It is the sense of disbelief that is evident in a post by the lifeguards in Puerto de la Cruz. The „Socorristas Guardavidas Puerto de la Cruz“ filmed a mobile phone video and posted it online. It shows two swimmers going for a swim despite the red flag – and putting their lives at risk.
The video is set in Puerto de la Cruz in the north of Tenerife. San Telmo Beach is regularly closed when the waves are high. This is due to the numerous volcanic rocks at this spot in front of the town’s promenade.
Anyone who goes swimming in rocky areas when the waves are high is putting their life in immediate danger. The force of the waves is often enough to hurl swimmers against the rocks. Stunned or even knocked unconscious by the impact, they have no chance of saving themselves under their own steam. And the video also shows the run-up to this:
Video shows reckless swimmers in Puerto de la Cruz
The lifeguards shared the clip, which was filmed twice, to warn others about similar situations. The video shows how the waves prevent the swimmers from getting out of the water.
The association does not merely criticise a reckless attitude towards one’s own life. Rather, it argues that it is ignorant to endanger lifeguards in this way. „This is why we sometimes have to close access points: irresponsibility and inconsiderate behaviour – particularly on the part of holidaymakers,“ the post states.
The authorities have also spoken out. They state that actions such as these are punishable by fines of up to 500 euros.
This incident is one of many that have occurred in recent weeks. Just recently, a cliff-diver was filmed right next door as he jumped from the promenade into the sea – also at a rocky spot off San Telmo. The resulting video clip sparked a major debate:
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