Buy a sand anchor.

Get a sand anchor — the kind you screw into the sand like a corkscrew. It’s the one thing that actually holds.

Digging your umbrella deep seems like it should work, but it doesn’t. The wind catches the canopy, the pole pivots, and suddenly you’re chasing a rental down the beach. I’ve seen it happen to everyone.

A good sand anchor costs about $15 and takes thirty seconds to install. Screw it in, slide the pole through, and tighten the strap. Another option is a weighted bag you fill with sand — those work too, but they’re bulkier to carry.

If you’re using the umbrella, setting it low and digging a hole helps, but for unattended? Anchor or nothing.

Future you won’t be chasing an umbrella down the beach.