Are you prepared?
Are you an excellent swimmer?
Can you spot a dangerous situation before you enter the ocean?
Will you swim sideways long enough to be set free from the current?
Do you know not to panic in a rip?
I am not sure any of us ask these questions of ourselves before diving into our beach vacation.We just see that big blue ocean and run into her, that is vacation!!
Sometimes fun turns into tradegy, as it has in my community too many times. Costa Rica's beaches are beautiful and the oceans currents are dangerous.
Earlier this year residents of Playa Bejuco and Esterillos Oeste, two beaches with high death counts, were selected to train with the Coast Guard of Costa Rica. Consideration for the Guardavidas program was prompted by Community Activists as both beach communitites had multiple drownings in 2011. This program is the first to give Coast Guard training to men and women who are not members of the Coast Guard.
Sadly, most beaches in Costa Rica do not have any LifeGuards. Some communities recognize the effectiveness of Lifegaurds watching and preventing swimmers from entering during dangerous times. Unfortunately the reality is there is no official funding available for these jobs. There are those that are lobbying hard to change that.
Great post Deb! We commend you for your dedication and hard work to support and organize this great cause that will benefit locals and vacationers alike while enjoying the Pura Vida of our beautiful playa! We are here to support you in this endeavor and offer our sincere appreciation to these fine young men! EYES SAVE LIVES!
ReplyDeleteThe two large hotels and the two gated communities at Bejuco beach can easily "jointly" afford life guards at the beach, and a security guard on a motorcycle, to combat the growing number of muggings at that beach. I don't know why thos establishments are so dam cheap, it's their patrons and residents that are using the beach daily.
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