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THE INDEPENDENT ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER WITH LOCAL, NATIONAL ATIONAL AND INTERN A INTERNATIONAL ATIONAL N A NEWS EWS
FRIDAY 10th JULY TO THURSDAY 23RD JULY 2015 ACTIVITIES &
Adventure
PLEA TO “PREVENT DROWNINGS”
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major safety organisation is calling for urgent action following new concerns about the number of people who drown in the ocean or pools in Spain. According to the Royal Spanish Federation of Lifesaving, there were 75 deaths in Spain during the first six months of 2015 and 22 of these were in the Canary Islands. A dozen were in Tenerife. Tourism chiefs have always said there is no cause for alarm or panic as the oceans here are safe IF treated with respect and care is taken, including watching out for warning flags and not being reckless. In addition, no-one should under-estimate the power of the currents, particularly if it is very windy. Statistics might also be affected because in the Canaries, people can swim all year round because of the good weather conditions and, of course, there are millions of visitors. As the weather hots up, many councils across Tenerife have been announcing a raft of new safety plans for their individual beaches, including life-guards and Red Cross assistance. In the last fortnight, there have been several drownings on the islands, including in Buenavista del Norte, Los Silos, Arico and Gran Canaria, as well as a number of rescues. The Lifesaving Federation says there has never been a really thorough analysis of the drowning cases in the Canaries and Spain so it is not possible to say how or why the victims died (ie in some cases, it could have been through an existing heart problem or heart attack). However, their message is “Prevention today is the security of tomorrow” and they
remain concerned about the number of beaches which don’t have lifeguards and pools not properly watched over. The Federation report shows that half of the Spanish drownings (35) so far happened in June as the season gets underway. They say of the 22 drownings in Tenerife, 20 were at locations without lifeguards at the time, showing the huge importance of this service. In many beaches, the lifeguard service does not begin until July. Of those who died, 42 per cent were foreigners. One of the organisations also expressing concern is the political group Unidos por Gran Canaria which is one of the five municipalities of the Canaries with the greatest number of drownings. There were 21 deaths between 2006 and 2013. They say action must be taken around information, awareness and civic behaviour, with more information boards, warning signs (in four languages), police patrols and high-risk alerts. Safety information should also be announced on television, flights and boats. The Federation report shows that most of the drownings occur between 10am and 7pm and a third between 1pm and 4pm and 52.1 per cent are over the age of 45, with children under ten also at greatest risk. They would like to see all pools guarded by perimeter fences and more education in schools. The organisation also calls for more studies into zip currents and development of a national plan for water safety.
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ON TENERIFE PAGES 21- 24
PAGES 29- 36
A SPECIAL SUMMER WITH SANSOFÉ
It wouldn’t be summer without Sansofé and the 2015 festival in the coastal areas of Granadilla is even bigger and better than before.
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HE cultural event has become a reference point in the south, offering entertainment for all the family and no less than 45 attractions between now and the end of August. This is the 22nd edition of Sansofé and huge crowds are expected in both El Médano and Los Abrigos. Granadilla’s councillor for culture, Óscar Delgado Melo said the programme was more comprehensive and ambitious than in previous years, with many local groups represented. These include Aparrandados, the José Reyes Martín music band, Víctor and Timio, Enemigos Íntimos, Parranda Chasnera, Eladio Pérez and Neo Pinto amongst others. There will also be children’s shows and entertainment, concerts, games, open-air
cinema, sports, cultural activities, workshops, dance, folk performances, the traditional talent contest on August 7th and 8th, the World Windsurfing Championships, the Night Trail on July 19th and
“Sensations of Summer” tapas and wine on July 31st. As a novelty this year, there will be different musical activities on the main promenade of Los Abrigos “to energise and give life to this emblematic corner of the coast.” The programme began on Saturday with a 50th anniversary concert by Los Sabandeños in El Médano and a
children’s parade in Los Abrigos. All the activities are free and the council has extended a welcome to all to come and enjoy the delights of the coast with family and friends. The full programme can be downloaded at http://www.granadilladeabona.org/