TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Umbrellas at Club O

So, it seems to be pretty winding on the island these days and I'm thinking of bringing an umbrella for our days we spend at other beaches.
That being said, is it acceptable to rent chairs at Club O and use our own umbrella?
If so, will we have to move to the 2nd or 3rd row? Not being cheap but really need the shade and have been at Club O in the past and they will close the umbrellas if it is too windy. If it is my own I thinking we can position it lower in the sand to give me the shade I need. If it isn't too windy than I'd prefer to leave our umbrella at our rental and rent the Club O one.
Thoughts?

Seems like a lot of trouble to carry your own umbrella with you. The only reason that I could think of with Club O not letting you use your own in very windy conditions is that it could be a safety concern if it blew out of the sand. Otherwise I don't know why they wouldn't let you. I've been there when they blew away and you don't want to get in their way when they are blowing around. You could get stabbed by the pole or pummeled by the umbrella.

We used to do the opposite and bring our chairs and rent an umbrella with no problem BUT always sat in the back. I would imagine it would be the same with your own umbrella, you would not be allowed in the front.

That being said,we just returned from an extended stay and it was very windy but they never closed the umbrellas. In the past it was when a squall of rain came through that the Club O umbrellas would be closed.

I am not sure what type of umbrella you would have, but I'm thinking the Club O umbrella would be more sturday and able to handle the winds better than what you could comfortably carry. When the umbrellas are stuck in the sand, you can adjust them yourself to block the sun. I think they would be more effective, but not sure. As someone else brought up, in considering the safety of others around you, it might be best to have the Club O umbrella, and not worry about your umbrella being blown over and striking someone.

We have been here for 21/2 weeks and while we have seen lots of people with their own chairs and umbrellas none were in the front row. They seem to set up near the trees by the Perch or towards the back of the beach. You are certainly correct in that on the very windy days the umbrellas are not opened. We experienced this several days over the past 10 days. Perhaps you could set up in the area near the Watersports. It is less crowded and you may be able to get closer to the water.

The front row is reserved for those who are paying big money to stay there and rightly so.

Technically YES, you can certainly bring your own umbrella and use their chairs, but as others have said, most likely they won't let you use it in the front row. But, as others have said, if it is very windy, using your own umbrella possibly will not work. One, an umbrella you bring is not going to be nearly as steady as the Club O ones, and Two, it is a big danger, with it flying away. I have seen a couple of them go flying one time, there, and one time at Karakter and both times it was a very scary experience, as that umbrella pole could be a lethal projectile. I am WITH you on having to have shade though, as I usually burn, even with lotion on, and under the umbrella. I'm not sure what all natural shade there is right now, as haven't been at Club O beach post Gonzalo, but there used to be some shrubby trees just beside the Perch, and I have often hung out there for the shade value when the guys wouldn't let you put up the umbrellas. That, plus bring a big hat, a coverup and lots of sun block, to use if necessary.

PattyB, you can rent the front row chairs/umbrellas for $20 a day if they do not already have Club O tags on them. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

If it is windy enough that Club O has their umbrellas down I'm pretty sure they would make you put yours down as well. A flying umbrella is definitely dangerous and I believe Club O has had to deal with law suits when people were hurt by a flying umbrella.

Thanks everyone for the suggestions and very valid points. Hopefully it won't even be an issue by the time we arrive on the island. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/thanks.gif" alt="" />

The chair guys are also really expert in planting their umbrellas nice and deep so they hold up well even against the wind. They'll help you move them too as the day and sun progresses.

I can remember as a kid getting to Hampton Beach, NH early in the day and the science of planting the umbrellas. The Grandfather had his correct specifications on the depth of the hole and the proper sand water ratio when filling in. Then I observed the OB guys just plant at the proper angle and knew that I really miss Da.

Yes they can be rented as long as there's no guest tags as we have done that when we weren't staying there. Guess I couldve worded that differently. I have been hit with an umbrella that someone has brought before so Carol is right, they can be dangerous. It's still the pretty windy in the front row and we were getting sand blasted yesterday. Carol the trees beside the perch are still there too! The only signs of Gonzales in front of Club O is the sand near the volleyball area is up to the top of the fences. Yesterday was the first day on the beach and sand gravity got me and I didnt venture down the other way but I will be today. I'm curious to see what places are there and what are not.

I hope this wind dies down before we leave. It was great or the Regatta tho.

OK, glad to hear the trees are still there, they do provide some shade.. Although they do seem to accumulate a lot of bugs of some nature! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Mad.gif" alt="" /> But for people like me that need shade about the only port in the storm! If it's really windy and sand blasting, it's not very comfortable out there even with a umbrella, so I'm not out there long anyway.