What’s new at the beach?

Is the beach getting boring?

I know — right? That just can’t happen. The sun will turn into cotton candy before a beach becomes boring in my eyes. For some, a beach is supposed to be boring, which is to say it is one place you can go and just sit and not have to explain yourself. “What are you doing?” The appropriate answer: “You’re looking at it.”

Nevertheless (as timeless as beach activities might be: Swim, read, nap, bury a small child), there are times when a beach feels like, “Yeah, we’ve done that.” If you are having conversation by yourself or if metal detecting sounds like something you would like to try, then may be it’s time to look for some new beach activities. And, lucky you, beaches are prime spots for innovative entertainment. If you can tear yourself away from Tolstoy’s “War and Peace,” there’s always a new toy or a new twist to an old one that can get your blood circulating again.

1. Spike Ball

Beach games tend to be simple and spike ball is no different. This game just looks like a sad variety of beach volleyball, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t fun. Instead of a net and a cantaloupe-sized ball, spike ball involves a softball-sized orb and an apparatus that looks like one of those personal exercise trampolines. The idea is to play catch or bounce-volleyball, if you will, by throwing or spiking the ball down onto the trampoline, which sends it springing up in the direction of another player. This requires the dexterity of a juggler, the reaction time of a shortstop and the agility of a sand crab.

2. Sand Hole

If your teenagers are bored, they might try digging a sand hole, which has, of course, infinite varieties, but has been made popular by YouTube videos showing kids disappearing under the sand, when they are actually sliding into a pre-dug hole that leads to an underground plywood box, where the teenagers can safely hang out for a while. The major appeal, however, is pretending that 10 of your friends have been swallowed up by a mysterious beach anomaly. Anything to post on YouTube, right?

3. Water jet packs

If you think jet skis are fun, get a load of these slick toys. Water jet packs are seriously strong pumps that are strapped to the bottom of your feet (generally, while the rider is wearing ankle-securing boots) that can go so fast they can life you right out of the water.

Let’s get this visual image down correctly: A powerful water pump and an extremely long hose are strapped to a swimmer’s feet. The swimmer then plays dolphin games, literally, going so fast they can go from a dash underwater to airborne, achieving heights of 15 feet in the air or more.

Yes, this is a bit like science fiction meets air Jordan, a system so strong it lifts someone right up in the air. Serious air. Has to be seen to be believed.

4. Paddleboarding

Paddleboarding is the ultimate cool. While standing serenely on a surf board, the rider uses a long-handled paddle to move the board forward. While this seems a bit of a yawn, the sport has taken hold with serious competitors racing on paddleboards with talk that includes pushing for entry into the summer Olympics. Paddlingboarding can involve serious exercise or it can a quiet pursuit that involves a man, paddle and alone time. On the other hand, it’s a surfboard, stupid. That means at a beach, this is a multi-tasking apparatus that can serve as a private getaway, a racing venue or a surfboard with a long paddle that can be used as a rudder. Three sports (at least) out of one toy. That’s not too bad.

If you’ve never seen paddleboarding, try looking them up on YouTube or find a retailer online, such as Legends SUP of Carlsbad, CA.

5. Sand sculpting

If all else fails, try sand sculpting. This is a fun, sadly temporary art form, involving sand shaped into magnificent sculptures, often creating a surreal image at the beach — everything from full-sized dragons to giant sleeping heads. You can start with easy and work your way up from there — a turtle, a shoe or a dolphin, perhaps, to start if off, before you find the courage to try the Disneyland castle or a city landscape.

Meanwhile, beware the temptation to buy the latest, innovative beer cooler. This doesn’t add much to excitement at the beach, even if it keeps the beer cold. Sometimes you just have to stand up, brush off the sand, and try something new. Then you can look forward to the beach once again.