need a permit from the government. When the government person was asked to come and issue permits originally they agreed but then said no once they heard there were ten tents to issue permits to. In addition, the police said they wouldn't be checking that the tents were removed nightly! I worry that once people figure this out the beach will be over run with tents which makes things difficult and unfair to the rest of the beach users. While I certainly understand the issue of shade and not a lot of huts, the SC has lots of Bimini's to use and the huts/Palapas also take up a lot of space at the beach which minimizes the area for the rest of the people to use the beach. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook __________________ Randi Next Aruba trip in

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01-05-2010, 09:45 AM	#2 (permalink)
Andrea J. Aruba since 1979 Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: renaissance island, eagle beach, amsterdam manor beach bar, alto vista chapel, cooks restaurant, madam janettes, big porch at B55 Posts: 12,026 Images: 74	on sections of eagle beach, during holy week, lots of those tent like things are set up. the width of eagle beach is so wide that it is a non issue there. up there on marriott's section of palm beach, it is not terribly wide so i can see that it would be an issue to some. all beaches in aruba are public and it is my opinion that if folks want to set up one of those tent like things, they should have to take it down at the end of the day. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook

01-05-2010, 10:27 AM	#3 (permalink)
Randi Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 1,483 Images: 9	I totally agree with that. I wouldn't have an issue if the tents went up and down daily. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook __________________ Randi Next Aruba trip in

01-05-2010, 12:17 PM	#4 (permalink)
Linda VH Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 255	Ah but the tents on Eagle Beach (they are next to Costa Linda in the tree area) are by permit only during Holy Week. Govt. issued permits. Same for Baby Beach. This is nuts! I would be very upset if I was a Surf Club owner. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook

01-05-2010, 12:35 PM	#5 (permalink)
danadog56 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: everywhere and anywhere Posts: 1,619 Images: 13	do not understand why the police would not make sure the tents are taken down, for that matter I don't know why the surf club would allow members to put them up and leave them so others can't use the trees for shade...I know it's a public beach but you would think they have some kind of authority for that... Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook __________________ Okay, so here we go again,,,,,,10 months and counting.....

01-05-2010, 01:10 PM	#6 (permalink)
Randi Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 1,483 Images: 9	The beaches are public and the SC has no authority over what is going on or being put on the beaches. All they do is provide the chairs and huts. The tents are out of their control. What I was told was that the police are not interested in enforcing the "tents" being taken down every night. Actually, all they would have to do is enforce it one or two nights and the issue would be resolved. Again, I believe this is an issue during the busy weeks (as in Christmas and New Year's, perhaps some others like President's week and spring break) as beach space and Palapas/huts are such an issue for people at this time. T If the police would enforce this, then the SC could just inform guests that a permit is needed for the tents and that the tents need to be taken down daily (I believe even with the permits the tents need to come down daily but I am not 100% about that) and I think the problem would be solved. As an aside, some of these tents do not hold up to the strong winds. One of the tents broke and they strung a piece of cord connected to a brick to secure it. Not only was this dangerous for someone walking it also took up even more space as it had to be angled away from the structure. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook __________________ Randi Next Aruba trip in Last edited by Randi; 01-05-2010 at 01:12 PM.

01-05-2010, 01:15 PM	#7 (permalink)
malbols Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 14	hmmmm - i'm sure the tents would come down if the tents were ACCIDENTALLY damaged during the night . Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook