The interior department of the Consell de Formentera, whose remit includes the island's beach lifeguard and rescue service, reports that the service's annual halt in summer operations took place last week. The team worked from May 1 to October 31. For six months, a team that numbered as many as 23 lifeguards worked to assure the safety of Formentera's beaches and swimming areas. Department head Josep Marí applauded lifeguards’ efforts, underscoring the “dedication and professionalism” of the team.
Incidents in summer 2019
Lifeguards responded to 2,753 cases involving everything sun burns to spills, cuts, scrapes and bumps. They also assisted in stings by greater weever (a poisonous fish), sea urchins and jellyfish—at 2,264, this last group was the largest.
Thirty-nine individuals were rescued from potentially dangerous situations in the water, a type of rescue most common when the yellow flag flies, which means beachgoers can still swim but are encouraged to apply caution, something some fail to take into account. Likewise, a total of 24 people were taken to hospital in ambulance.
The interior office is saddened to report on loss of life—the victim was struck by a moving vehicle—near Cavall d’en Borràs beach this July. Red-flag days, when swimmers are expressly banned from entering the water, made up for 46 days this summer.
Formentera beaches: accessible and equipped for heart-attack response
Arenals and Es Pujols beaches feature accessible-swimming options for individuals with reduced mobility. The service, available from 12 noon to 5.00pm when the green flag flies, was requested this year by 36 people. All lifeguard posts without exception are fitted with defibrilators to assist in cases of possible cardiopulmonary arrest.
6 November 2019
Department of Communication
Consell de Formentera
This weekend, local dance troupe Es Pastorells took part in a music-themed gathering on Gran Canaria. Joined at the encounter by Canary Islands groups Facaracas and Acataifa, the Formentera dancers demonstrated typical ball pagès footwork, marking the repayment of a visit by the Canarian dancers in March, when they came to attend our island’s second Festival Folklòric.
When London’s World Travel Market tourism expo opened its doors today, Consell de Formentera president and tourism chief Alejandra Ferrer was once again on hand to represent the island with director of tourism Carles Bernús. Formentera will share a stand at this year’s event with the other Balearic Islands, while sustainability and environmental and cultural values will occupy a central place among the island’s talking points.
Formentera’s culture department has unveiled local libraries’ November activities calendar—a programme replete with four book launches and as many activities specially-tuned for kids.
The Consell de Formentera’s department for language policy and the Language Advisory Service (Servei d’Assessorament Lingüístic, or SAL) announce enrolment has concluded for the first module of the offices’ 2019-2020 offering of Catalan courses for adults. Two-hundred and ten islanders have signed up to take part in morning, afternoon or night classes in one of five levels (two A2 groups, two B1, two B2, two C1/C2).