Archive for April, 2009

Red Flag Sea

Saturday, April 11th, 2009

The last few days have been gradually suggesting that fall season is showing its face. The wind is cooler and the water is getting colder. However it has been warm enough to enjoy the day outdoors, on the beach, walking on a trail or practicing a sport.
I spent my day at Morro das Pedras, a southern beach with great views of Campeche island and Armação hill. Because of a cyclone passing near the coastline, there are big waves and some storm surge. Good conditions for surfers and red flag for most of us. All along Brazil southern coast, bigs waves are breaking in some places as high as 4 metres. As we approach winter, waves grow bigger in some days. I have done surfing a long time ago and I like the sport, but in present circumstances I prefer just to watch it for few minutes.
Despite having a good time in Morro das Pedras, I was disappointed to see that some large front beach condominiums are just blocking the access to the beach for at least 500 m. Unfortunately whoever built it just thought about the money and probably got incentives from someone in the city administration. People have the right to access the beach and the coastline belongs to the Navy. Unfortunately many buy the property because they want to live in a nice sea view house. However, as the ice melts a sudden sea level rise could submerge the sea front constructions soon or even a tsunami. Not impossible.