Sand is an ideal substance for training. Your feet tend to sink and your legs burn with the extra effort. For those who have experienced the invigorating challenges of a beach run, one can empathize with workouts that are nothing short of amplified when done in the sand. Consider these soldiers in training from a photo taken during World War I on Seaside’s beach. Folks watched from the old Pacific Pier (which was once located right off of Broadway before being washed away) as the soldiers drilled down in the sands just west of the turnaround.  It looks like a friendly tug-of-war match, but tug-of-war can be a heated test of team strength and will.  Training was of course strenuous during the war years, but it was not drudgery all day for these tough soldiers.  Spirited play was in fact encouraged and a couple of hours a day were set aside for this very purpose.  For instance football games were popular, both for physical exercise and team building.  I only hope these brave men were able to enjoy a little well-earned R&R down on Broadway after all that exertion!

Do you have any stories from this era (either personal or passed on through generations)? Please share them with us by commenting below.