Sinaproc Issues Warning due to Strong Waves

The Civil defense agency Sinaproc patrolled the pacific beaches of Panama this early morning after declaring a 72 hour "Preventative Alert due to strong waves". We spoke with a Sinaproc officer in Playa Gorgona (near the fishing village) as she urged those sitting on the beach not to enter the water and attempted to get the attention of surfers in the water. The Sinarpoc officer told us the beach was closed, as it was very dangerous for surfers, swimmers and beach goers alike. Over the weekend the team responded to a tragic accident in Playa Malibu that claimed the life of a swimmer. The officer told us there was also a surfer missing and she spoke of another who had drowned, we cannot confirm either incident.

With little luck getting the attention of the group of 5 or 6 men in the water, she urged a surfer on the beach to wave for  the others to come in, as the police had been called. Approximately 10 minutes later a Sinaproc truck showed up with two officers who used a megaphone to call the remaining surfers in.

One man explained that he was an experienced surfer and wanted to take advantage of the waves today. He asked which beaches in the area would be open for surfing? The only beach that they confirmed he could surf at was Playa Serena, Coronado.

We received a report from Playa Serena after the morning encounter saying Sinaproc officials were attempting to get surfers and those on the beach to leave from that location as well. However, there efforts were not as successful, as there were many more surfers out in the water.

Though the Alert is in place until May 5, we are unsure if the patrols will continue into the week. If they do, with the continuance of swell, it will be interesting to see how local surfers take to the prohibition of surfing in the Bay of Panama.