Lifeguards for Playa Bejuco

Due to the past drownings, limited funds and lack of lifeguard service to our beautiful and tranquil Playa Bejuco we are pleased that efforts are being made to secure trained lifeguards to protect the locals and visitors that frequent the beach!

Most of the locals are fully aware of the dangers, but many tourists arrive on the playa with little knowledge of the dangers of the rip currents.  What can appear to be large fun waves can become a strong and angry riptide that can carry you quickly out to sea.  Bejuco is not considered a swimming beach.  It does offer amazing surf that attracts many surfers to attempt to claim a wave as their own.  On most any day you can see them sitting patiently on their boards on the horizon at the backside of the turning tides waiting to claim their ride of the day.  Bejuco is an amazingly tranquil and peaceful beach where you can enjoy long walks and collect thousands of interesting seashells while soaking up the sunshine and enjoying the breezes.  The waters edge is great for cooling off from the hot sun but it is best to not go into the waters without a floatation device like a surfboard or boogie board attached.

And so the desperate need for someone to watch, warn, protect and rescue the swimmers.  Who better to fulfill the need for lifeguard protection on our playa than some of our very own local young adult residents that revel in the opportunity for the education to better themselves while also offering themselves to serve their community, friends and families!  These boys were raised in the surf and already have a keen understanding of what it takes to save swimmers in trouble and to enforce warnings of unsafe surf conditions.  These boys come to us with high regard from our very own Bejuco resident Deborah Crane who has taken up much time with these boys guiding them forward in positive ways to spend their days and encourage good self esteem.  Deborah, who has a long and strong love of the surf herself is sponsoring the Lifeguard Program for Bejuco.

Here are the facts:   
Four of our local Bejuco boys will attend The Guarda Costa in Quepos for 10 days of training.  Two of these have previously worked with Cruz Rojo so already have some experience.   Upon completion and passing they will be among the first qualified Lifeguards in the country that were qualified by there own country and will patrol our beach.  We will have a rookie crew until the formal training is complete.

There will be a funding through IMAS that will pay 40% of their wages and the caja.  We are rallying for the rest of it to be donated by the community.  There is also a  need for donations for the training week and rescue gear.  The current goal amount to collect to get this program started is $5000.  This will then need to be followed up with monthly pledges  from Bejuco owners to supplement these lifeguard salaries and keep our beach safe.

More items on the wish list are lifeguard towers, back boards, rescue boards,  cervical collars, bikes,  walkie talkies, sunscreen and rescue buoys.
 

Geovanny ~ age 21
likes... surfing, reggae and the color green. 

Dreams of leaving here someday.

Fabian ~ 17
likes... surfing, combing his hair, 

Reggaeton, drawing  and the color blue.

Dixon ~ 18
 likes...  surfing, going to church and 

cutting his brother off on every wave 

possible.  Likes the color green.

Alexander ~ age 23
likes..  Reggaeton,  dancing,  painting,

the color red.  Trained by Cruz Rojo.

 

During this Christmas and Holiday season what better way can we give back to a community that offers us such an amazing life in paradise?   Please offer your support in protecting the lives of those very same people that live and vacation here with their friends and families.  Donate to this cause that not only will serve the community but will offer good jobs to local boys that are eager for the opportunity to excel and improve their lives.

What a great idea it is to sponsor this fund raiser for Bejuco around the approaching New Years Eve holiday party in Costa del Sol so that we may enter 2013 with peace of mind in knowing that this community can move forward and prosper in a positive way.  

Eyes Save Lives!

A Happy, Safe and Prosperous 

New Year to You All!

 Feliz Año Nuevo!