Visitors flock to Regina Beach on weekend of reopening

Beachgoers wasted no time returning to the waterfront this weekend.

Colourful kayaks floating in the waves and small groups of people strolling along the shore. The pleasant picture is just the first taste of freedom people are experiencing this weekend at Regina Beach.

The provincial government reopened beaches and playgrounds in Saskatchewan on Friday, just in time for some beautiful summer temperatures.

Both visitors and businesses at the beach expressed excitement about the beach’s reopening.

“It’s fantastic, it’s long overdue, obviously with the weather and everything everybody’s itching to get out there,” said visitor Brett Vancise.

A triathlon competitor, Vancise said he has missed swimming at the beach and is looking forward to a day of beachside relaxation.

“I’ll just have a cold beer, maybe, sit in the sand,” Vancise said.

Friends Aly Dederick and Sydney Ell get ready for an afternoon of kayaking together at Regina Beach.
(Libby Giesbrecht/980 CJME)

Feeling more adventurous, friends Aly Dederick and Sydney Ell brought their kayak to the beach to enjoy the water.

Ell, who has a cabin at Regina Beach, said she is excited to spend time with friends there this summer.

“Especially to come out most weekends this summer when there isn’t a lot to be doing,” Ell said. “It’s nice when the beach is open that we can come down to it.”

Dederick says she will come to the beach with her family in the summer, also.

“I think it’s just a nice family outing … just enjoying the weather, I think, is what I’m most excited for,” Dederick said.

Karma Klassen brought her children, Maximus and Ayla, out to Regina Beach on Thursday to enjoy some sun before crowds descended on the area.

The family was excited to enjoy a lunch at the Bluebird Cafe and play in the sand.

“It’s our first time out of the house in 70 days,” Klassen said.

“In this kind of weather, it’s the best to just go to the beach and let the kids play in the sand.”

Karma Klassen sits with son Maximus and daughter Ayla at the Bluebird Cafe in Regina Beach on Thursday June 11, 2020.
(Libby Giesbrecht/980 CJME)

Klassen’s daughter, Ayla, says swimming is her favourite part about visiting the beach. Her older brother prefers spending time on the shore.

“I just like playing in the sand,” said Maximus. “I like to make sand monsters.”

Regina Beach community members said they are looking forward to seeing the beaches crowded once again, especially after dealing with the uncertainty of COVID-19.

“I think the importance for community is just community, actually. Just being together but being safe,” said Deb Winkler, a Regina Beach resident. “I think we need to take care of each other, take care of our neighbours, take care of our family.”

Winkler’s daughter, Vanessa, is glad that summer for her kids will include an open beach.

“I knew it would be a sad summer without it,” Vanessa explained. “We are excited to use the space, use the slides and swings and everything again.”

A group of highschool friends even made their way all the way from Vancouver to enjoy the beach during its opening weekend.

“I have a few friends living in Saskatchewan and I asked them what are some places to visit,” Jasmine Naveh said.

“They said ‘nowhere,’ but then they said Regina Beach is pretty chill so we thought, ‘Weather’s nice, why not?’”

Naveh and her friends Parker Watson and Evan Ryan decided to take a short road trip through Saskatchewan and Alberta after spending weeks quarantined at home.

“We can’t go west and we can’t go south, so might as well try east,” Ryan said.

The group has been enjoying the prairie scenery.

“Doesn’t sound exciting but seeing flat stuff was like ‘Woah’ for us for the first little bit,” Watson said. “And then it got more flat, we were amazed again.”

Sundae Times owner Tara Schaffer says she is open and ready for customers in Regina Beach on Thursday June 11, 2020.
(Libby Giesbrecht/980 CJME)

But while the beach’s reopening is exciting for most, some businesses are still cautious due to concerns over the coronavirus.

“It’s kind of scary because some people still don’t want to follow the rules,” said Ally Hubelit.

Hubelit works at Rudy’s, a clothing and home decor store in Regina Beach.

“Fun, I hope that people have fun,” she said.

“This COVID thing has really put a stinker … into the new now. But as long as there’s people here and they follow the rules, that’s all we want.”

Further down Centre Street, Sundae Times awaits the sure-to-be long lines of customers waiting to get a sweet treat to cool off during their beach visits this weekend.

“We’re excited to see the community out and about and we’re excited that the weather is going to be in our favour as well,” said Sundae Times owner Tara Schaffer.