One Surfer's Guide to Mindful Beaching

There was a time when my beach days were a sticky blur of frizzled hair and peeling skin. I'd moved from shady, bucolic upstate New York to Rockaway Beach, Queens, where my life revolved around surfing. After hours of riding the waves on my beloved mid-length board and hollering at my friends as they soared across the horizon, I'd flop onto my towel and crack open a beer—that refreshing, hoppy bitterness fizzing on my tongue.

I relished those lazy days spent dissociating while staring wistfully at the planes soaring out of the nearby airport, happily fatigued muscles melting in the sun. But I eventually realized they came with some serious downsides: groggy mornings riding the A train to work feeling like a literal sea cucumber, sunburnt skin (oof, Mom was right: wrinkles), and the general sense that I wasn't really there.

It took some time and a few hard-won lessons to learn that beach days don't have to be this way. While I still live to surf, I've finally perfected the art of a sandy romp that won't suck the life out of me—and I didn't even have to ditch the cooler of cold ones. Here's how I do it.

Prep the essentials the night before

My beach days start early, so I can get the pick of glassy waves before the inevitable breeze kicks up and fellow surfers dot the ocean like confetti. To avoid the morning rush, I'll pack my cooler of drinks and snacks and a large tote bag the night before, first grabbing my oversize beach towel from Quiet Town. It's big enough to masquerade as a picnic blanket and made from super-absorbent, 100 percent organic cotton.

Next, I'll throw in some sunscreen so I don't end up looking like a broiled lobster. Because I've become borderline neurotic about removing harmful chemicals from my skincare routine, I opt for Juice Beauty's SPF 45, which is approved by the Environmental Working Group, a nonprofit dedicated to consumer safety. In my beach bag, you'll also always find sunnies—I'm loyal to Crap Eyewear's Supa Phreek in Kiwi Green—and a fun hat to block the rays and hide my blunt blonde bangs, which don't love a beach day as much as I do.

Go easy on the booze

The real game-changer for my salty sea-dog life? Athletic Brewing's non-alcoholic beers. These colorful cans have become my go-to for a refreshing beach-day drink that keeps the good times rolling all day long—without the dreaded hangover. I've entered an era of life where booze "hurts me," as I dramatically messaged a friend the other day. (Cue the tiny violin.) Though I still love the taste, I simply cannot handle the aftermath.

With a huge range of flavors, Athletic makes it easy to find the perfect brew for any vibe—or time of day, breakfast brew anyone? The Run Wild IPA has a crisp burst of citrusy notes, perfect for pairing with a tangy guacamole and chips. The Upside Dawn Golden, with its smooth and mellow notes, is made for sipping alongside a soft white-bread-and-cheese sando. And the Ripe Pursuit Lemon Radler delivers a bright, lemony flavor that's a natural extension of your fruit salad.

Not only do these brews taste amazing—so many other brands I've tried are watery or thin, lacking the full flavor and satisfying complexity of traditional beer—but Athletic Brewing also fits seamlessly into my routine. Whether I'm taking a break between surf sessions or enjoying the sunset, I know I'm not accruing a debt I'll have to pay the next morning.

Fuel up on sand-safe snacks

When it comes to beach food, I keep things simple. (Read: I eat like a toddler.) A classic peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwich with a little swipe of salty, umami miso is my post-surf breakfast—wrapped securely to keep the sand out. And I opt for loads of snacks over full-on meals. I'm talking about fresh watermelon slices and grapes, pretzels and mixed nuts, hummus and crudités, cheese and crackers, chips and salsa. Of course, ice water is now an all-day affair. You'll have to pry my beloved insulated Owala bottle from my cold, dead hands.

So nowadays, I shake off my towel and pack up my gear with a clear head, making sure to leave no trace. A surprising perk of my Athletic Brewing lifestyle is my newfound sense of presence and wonder. Instead of leaving the sand in a forgetful daze, I remember the sound of the waves crumbling gently onto the shoreline. The crazy purple underside of a particularly sculptural shell. The shiny gray backs of a pod of dolphins that crossed the bay as I sipped my drink. As the orange sun blazes high in the sky, I can raise a toast with my friends—fulfilled and ready to do it all again tomorrow.