Dangers at Vega Beach Reduces Swimming Area To 100 Meters

-- Sand Has Been Lost and the Drainage Pipe from the Ana Mine Is Now Visible
-- The Beach Is Expected to Return to Normal When the Waves Calm Down

Source: Juan garcia, El Comercio, July 4, 2007

The physical changes experienced by the Vega Beach on this strip of coast near Ribadesella has obliged swimmers and other users of the beach to be restricted to a smaller area. The beach measures approximately 2 km long, but the swimming area has been limited to just 100 meters, a space that could change as conditions change. The new space reserved for the practice of swimming has moved to the west. Rate now it is situated to the right of La Mejillonera, in the center of the beach, whereas in other years it has been on the east of the beach, in front of the lifesaving station. This has meant that one of the lifeguard chairs has had to be placed above the dunes, facing the new swimming area. The second lifeguard chair is staying in the accustomed location so that bathers will not splash about and play in the now restricted area.

The new physical and sediment characteristics of Vega Beach have radically changed following the strong storms of this past winter and the recent increase in size of the river Acebu. The beach has lost much sand, increased its inclination, and created many new deep spots that are dangerous for swimmers. In addition, the drainage pipe from the washing process of the Ana mine is now visible. This travels the knee in the sand following the path of the river, but the strong erosion in the last months means that it is perfectly visible for the last stage.

For its part, the banks of the river have been covered by huge masses of wood which form natural dams and are causing erosive effect. The area where the mouth of the river flows into the ocean has also experienced a profound transformation. Where's before the river emptied into the ocean in a perpendicular manner, now it crosses across the beach in a parallel fashion, towards the right-hand side of the beach, a change which means that new and significant currents of water run along the beach strip.

Hopefully everything will return to normal when the waves calm down, but it is perhaps too soon to say. Nonetheless, Vega Beach is more dangerous today than in preceding summers. For this reason, the lifeguard service is practicing extra vigilance, but is also counting on the good behavior of the beaches users and that they take precautions and follow the signs that up and put up describing the new areas of the beach.

So far, this year has not received many swimmers. The bad weather has not permitted it. But in the past summer, Vega Beach counted no less than 85,000 visitors. In addition, this beach is often visited by surfing aficionados, but the physical changes of the beach have meant that they have lost some of their best waves.

To guarantee the security of everyone swimmers and surfers, the lifeguard service now includes six lifeguards assigned to this beach eight-team which has at its disposition a kayak and a motorized boat this last piece of equipment injured into service just this week, after a course in instruction in Ribadesella.