EXCLUSIVE: 'We're getting drunk!' Spring Break students defy drinking ban to twerk, flash, fight and fall over... and if you think this is bad, wait for this weekend - when the party REALLY begins
- Spring Break partying has already begun - with police reporting arrests for drinking on the beach, underage drinking, public intoxication and 'disorderly conduct'
- Over the course of four days in Panama City Beach, DailyMail.com saw college kids get so drunk they needed medical attention, flash their breasts in public and appear to have sex in a nightclub
- Spring break gets fully under way on Friday and Saturday, with 2.5 million expected to flock to the beaches - up from 1.3 million the previous weekend - even though many beaches have banned drinking
- Of those, tens of thousands head to Panama City Beach, as well as other Florida resorts such as Daytona Beach and Fort Lauderdale, and Texas hotspot South Padre Island
- For Panama City Beach, the annual influx means a $40 million payday - but there is concern some students are using college loans to fund their fun
Slumped over drunk on the beach, necking beer on hotel balconies and performing lewd dances in front of baying crowds, these are the Spring Break shenanigans that students don't want their parents to see.
Over the course of four days in Panama City Beach, DailyMail.com saw college kids get so drunk they needed medical attention, flash their breasts in public and, in one incident, appear to have sex pressed against the barriers in a nightclub.
More still were seen getting drunk day and night, with some downing beer through funnels and others doing shots in the pool to chants of 'drink, drink, drink, drink!' - all despite the city banning drinking on the beach.
This week, 1.3 million students, most aged between 18 and 21, head out on vacation, with a further 2.5 million set to follow on Friday.
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A student funnels beer on a hotel balcony - just one of the Spring Break shenanigans students don't want their parents to see
While on Spring Break, students also were seen by DailyMail.com playing drinking games on their hotel balconies like 'slapping the bag' - removing the bag of wine inside the box of wine and then passing it around. This week, 1.3 million students, most aged between 18 and 21, head out on vacation, with a further 2.5 million set to follow on Friday
Over the course of four days in Panama City Beach, DailyMail.com saw college girls 'performing' on stage for crowds of men who cheered them on and took videos of them with their phones
'Disorderly conduct': One student appeared to expose herself to crowds of shocked onlookers
The student then seemed to dance her way off stage as men stared at her from behind dark sunglasses
Of those, tens of thousands head to Panama City Beach, as well as other Florida resorts such as Daytona Beach and Fort Lauderdale, and Texas hotspot South Padre Island.
For Panama City Beach, the annual influx means a $40m payday – approximately $2m of which is funneled into city coffers via a statutory bed tax.
Bars and restaurants across town benefit greatly from the Spring Break shenanigans, including Dirty Dicks Crab House, whose slogan is 'where diners come to get crabs'.
Across the country, the student dollar equates to a $1bn boom for tour operators, bar owners and club promoters, according figures prepared by University of New Orleans economist John Laurie.
But not everyone is delighted to see the students, including the local police department which is charged with enforcing rules introduced in 2015 banning drinking on the beach following a spate of rapes – 42 between 2007 and 2014.
Outside the Spinnaker Beach Club, which is famous for its Tuesday 'Beach Bash' parties, girls could be seen performing lewd dances for large crowds
![A group of college girls cheer on a friend as she funnels beer on her hotel balcony not far from the beach. 'This [Panama City Beach] is the top Spring Break place and it's great for parties,' one party-goer told DailyMail.com](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/03/09/15/3E06DDBD00000578-4295400-image-a-98_1489072442540.jpg)
A group of college girls cheer on a friend as she funnels beer on her hotel balcony not far from the beach. 'This [Panama City Beach] is the top Spring Break place and it's great for parties,' one party-goer told DailyMail.com
Other students or college 'drop outs' relax and drink on a balcony nearby, 'pre-gaming' before heading out to a beach bash
Wet n' Wild: Some revelers seemed in awe of the sloppy 'performances', including this fully clothed student who sipped her drink as she watches drunk girls dance - and fall over - on 'stage'
Showing off: One student seemed to enjoy proudly displaying her behind for her fellow spring breakers
Quite the spectacle: Two men cheer on a twerking college student sporting a more sophisticated look, wearing glasses with her swimwear
Smile you're on camera: The twerking college girl turned around to proudly show off her dance moves and toned physique - and is almost certain to have been filmed by those watching
As a result, the 2016 season saw a drop in crime with police figures showing a total of 20 gun-related offences and 256 drug arrests, compared to 93 gun busts and 507 drug arrests the previous year.
In total, 1,222 people were arrested during 2016 Spring Break, compared to 2,423 in 2015.
Figures for this year are not yet available, although a total of 18 arrests were made in Panama City Beach over the weekend of February 3-5 – the majority for underage drinking and disorderly conduct.
