A while back, we decided to throw caution to the wind and spend an extended period away from our beloved New Zealand home.
(Don’t worry — Design Withdrawals still operates under our guidance from afar.)
We based ourselves in southern Spain, and like any self-respecting beach people, we thought we had the setup nailed.
Low-rise deck chairs ✔
A decent chilly bin ✔
A questionable stack of trashy novels ✔
A good-sized UV beach umbrella ✔
We were ready.
The perfect beach… with one fatal flaw
After quickly learning the art of early arrival — set up by 10am to secure our spot right at the water’s edge — we’d smugly watch the pre-lunch crowds gather around us as the beach slowly filled.
But there was a problem.
Our prime, high-tide position meant damp sand, and damp sand turns out to be a terrible ally when you’re trying to keep a beach umbrella upright.
Before long, our setup stood out — and not in a good way.
Ours was the only canopy suffering from what can only be described as… erectile dysfunction.
When in doubt, watch the locals
After one too many re-erections (and some creative early attempts involving deck chairs, drawstrings from boardies, and sheer optimism), we did what you always should: watched what the locals were doing.
That’s when we noticed something interesting.
Every Spanish umbrella was anchored with a simple screw-in beach anchor — something that, for reasons we still can’t explain, just doesn’t seem to be part of Kiwi beach culture.
God knows why.
They’re:
- Light
- Cheap
- Ridiculously effective
And once you’ve used one, you’ll wonder how you ever went without it.
A small thing that makes beach days better
Ours lives tethered to the umbrella bag now — part of the permanent beach kit.
Not quite as important as the chilly bin…
But vastly better than trussing an umbrella pole to a deck chair like some sort of sun-baked engineering experiment.
Twist it into the sand, slot the umbrella in, and that’s it.
Steadfast. Secure. No drama.
From Spain to New Zealand
After nine months of coastal living, this little anchor had earned its place — so we brought them back with us.
They’re now available at Design Withdrawals, with prompt NZ shipping, because some good ideas deserve to travel.
You’ll never look back.
(Or up — because your umbrella will still be exactly where you left it.)
