I went to the beach last year (60 miles away) on a lovely hot day and realised when I got there it was probably possible to swim in the sea but had no kit with me. I could have gone in the nude I suppose as it was deserted but had no towel either.
David. you should have gone to a cheap or charity shop for a towel-my sister did once years ago, for her kids threatened to go in in there clothes, so she got one and then they ran around after to dry undies