In Daytona Beach, which hosts between 5,000 and 10,000 students each weekend in March, 106 arrests were made last weekend, while police in Fort Lauderdale - the fourth most popular destination of 2017 according to a survey of travel businesses - logged 137 crimes, albeit not all committed by Spring Breakers.
Among the those on the wrong side of the law in Panama City Beach was Adam, 20, a student from Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tennessee, who was hauled off by cops for drinking on the beach according to his friends.
Gabriel, 21, and friends Mike and Brett, both 20, said their roommate had found himself being taken away by police after being caught drunk on the beach at noon.
'It was crazy,' the trio told DailyMail.com. 'He was just having a few drinks on the beach and the cops showed up and took him away.'
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But not everyone is delighted to see the students, including the local police department who arrested a number of party-goers for underage drinking, drinking on the beach, public intoxication and disorderly conduct
In the zone: One student appeared to really be into the music, raising one hand to the sky and holding a beer in the other
Party on: Girls continued to dance on stage for the crowd and their cameras despite the risk of arrest
A party-goer wearing a 'no shade' swimsuit seems to not have a care in the world as she dances for the crowd. 'We're getting drunk!' one Michigan student said
Girls could be seen stripping off onstage and twerking for prizes ranging from t-shirts to having their entire bar tabs paid
Some party-goers really outdid themselves, showing off their dance moves for the more-than-impressed onlookers
Mike, who was dressed in a Stars and Stripes bandana and matching swim shorts, added: 'They're going to fine him $250 and bring him back when he's sobered up.
'It's crazy how harsh the cops are – we're just having fun but they're everywhere'.
Paul Miller, 21, of the University of West Virginia, told DailyMail.com that he and his friends had come to party but complained of the police efforts to control the beach.
'This [Panama City Beach] is the top Spring Break place and it's great for parties,' he said. 'But we should 100 per cent be able to have a beer and enjoy the beach without the cops stopping you.'
The first wave of Spring Break parties saw a spike in drinking offences, among them public intoxication and disorderly conduct.
By Monday afternoon, a further seven arrests had been made – most for breaking the beach booze ban and public intoxication.
One local cop, who asked not to be named, told DailyMail.com: 'We've arrested two already this morning. Each time, it has been for being intoxicated on the beach.
'We take them to the Bay County Jail up the road and leave them there until they sober up.'
Local Police Chief Drew Whitman added: 'Most of the Spring Break arrests are for drinking on the sandy portion of the beach, underage drinking and disorderly conduct.
As the day went on, drunken revelers started to get sloppy. One student put herself in a very revealing position in front of her friend, who appeared to push her away
Heartstopping moment: One acrobatic student jumped off a roof into the sandy beach as amazed spring breakers looked on
Drunken delight: A college student sporting a light pink bikini seemed to be having the time of her life dancing at the bash
Shocking: The same student then flipped over, revealing herself to the crowd including a man whose jaw dropped at the sight
'Those who are arrested can get fines of up to $500 and have to get a taxi back after we release them from jail. Or their friends can pick them up.'
Other southern party towns such as Daytona Beach and Fort Lauderdale also saw arrests for drunkenness, underage drinking, loitering and fighting.
Daytona Beach Police Chief Craig Capri said: 'Come here, have a good time and obey the law. But if you want to come here, get drunk and fight, you will be going to jail.'
And in South Padre Island, Texas, local law enforcement said emergency calls are 'going up each day' with Police Chief Randy Smith predicting 'the busiest week of the year' when revelers from the hard-partying University of Texas descend on Friday.
But despite the risk of arrest, students in Panama City Beach told DailyMail.com they plan to party on regardless – and could be seen hauling bottles of booze into their rooms and playing a game of cat and mouse with cops determined to keep a lid on the shenanigans.
Unhappy ending: Most appeared to be having a boozy good time, although it all proved too much for one reveler who was discovered by DailyMail.com drunkenly slumped over a table in Pizza Hut
Outside the Spinnaker Beach Club, which is famous for its Tuesday 'Beach Bash' parties, students were seen passed out on the sand and falling over following rounds of 'Mega Loko' shots - a shot glass filled with vodka and Four Loko
In fact, revelers seemed to be passed out everywhere along on the beach as the day parties ended, falling over continuously
Some spring breakers needed to be lifted off the ground by friends because of their drunken antics
But earlier in the day, students were seen looking more calm - lounging in the sun before the real partying began
Two spring breakers looked eager to party. One particularly patriotic party-goer sported a stars and stripes bandana
'We're getting drunk!' one Michigan student named Michael told this website. 'We've got a load of vodka and lime pops in our room. We mix them together - you should try it.
'We're just going to get drunk and have fun'.
Outside the Spinnaker Beach Club, which is famous for its Tuesday 'Beach Bash' parties, students were seen passed out on the sand and falling over following rounds of 'Mega Loko' shots, made with an equal mix of vodka and Four Loko.
