The British idea of a day at the sea-side is warped. I go to the sea to swim, to surf or veg. If the weather isn't agreeable, then it's listening to the waves and the gulls, watching the ocean and perhaps scouring the sand for shells. All the peaceful stuff. I leave with the same feeling as I get after reading Jonathan Livingstone Seagull. (reminder to read it again)
By contrast, the Brighton pier is spoilt by commercialism, the sea is spoilt by Jet-skiiers (would take a rifle to the lot of them), and the calm is spoilt by my whining.
@calm-spoiling activity :P