Red Suricata Family Beach Tent & Canopy, UPF50 Sun Shade, 4 Aluminum Poles, Sand Shovel, Large Portable Sun Shelter

After searching for sunshades that were different from the standard beach umbrella, I came across Red Suricata. After reading thru the reviews and questions, I decided to purchase. After using it on the beach for a week, I am happy to report that my purchase was well worth the money spent! I went with the 7’x7’ size.In The Bag:The sunshade comes in a nice sized carrying bag which is large enough that I was able to include a compact shovel with plenty of room to spare. It’s nice not to have to struggle putting the components of the sunshade back into the bag! I also threw in a beach umbrella anchor. So much room! The sunshade is very lightweight and compact.The Set Up:After reading reviews and watching setup videos, I felt prepared for my first effort at setup. With the help of my partner, we had the Red Suricata up within about 15 minutes. I could have easily set it up alone but with a 2nd person it made it a bit easier and faster, especially since the wind was blowing at about 12-15 mph. I did not need to use the pole anchors as the poles stuck into the soft sand easily and were secure. The cinch bags/sand bags were easy to fill.Tips:* Fill the sand bags to max capacity. Wet/moist sand will make them heavier if needed for windy conditions. Place the filled bags in dug out holes on at least the two bags on the up-wind side of the shade for increased stability.* Place the poles near each of the four corners and secure with the bungee loops. Readjust the sandbags as needed to make the shade taught on all four corners so that the edges of the shade fabric are stretched tight. Adjust poles (straight up/down or angled) to help counter windy conditions and wind direction.* Beach weather/wind conditions change and so might the need to make adjustments to the sunshade poles and or sandbags. My experience was that the sandbags never needed to be moved. I did adjust pole angles a time or two as winds shifted. Not a big deal.* As we gained experience with assembly, the time, ease and coordination to setup the sunshade got faster and more efficient after each day. By the 2nd or 3rd day we were seasoned veterans!Take Down:* Super simple. Sand emptied out of the sand bags easily albeit dry sand. The sunshade was easily folded and stowed in the carrying bag with all the other components. Take down time was under 7 minutes.The Takeaway:* The reviewers stating that the Red Suricata is a waste of money and that the design doesn’t work are from a different planet. This is a well designed product and will easily withstand 20-25 mph winds if put up correctly and adjustments made accordingly.* The sunshade does provide shade but UV rays do penetrate the fabric. Using sunscreen on sensitive skin is advisable.* The 7’x7’ size was perfect for the two of us plus our beach gear* The materials that come with this sunshade are of good quality. The pole anchors do seem a bit frail and cheap but I didn’t need to use them so not an issue. I can see needing them on compacted beach sand surfaces.* Be sure to check beach rules to insure this style sunshade is permitted and if so, where on the beach it can be staged. We were in SC and these type sunshades had to be in a certain line of site in relation to the dunes, beach patrol paths and high tide surf.This is a great beach shade product. If you have half a brain, can pay attention to written and video instruction, can figure out how to make adjustments to a situation that might require readjusting then don’t hesitate to buy this Red Suricata Sunshade. I’m so glad I did my due diligence and purchased this product. I loved my experience on the beach using this well designed product and I highly recommend it!

Okay, I'm going to write a long review that hopefully helps your purchase decision as well as helping with assembly instructions. The canopy will likely take you 30 minutes to an hour to set up if it's your first time and there is significant wind.The instructions say to spread the canopy out, but to spread the sand bags at 45 degree angles from the corners. This should be bold face print. You can start by filling one bag completely (suggest you fill the bag closest to oncoming wind). Don't dig holes to bury the bags yet. The instructions say to bury the bags in case of significant wind. This is like saying water is wet and the sun is hot. Stretch the opposite corner bag to MAX stretch, fill with as much wet sand as possible and repeat procedure for the other two bags. Then and only then, do you consider doing anything with the poles. You should really use a buddy to assist with this part, otherwise it will greatly increase the assembly time.At this point you have the canopy stretched to Max and the 4 filled sandbags stretched at 45 degree angles from corners. Pick a corner and take your first pole; raise the canopy fabric corner of the ground to accommodate the pole. Position pole approximately 1 foot from corner towards the center of the canopy (if traveling from the corner). Don't agonize over perfect placement but you will want some fabric overlap of the poles. Jam pole deep into surface with your buddy helping to get significant penetration. The pole may flex some depending on wind conditions. It's possible you could find reinforced poles somewhere else. The elastic bands (that are bonding the foldable poles) can be placed on top of fabric over ball tip end of the pole. It does next to nothing as far as support, but I guess it gives you a little extra reassurance and something else to do. Position other three poles into for corners like you did with first.Now you can figure out where to bury the sandbags. Keep them at 45 degree angles from corners; stretch tight and pick the suitable spot to bury. Remember to allow room to stretch bag into hole. Dig hole deeper than necessary (hopefully with a good beach shovel, not the plastic toy shovel that my daughter used to build sandcastles). Bury each bag and use steel anchor through eyehole in each bag. The process will be kind of fluid here depending on how many people are assisting assembly (trying to keep the corner stable while the wind pushes against the canopy).My general thoughts are favorable with regards to what it is supposed to do. Protect you from the sun and give you some shade. The large has lots of coverage area which is very beneficial. I can see this thing getting plenty of usage.