What crackdown? Florida spring breakers fight for their right to party with ... trends now
Thousands of spring breakers cut loose as they hit the Florida sands, then each other, when high-energy spirits boiled over into brawls - and it's only Monday.
Groups of bikini-clad girls and jeering guys flocked to the packed-out Fort Lauderdale Beach where women could be seen brawling with each other in front of frat bros in boozed-fueled wrestling matches which sometimes turned violent.
Florida officials announced plans this year to impose some of the toughest restrictions at Miami Beach earlier this month after two deadly shootings broke out last year.
Curtailments include parking fees reaching $100 and early bar closures at 6pm in an attempt to rein in the chaos.
It means that much of the party has now moved 45 minutes north to Fort Lauderdale where authorities appear to be slightly more relaxed.
Florida beaches witnessed chaotic scenes as spring breakers descended upon the sands, as high-energy spirits boiled over into brawls
Groups of bikini-clad girls and jeering guys flocked to the packed-out beach where women could be seen brawling with each other in front of frat bros in boozed-fueled wrestling matches which sometimes turned violent.
Spring breakers wrestle on Las Olas Beach in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
Spring breakers party on Las Olas Beach in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida on Monday
Spring breakers seize the night at a beach just off Las Olas Beach in Fort Lauderdale
A ramped-up police presence was noticeable along the beach with officers on bicycles, buggies and SUVs seen patrolling the area. Others were seen leading K-9s between sun bathers on the crowded sands.
There was barely a patch of open sand to be had on some stretches of Fort Lauderdale Beach, often dubbed as 'Spring Break Central.'
Photographs from the first day of the long vacation show bikini-clad girls partying on the beach and cops patrolling the streets in large numbers.
Some girls, leaving little to the imagination, posed for photos in the ocean - presumably to make their pals stuck at home jealous of their tropical vacation.
Elsewhere, swathes of half-dressed youngsters danced at daytime parties on the beach, in the back of pickup trucks, and on boats rented out for the day.
A group of spring breakers pose for the camera, some with a drink in hand
A spring breaker does a backflip on Las Olas Beach in Fort Lauderdale
Spring breakers are see passed out after a long day of beach and night of drinking
The week is only just getting started with one girl receiving a dose of alcohol on Monday night
Despite it being dark, the spring breakers continued to wear their bikini tops into the night
Bars in Fort Lauderdale appeared packed as the party shifted from the beach to the bars
One DJ appeared to be having fun providing the evening's entertainment
A young couple appeared to be in high spirits as they posed for the camera with a drink
