Every summer, college students flock to the beach on weekends and holidays after working long hours at jobs and internships. They reunite with their friends from home and school to relax, socialize and make new memories. Here are some fun activities to do and places to go for the summer of 2014.
Kicking off Summer, Memorial Day Weekend
Figawi, Cape Cod and Nantucket, Mass.: Figawi is a regatta that kicks off the summer season. Hundreds of people travel to the Cape and Nantucket on the weekend of May 23 to watch the race and celebrate the beginning of summer. The race begins Saturday morning at the Hyannis Port Jetty as teams compete to be the first one to reach Nantucket Harbor. On Saturday and Sunday night Figawi throws huge parties on North Whale Street in Nantucket. If you can make it out to Nantucket for Figawi, its a great way to start the summer!
Jersey Shore, N.J.: While many New Englanders start their summers off at Figawi, residents of New Jersey and Pennsylvania go “down the shore.” Memorial Day weekend at the Jersey Shore includes a “Food Truck War” where you can sample food from New Jersey’s best food trucks, the opening day of Breakwater Beach Waterpark in Seaside Heights, parades and fireworks on the beach.
June
Triple-S Invitational, Cape Hatteras, N.C.: Love extreme watersports? Kiteboarding is a combination of surfing, wakeboarding, gymnastics and windsurfing, and the Triple-S Invitational is the world’s biggest kiteboarding competition. Kiteboarders compete in three events (Surf, Slicks, and Sliders) to win the Overall Triple-S Crown. This weeklong competition runs from May 31 to June 6 and features nightly beach parties and band performances. All events are open to the public. If you want to take a break from watching kiteboarders, Cape Hatteras also has beautiful beaches great for kayaking.
July and August
Fourth of July Weekend: One of the most popular ways to spend the Fourth of July is at the beach. In San Diego, Pacific and Mission Beaches are popular during the day, with many beachgoers attending the San Diego County Fair at night, which features rides and live music. The night ends with the region’s biggest fireworks display, the Big Bay Boom. Navy Pier in Chicago has two beaches within walking distance, free live music, street entertainers and a firework display set to music. Myrtle Beach is also a great spot to celebrate the Fourth. This South Carolina city has a boardwalk, waterpark and amusement park. On the day of the fourth, the city hosts a boat parade. At night, people often eat barbeque on the beach while watching fireworks.
Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, Chincoteague, Va.: Chincoteague is a tiny island in Virginia with unique and abundant wildlife and beautiful beaches. The refuge has trails for easy hiking and guided programs about the area’s cultural history and wildlife. On the last Wednesday in July, Chincoteague hosts the annual Pony Swim, where Chincoteague ponies swim to the island from neighboring Assateague Island and are put in pens so some of the foals can be auctioned off the following day. Chincoteague’s low-key vibe makes it the perfect place for a relaxing weekend getaway.
International Surf Festival, Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach, Torrance, Calif.: If you’re lucky enough to be spending the summer in Los Angeles, this five-day festival takes place on beaches just outside Los Angeles. The International Surf Festival runs from July 30 to August 3, and events include lifeguard competitions, a two-mile swim, volleyball tournaments, surfing, bodysurfing and paddleboarding championships, a two-mile beach run and sand soccer tournaments. The International Surf Festival attracts people from around the world and is a blast to participate in and watch!
If you can’t make it to any of these fun beach events this summer, feel free to create your own! Sometimes the best days of the summer are spontaneous trips to the beach with a few friends.