After years-long ban, Myrtle Beach may allow Shibumi Shades this summer. Here’s where

As Myrtle Beach enters another tourist season, city officials are once again considering allowing Shibumi Shades and other wind-activated devices in the busy season.

But the proposed change has detractors. Amid enthusiasm from locals and tourists, city safety officials oppose amending Myrtle Beach regulations that allow only traditional umbrellas from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

“This subject has come up on the Beach Advisory [Committee], the Myrtle Beach Police Department and the Fire Department, have all agreed to stay with the current ordinance with the umbrellas only from Memorial Day to Labor Day,” MBFD Division Chief Brian Mitchell told The Sun News.

Will the city allow a change?

After years of discussion, Myrtle Beach may see a change this year under a new city council and mayor if at least four members approve a change.

In a workshop meeting Tuesday, Myrtle Beach City Council agreed to send the topic of a pilot program in certain areas to the Beach Advisory Committee for recommendations and consideration.

“I think our thought process is, let’s give it a trial in the residential area where it won’t be as crowded ... It lends itself to a test, but let’s see how these devices may work in the real world, rather than automatically excluding them, because it’s convenient for us to say umbrellas only,” Mayor Mark Kruea said.

Wind-activated shade concerns

Both the Myrtle Beach Police Department (MBPD) and the Myrtle Beach Fire Department (MBFD) spoke against permitting wind-activated shade devices in the summer, arguing the move would make authorities’ jobs harder and endanger beachgoers.

“If our trucks are driving along the dune line or patrolling mobile patrols, it’s tough to see with some of those devices the way that the beach goers would set them up,” Mitchell said.

At the workshop Tuesday, MBPD echoed the same opposition to a trial period or permanent change, with a representative telling City Council the department is not in favor of a change.

Current city regulations allow Shibumi Shades, popular 10-to-15-foot shades that fly between two poles, and other wind-driven shade devices after Labor Day until Memorial Day. In the peak season, Myrtle Beach permits only umbrellas with diameters under 7½ feet. Like the rest of Horry County, Myrtle Beach doesn’t allow umbrellas in front of the umbrella line or lifeguard stands.

Beyond shore visibility, Mitchell said he’s concerned about trip hazards from supporting lines outside canopy frameworks and difficulty taking shades down when emergency responders need to access the water line with vehicles.

Umbrella dangers

Umbrellas with diameters smaller than 7½ feet, which are welcome on Myrtle Beach shores all year, create safety hazards of their own, injuring and even killing people in the Grand Strand.

Although beachgoers in Myrtle Beach and Horry County are supposed to anchor umbrellas with weights, stakes or fasteners to restrict uncontrolled movement, a filed a lawsuit against rental company Johns Beach Service claims a woman suffered serious injuries after being hit by one of its rogue umbrellas in 2022.

The same year, another woman was impaled and killed by an unanchored umbrella from East Coast Umbrella, according to a wrongful death suit.