For countless holidaymakers, few things prove more nerve-wracking than the infamous early morning sunbed scramble – with tourists prepared to go to extraordinary lengths to claim the ideal poolside position. However, one family chose to transform the frenzied “sunbed wars” into a spectator sport by dispatching dad into the fray while they observed safely from their balcony overhead.
Nicole Mason-Price, 35, confessed that she and her four year old daughter Nevada enthusiastically supported husband Shawn, 34, as he joined scores of tourists battling over loungers at their Spanish resort. The family, hailing from the West Midlands, were staying at the Golden Donaire Beach Hotel when they witnessed the early morning pandemonium unfold. Despite the pool not officially opening until 9am, determined holidaymakers were already forming queues from approximately 7.45am in the hope of securing the prime spots.
Nicole said: “People push, swear and shout and claim more sunbeds than they should, which causes arguments.”
Having previously observed how fierce the rivalry became earlier during their holiday, the family typically sidestepped the mayhem entirely by making their way directly to the neighbouring beach instead.
However, on 16 May, their daughter was adamant about using the pool – leaving Shawn with little option but to face the queue himself.
Nicole explained: “We sent my husband to queue around 8am.”
As tensions mounted around the pool area, Nicole and Nevada observed from their balcony and began encouraging him from above as though he were competing in a sporting competition.
2View 2 ImagesHis wife couldn’t help but laugh at him(Image: Jam Press/@tinytrendx)
2View 2 ImagesHe joined other tourists in the morning sunbed dash(Image: Jam Press/@tinytrendx)
The commotion swiftly drew the attention of another guest lodging close by.
“The man next door came onto his balcony when he heard the shouting and joined in cheering on my husband,” Nicole laughed.
“My husband was super embarrassed as we were all cheering.”
According to Nicole, tensions around the sun loungers escalated dramatically as holidaymakers rushed to bag multiple beds with towels before heading off for breakfast.
While the hotel has regulations designed to prevent guests from hogging sunbeds for extended periods, she maintains many people completely disregard them.
She said: “The rules are that you cannot leave your sunbeds with towels for longer than 15 minutes unoccupied. But people leave them for hours whilst they’re having breakfast.”
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In certain instances, exasperated holidaymakers allegedly take things into their own hands.
Nicole added: “Other people actually throw their towels into the pool if they haven’t returned.”
The chaotic footage quickly entertained viewers online, with numerous people acknowledging that the daily battle for loungers has become an inescapable element of package holidays overseas.