THE sunbed wars were escalating across Europe earlier today — as The Sun bravely flew into the heart of the action.
On the Costa del Sol, we found scores of British tourists who had been caught up in the “carnage” and they described ferocious battles each morning to get poolside loungers.
The Sun’s Julia Atherley reports on the sunbed war after completing her Hostile Environment TrainingDarren Fletcher – Commissioned by The Sun
There was no free sunbed in sight in popular Torremolinos – although plenty were left unattended with towels laid down to claim themDarren Fletcher – Commissioned by The Sun
This summer has seen a huge rise in scraps over sunbeds as the ongoing heat causes a scramble for the best spots.
We’ve reported on incidents across the Mediterranean and now there are even outbreaks near major cities — with Barcelona the latest to be struck.
In Greece, we told how locals were trying to ban sunbeds to reclaim their beaches from tourists.
But, incredibly, there is still no sign of the Germans in the conflict, although experts expect a counter-offensive from them any day now.
When The Sun’s reporter, who has completed her Hostile Environment Training, arrived at family favourite Torremolinos yesterday afternoon there were, predictably, no free sun loungers in sight.
Many of them were reserved with towels but their owners were nowhere to be seen.
Brits wait for up to two hours every morning before the pool opens at the four-star Hotel Estival Torrequebrada to get a lounger.
Holidaymakers bring chairs and form a queue outside the gate as they wait patiently for the lifeguard to open the pool area at 9am.
Lifeguards have now been forced to open the pool an hour earlier than the scheduled time because of the mammoth queues of eager tourists.
But once it is open, “hell breaks loose” with parents telling their kids to run ahead to secure the best beds and adults running to try to beat other UK holidaymakers to a prime location.
The resort in the Costa del Sol piles up the loungers overnight, meaning sunseekers have to speedily grab one and claim their place each morning.
Minutes after the gates are opened by hotel staff, all the chairs are taken — with those who missed out having to head to the beach or lie on the floor.
The ongoing summer heat is causing a scramble for the best spotsDarren Fletcher – Commissioned by The Sun
Public beaches can charge 14 euros for a sunbed if Brits miss out on the race at their hotelGetty
The nearest public beach charges 14 euros for a sunbed if Brits miss out on the race at their hotel.
Jacqueline Jenkins, 55, and her husband David, 61, from Newcastle, had planned to go to Rhodes for their summer holiday but had to make a last minute change to head to the Costa del Sol when their hotel was closed due to recent wildfires.
She told The Sun: “It makes you feel like a little child waiting to get into the school gates. It’s horrible having to wait and queue but that’s what you have to do if you want a bed. It’s rubbish.”
They arrived at Hotel Estival Torrequebrada on Tuesday and have been queuing from 8.30am to get a bed.
She added: “It’s frustrating when people claim a bed with their towels then disappear for the rest of the day. It’s not fair and it’s not right.”
Neil Jackson, 51, from Birmingham, told The Sun he was ready to “take his chances” in the morning rush.
By mid-afternoon, all beds were still claimed even though the owners of the towels were nowhere to be found.
Deborah Pawlikowski, 52, moved from Galway in Ireland to Torremolinos 11 years ago and said she had laughed at the videos of tourists running to get a good spot by the pool.
She told The Sun: “I can’t understand why they are doing it. There are so many lovely beaches and always places to sunbathe. That’s no way to spend a holiday in my opinion.”
RUN OUT OF HOPE
THE race is on for a lounger — at a hotel with up to 1,500 guests but just 100 sunbeds.
Gates to the pool area at the Hotel Europa Splash on the Costa Brava near Barcelona open at 9am but queueing starts at dawn.
Guests at the Hotel Europa Splash on the Costa Brava near Barcelona are queuing at dawn to get a sunbedSupplied
People rush past each other in the bid to nab the best onesSupplied
The race was on as the hotel has 1,500 guests – but just 100 sunbedsSupplied
Teachers Paul and Sarah Nesbitt, of Plymouth, said people push each other and try to cut in. Paul, 50, said: “One bloke fell into the pool.”
Sarah, 49, added: “It’s carnage. I don’t think the staff who had just washed the floors really believed all the slipping and sliding.”
