If I had to list my top three favourite smells of all time they would be: basil, cedarwood, and Hawaiian Tropic Sheer Touch Sunscreen Lotion SPF 45. Please, don’t judge me. It’s amazing how scents can trigger memories, and if I happen to get a whiff of the old SPF 45, I’m instantly transported to spending summers on the beach, building sandcastles, floating around in a small rubber dinghy, or swimming out to a floating dock. In Thunder Bay we’re lucky to have access to so many beaches and watering holes. Here at The Walleye we don’t believe these places should be treated with the secrecy of fishing holes—as long as you are respectful to the place and people around, there’s no reason we can’t all enjoy a day at the beach.

So for August, the last full month of summer (sorry for the reality check) we’ve put together a guide to the beaches and swimming holes in the city, as well as some getaway spots. We provide information on the location, type of beach, as well as some features they have to offer.

As part of our theme, Stuff We Like features ideas for beach gear, our men’s style curator Lyle Morissette shares some tips for upgrading your style this summer, film columnist Michael Sobota talks beach movies, and sommelier Jeannie Dubois gives some alternatives to bringing a bottle of wine to the shore.

Also this issue, music columnist Gord Ellis writes a love letter to Fender Stratocaster, we talk to organizers about the community centered Live Free Live Righteous as it returns next month, and Alex Kruse chats with Thunder Bay’s own comedian/actress Aurora Brown about the Baroness von Sketch Show.

So lather on the sunscreen, grab your floaty, and crack a cold beverage because there’s no better place to read The Walleye than the beach.

-Adrian Lysenko