(MONEY Magazine) – Some people come to the beach with more gear than the Second Armored Division. The trick is not to bring a ton of stuff, but the right things that will make your time in the sun worth the sand in your suit. That's why Tom Gill, an appropriately named Virginia Beach lifeguard and spokesman for the U.S. Lifesaving Association, recommends these beach-bum accessories.

1 Tyr Big Mesh Mummy Bag Your standard beach bag may give you space to store your wet gear and other necessities, but it's likely to host a moldfest on the drive home, says Gill. That's why he likes this $17 mesh bag from Tyr (tyr.com), which allows stuff to air out. In addition to the main compartment, there's an outside pouch for your water bottle.

2 Speedo Two-Piece It used to be that Lycra or nylon "rash guards" were just for surfers, who wanted to protect their stomachs from chafing when they paddled their boards out to a wave. But now these mini-wetsuits are embraced by beachgoers of all kinds, since they offer more reliable sun protection than suntan lotion. Gill is partial to Speedo's suits (speedo.com), which usually run from $40 to $80.

3 WearEver Backpack Chair You'll want to take a seat to the beach, but why tie up your hands carrying a chair? No need to with WearEver's Backpack Chair (around $20 at major retailers). Just like its name implies, the chair folds up and can be carried right on your shoulders. A new Backpack Lounger, which can be found for around $40, just hit stores this season.