The great sunbed wars are back!
As the days get longer, the sun warmer and the prospect of lounging by a pool more tempting, the need to get a prime spot on the water's edge grows.
Every year ray-seeking holiday makers are pitted against one another to see who can bag the best sunbed a resort has to offer.
In a video shared on TikTok this week it's made clear that the battles for a prime spot have well and truly started.
In the clip the theme tune from Mario Kart can be heard, signalling the start of the race at the Bahia Principe Hotel in Tenerife.
One holidaymaker caught the action at 7.47am, filming a crowd of tourists racing to the pool area to reserve sun loungers by the pool.
Some can be seen running to the sunbeds and plonking down their belongings, while others fling their towels onto the seats in front of them.
Thomas Clifford, who captured the video, said: "I couldn’t believe it! People were sniping by throwing their towels off the top of the stairs. I felt sorry for the poor man trying to clean the pool as everyone stampeded him!"
Thomas said that aside from the morning rush for a sunbed, the hotel was "amazing".
Each year the sunbed wars breakout at resorts where the demand for lounger outstrips the supply.
In a bid to stop night-time guerrilla tactics, some hotels remove any towels placed on deck chairs before a certain time.
Last year Brits on holiday in Majorca have been caught laying out their towels as early as 5am in a bid to get the best spot.
Mum Rebekah posted a video on Instagram showing the swathes of towels left on the ground by guests in an effort to reserve a space, hours sunbeds could even be booked.
In the video she jokes: "Ladies and Gentlemen I present to you the British efforts from this year’s annual ‘Sun-bed Showdown’. More tactical, skilled and hated than ANY sports team in the world…"
"Cue the mass gathering of towels from as early as 5am to gain a prime spot round the pool and if you’re really lucky grab a parasol.
"The more dedicated of the team even stake out on these towels until unlock time. No towel down by 7am no poolside space for your family.
"Think of it as a British hybrid version of musical chairs meets the Hunger Games. Forget the lie-in and prepare to become immersed in the game!’