Meanwhile, in neighboring Club La Vela, girls could be seen stripping off onstage and twerking lasciviously for prizes ranging from t-shirts to bar tabs in full view of the crowd.
Further down the beach, at the $142-a-night Holiday Inn, groups of students could be seen clustered on balconies challenging each other to drinking games.
In the evenings, youngsters intent on a good time headed to Club La Vela – a huge drinking spot that bills itself as 'the place to party with thousands'
The club is also famous for hosting wet t-shirt contests, as well as foam parties and live music; mostly hip hop stars including upcoming performer Ty Dolla $ign
Determined: One spring breaker is intent on keeping the party going, carrying milk and a six pack of beer back to his hotel
Students dancing at La Vela. Over the course of four days in Panama City Beach, DailyMail.com even caught two youngsters appearing to have sex in the nightclub
Some were seen passing plastic bags of booze between rooms, while others could be seen doing beer funnels – the aim being to drink as much as possible in the shortest time.
In the evenings, youngsters intent on a good time headed back to Club La Vela – a huge drinking spot that bills itself as 'the place to party with thousands'.
It is also famous for hosting wet t-shirt contests, as well as foam parties and live music; mostly hip hop stars including upcoming performer Ty Dolla $ign.
Saturday night saw revelers crowd into the club for the annual welcome party, while on Sunday, the theme was pools, with free entry for girls in bikinis.
But it was on Monday night that the club really got going, courtesy of a 'wet n' wild foam party' that saw girls climb on stage and twerk in front of a baying crowd.
Others opted for alternatives such as Hammerhead Fred's, a neon-lit bar next door to a small theme park boasting rides such as the Vomatron sling-shot, and local strip club Show-n-Tail.
Many students were seen by DailyMail.com falling over and struggling to get back up because they were too intoxicated - victim of Mega Loko shots, made with an equal mix of vodka and Four Loko
While some spring breakers were able to get back on their feet, the party-goer pictured had to be taken away by paramedics
Too much to handle: The man was laid down on the back of a patrol vehicle and driven away from the madness
Most appeared to be having a boozy good time, although it all proved too much for one reveler who was discovered by DailyMail.com drunkenly slumped over a table in Pizza Hut opposite La Vela.
Another was seen on Monday night falling over and struggling to get back up because he was so intoxicated.
Students appeared proud of their antics, with one group of girls found relaxing on the beach on telling DailyMail.com that they had been thrown out of La Vela two nights in a row for behaving too rowdily.
Mia Rife and Dana West, both 18 and from the University of South Carolina, admitted to being ejected from the club.
'A lot of people from our school come here [to Panama City Beach] and we had heard it was fun so that's why we're here,' said Mia.
'It has been good so far but calmer than we expected.' Dana added: 'Our plan for the week is to go to the beach every day and hit the clubs every night.'
According to the local tourist board, last weekend's shenanigans were just the start of the Spring Break influx, with thousands more expected over the next two weeks.
Daytona Beach, meanwhile, is expecting between 5,000 and 10,000 student vacationers next weekend alone, according to Chief Capri.
A man walks down the beach with his friend in a festive costume, surely heading to one of the many Beach Bash parties
Frat boys proudly show off their flag of Phi Delta Theta on the beach. Its most famous former members include Neil Armstrong and Bob Schieffer - but its chapter at the University of Central Florida was temporarily suspended over hazing allegations last month
The biggest numbers, however, are expected in South Padre Island, which will host a giant concert featuring rapper Lil' Wayne next Monday and a colossal Beach Bash the following day.
Unsurprisingly, the local police chief is preparing for action. 'Next week will be our busiest but calls are going up every day,' said Randy Smith.
He continued: 'We plan well ahead but you never know when criminal activity will occur. Most of the trouble is things like public intoxication, simple assaults and disorderly conduct [fighting].
'We want everyone to have fun while in South Padre Island but safely.'
Chief Whitman, of Panama City Beach, added: 'Use good common sense and remember – if it's against the law where you come from, it probably is here too.'
A message that many of the students in his town for Spring Break appear all too happy to ignore.
All smiles: Not everybody misbehaves on Spring Break - and police point out that the numbers of arrests are down, and that the alcohol ban is working on the beach
Too rowdy: One party-goer needed to be steadily held so as not to fall backwards into the ocean - but still held onto his drink
But some spring breakers seemed to find time amid the crazy partying for a little beach romance
This year, tens of thousands of students head to Panama City Beach, as well as other Florida resorts such as Daytona Beach and Fort Lauderdale, and Texas hotspot South Padre Island for Spring Break
A total of 18 arrests were made in Panama City Beach over the weekend of February 3-5 – the majority for underage drinking and disorderly conduct. Chief Whitman, of Panama City Beach, said: 'Use good common sense and remember – if it's against the law where you come from, it probably is here too'
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4295400/Spring-Breakers-defy-drink-ban-twerk-flash-fight.html#ixzz4axnw6sVs
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