Felicitaciones! Protection in Progress!

It looks like dreams are coming true. . .  not only for the residents of Bejuco but also for this select group of young men that have completed the rigorous training program with the Coast Guard to obtain their certificates of honor and move forward in their goals to offer themselves daily to watch, protect and save lives when needed on our beautiful playa.  

We were thrilled by the outpouring of donations to the program at the Bejuco New Years fundraiser that provided the funds to get started  and with the guidance of our local surf enthusiast, mentor and friend Deborah Crane (who has volunteered to manage the guardias) a schedule was implemented for the lifeguards to set up stations on the playa and begin their daily watch while they awaited the time to attend the training program.  There were many owners and visitors that have already sung their praises for assisting them in various needs while enjoying the beach such as helping a swimmer who was stung by a stingray and giving warning to swimmers of dangerous currents that should be avoided. 

Packed up with enough rations to provide their daily nourishment, eager determination and the excitement of a promising future ahead they attended classroom studies at the Academy followed by vigorous ocean training in Esterillos filled with experiences that they will carry with them for a lifetime.  I still grin when I recall Deborahs Facebook pic and post after her grocery shopping spree...

 "10 doz eggs, 10 doz tortillas, 10lbs beans,2 whole chickens, 2lbs cheese, 10 drink mixes, 3 lbs saugage, 12 salsa crifto, cooking oil.  This is partial supplies for Guard Camp.  Thank you so much Playa Bejuco!!! The guys leave in the morning. :)"  ~ Deb

To the graduates 
Dixon, Luis, Fabien and Geovanny

. . . We are so very proud of your accomplishments and we look forward to  your service, your friendships and your success!  May God Bless you all each day as you watch over our beach!

Special Thanks to all that contributed, the trainers,  instructors, volunteers, our Esterillos neighbors in training and to Deborah Crane  and her helpmeet Nancy, without whom this program would have never evolved!

Not just a piece of paper....  

Not just a plaque for the wall.....

....but a new beginning, a new opportunity, 

a privilege and an honor

to go out and protect that which is 

most precious of all....  LIVES!

EYES SAVE LIVES!

And of course we cannot end without asking for the order.....

Please remember that this is a volunteer program and it's success will depend on this community to continue to support it.  The previous donations were instrumental in the purchase of equipment and training but we will need the community to come together as a group by making individual pledges to cover the expenses of having the lifeguards on our beach everyday.  We ask that ALL of the Local Residents, Owners, Renters, Visitors and Businesses reach into your pockets and make that "feel good" donation to promote this program to continue to offer that single most precious feeling 

"peace of mind" when our friends, family, visitors and neighbors enter the waters to enjoy a day of rest, relaxation and tranquility.

No donation is too small....  $10 per month per household could make such a difference!  Or maybe you would prefer to to submit an annual donation of $100.  There is a PayPal account set up for those of you that are not present or you can just drop your gift off to Deb.  

For more information please email to:

PlayaBejucoGuardaVidas@hotmail.com

You may view our previous postings about the lifeguard program @

Lifeguards for Playa Bejuco

Eyes Save Lives!

 

Documentary Photos compliments of Deborah Crane   

who hung with the guys to share in their journey and preserve some great memories!

SAVED LIVES = 

 

 

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!