The ban on building sandcastles applies to the Baltic Sea, but not in our country - it’s in our western neighbor's territory. This is important to note, as more and more Poles visit the German coast, appreciating the peace and the lack of fencing habits there. While many might think that small structures built by children are just harmless fun, according to German regulations - and not only there - it is an illegal activity.
Can You Build Sandcastles on the Beach? In Some Places, It Could End in a Huge Fine
In Germany, certain beaches have a strict ban on constructing any kind of sand structures. This includes the beach in Zinnowitz on the island of Usedom, just 31 km from Świnoujście. The regulation is also enforced on beaches in Ostseebad Binz on the Fischland-Darß-Zingst peninsula and on the island of Sylt in the North Sea. This is because such structures negatively affect the ground - they loosen the soil, which can cause significant damage.
On other beaches, sandcastle building is allowed, but under specific conditions. According to German regulations, during play, no building materials such as driftwood, planks, or stones can be used. Moreover, when digging, you must maintain a minimum distance of about two meters from the dunes, and the structures must not be higher than 30 centimeters and no larger than 3.5 meters in circumference. Ignoring the rules on specific beaches on the North Sea and Baltic Sea in Germany can result in a fine of up to 1,000 euros, which is nearly 4,300 PLN.
Ban on Building Sandcastles on the Beach. Lifeguards Plead: There Are Broken Arms and Legs, and Dislocated Shoulders
Similar restrictions are also in place on Levante Beach in Spain. There, the ban on building sandcastles was introduced back in 2016, and breaking it can result in a fine of around 700 PLN. Later, the municipalities of Arona and Arico in Tenerife adopted the idea, where creating moats is also prohibited. Such regulations are implemented primarily for safety reasons, as various structures and holes can not only hinder rescue operations but also pose a deadly danger to other beachgoers. While in Poland, children can still play this way, it's important to remember to fill in any holes and dismantle any structures after leaving the beach. Lifeguards have even appealed for this, as they have repeatedly ended up in the hospital due to giant holes in the sand.
"We have many cases where someone falls in and ends up with a dislocated shoulder, or a broken arm or leg. We haven't had such a situation here, but in Mielno or the Tri-City, there have been instances where someone got buried," explained Stanisław Malepszak, a WOPR lifeguard in Kołobrzeg, in an interview with the o2 portal. It's also important to remember to check the regulations in the place you're visiting before each trip, as they can change literally from day to day.
