The picture above are umbrellas owned by the city of North Myrtle Beach that were flying around during a pop up storm. Between 2009 and 2018, 32,764 umbrella-related injuries were reported throughout the country. In North Myrtle Beach between May 15 and September 15, you may only bring round umbrellas with a center pole that is no more than 7 feet, 6 inches tall. It can be no larger than 9 feet in diameter. These are incredibly hazardous as many don’t secure them and they go flying towards unsuspecting beach goers resulting in serious injuries and sometimes death. 

Shibumi type shades are safer, lighter and easier to setup. They fold up small enough to carry in your beach bag and are easier for physically challenged to carry. If they become uprooted from the sand they fall flat to the ground instead of catching wind and flying away. The new Shibumi’s are now quieter with the new and improved fabric and come in a mini size taking up no more room then a umbrella. The argument that they are a distraction to lifeguards is eliminated if placed behind lifeguard chairs and pose no bigger obstruction than a hazardous beach umbrella.

Please sign this petition to make our beaches safer. Let’s work together to get city leadership to permit safer options for us and the thousands who visit our beach every summer.