Two outlets describe a trend in European holiday resorts where guests compete for limited poolside sunbeds early in the day. Both reports focus on a British holidaymaker, identified as Clayton Smith, who gets up before sunrise in Spain to choose spots around the pool that are likely to be in shade. The articles portray his approach as a set of practical “tricks,” including arriving early and bringing rolled-up towels, rather than relying on waiting or random selection. The reports frame the behavior as part of an ongoing “sunbed wars” dynamic among guests, suggesting the competition is widespread enough to be discussed as a recurring problem at resorts. No additional details about enforcement, resort rules, or a broader study of the practice are provided in the excerpts, and the accounts remain centered on an individual’s method for improving his odds of getting a preferred sunbed position. The overall message across both sources is that timing and knowledge of shade patterns are presented as key factors for securing poolside spaces.