Umbrellas

lebarondescarteun · Post by **lebarondescarteun** » Fri Feb 23, 2007 7:56 am

I noticed that some people use umbrellas as small shade refuge.I've got one of those patio umbrellas that has the cement stand that it slips into.Would something like that be worth bringing? As you can see this is all new to me and I'm trying to be really prepared for this!

Teo del Fuego · Post by **Teo del Fuego** » Fri Feb 23, 2007 8:23 am

only if you keep it shut at all times you are not actually under it. The first windstorm that catches it open will turn it into a piece of really dangerous tumbleweed.

Rocket75377 · Post by **Rocket75377** » Fri Feb 23, 2007 9:18 am

[quote="Teo del Fuego"]only if you keep it shut at all times you are not actually under it. The first windstorm that catches it open will turn it into a piece of really dangerous tumbleweed.[/quote]

Hmmm.... a really dangerous tumbleweed? I smell an art project. Barbed wire, perhaps...

MikeVDS · Post by **MikeVDS** » Sat Feb 24, 2007 5:58 am

You'd want to keep them down when you're not using them. Even if they are closed, it's likely the wind could still take them. I have not see many of them.

Sometimes it's hard to remember to pack up camp when you're drunk and if you wait 5 seconds or more to pack up you'll have missed something. I always like to be ready to get up and go.

Hoolie · Post by **Hoolie** » Sun Feb 25, 2007 5:47 pm

This page has a picture of umbrellas held down with guylines. I still wouldn't use them for shade because of the aforementioned wind issues.

diane o'thirst · Post by **diane o'thirst** » Mon Feb 26, 2007 12:20 am

Don't depend on it. Last year's winds smashed and tore my patio umbrella to flinders and rags. And this was Olefin.

Like every other structure, it's fine until the winds hit. Some structures survive better than others but umbrella-based structures tend to deteriorate rapidly and catastrophically. As soon as you feel or see a windstorm coming, lower that sucker!

robotland · Post by **robotland** » Mon Feb 26, 2007 6:01 am

Beach umbrellas have become flimsy over the years, alas. I snatch the "old school" types from curbside pickup or thrift stores when I see 'em, and replace the heavy, crumbly vinyl covers with scraps of shadecloth. Obviously they don't do much for keeping the rain off, but it's functional shade and much less likely to take flight. (They also make great poseable robot elbows!)
I just recently spotted a clever beach anchor for umbrellas while in Florida on a GOOP science mission- It was a metal tube with a spiral screw bottom, and setscrew to hold the 'brolley. Not sure how well it'd penetrate playa, but there was potential there...