The San Cristóbal de La Laguna City Council has declared a temporary closure of the swimming areas in Bajamar and Punta del Hidalgo due to the adverse consequences of coastal phenomena impacting the shoreline. Through a formal announcement, residents have been advised to avoid standing close to breaking waves and to refrain from engaging in activities like fishing in hazardous locations, and not to risk taking photos or videos of the sea conditions due to the dangers involved in these actions.
The coastline of La Laguna, famed for its natural beauty and swimming pools, can transform into a perilous environment within minutes because of powerful waves. Areas such as Bajamar, El Arenisco, Jover, and La Barranquera are popular spots frequented by both locals and visitors, yet their allure carries certain hazards, particularly when the ocean displays its more violent characteristics.
The monitoring and rescue services in these locations are overseen by Proactive, a team dedicated to safeguarding swimmers. However, as highlighted in an interview with DIARIO DE AVISOS by Alejandro Alemán, the service coordinator, the lagoon’s coastline faces significant challenges: “During winter, weekends, and public holidays, we are inundated with the number of personnel we have.”
Prevention and caution are essential to avert disasters
The insights of the lifeguards underline the significance of prevention and swift actions during emergency scenarios. “The issue isn’t so much with the locals, who are familiar with the tides, but rather with visitors who are unaware of the sea’s dangers,” Alemán elaborated.
Even with attempts to establish safe zones and alert the public about risks through signs and red flags, some individuals choose to disregard the guidance. As Alemán noted, “if someone disregards a red flag, we cannot impose sanctions as we are not the Local Police,” highlighting the necessity for increased public awareness.
Advice to mitigate risks
- Keep a safe distance from areas where waves crash.
- Avoid engaging in activities like fishing or photography in risky zones.
- Adhere to the instructions of the monitoring staff and the signage present along the coastline.
With the assistance of lifeguards and the cooperation of the public, there is hope to reduce risks during occurrences of coastal phenomena, always bearing in mind that prevention is the most effective means of saving lives.
⚠️ We closed the Bajamar and Punta del Hidalgo swimming areas due to coastal phenomena.
Given the pre-alert situation, we recommend:
✅ Do not stand near where the waves break pic.twitter.com/FCMthMOMBC— La Laguna City Council (@aytolalaguna_es) November 29, 2024
