"The Water Taxi dock to Red Frog filled with taxis (e.g., boats). $5 each way to Bocas Town."
Lifeguards of Red Frog Bocas del Toro
(meaning "Mouth of the Bull") is a province of Panama comprising an
archipelago off the Caribbean coast. Isla Colón, the main island, is home
to the capital, Bocas Town, a hub for dining, shopping and nightlife, with
reggae music emanating from open-air bars, beaches with calm waters for
swimming and learning to surf.
Bocas Town has a small airport and is a stepping off point to the many surrounding islands. Red Frog Beach is the most popular beach in the islands of Bocas del Toro because of its location and beauty. One can surf gorgeous waves on Bastimentos Island, snorkel above the coral reef, lie on the white sand, take a night hike, or just stroll through the surf. A select few establishments offer all the convenience needed for a perfect day at the beach. This Panama Beach is unique because of the lush rainforest that fringes the sandy Caribbean beach. The beach is accessed by arriving from Bocas Town via 10 minute water taxi ride and then a 15 minute walk across from the calm water back of the island to the surf laden front of the island. You may spot a three-toed sloth as you walk across the island, a monkey, or a small red frog for which Red Beach derives its name. Spotting exotic wildlife on Red Frog Beach and the other beaches on Bastimentos Island is almost guaranteed. Four of the world's eight sea turtle species nest on Red Frog Beach.
For being among the most famous beaches in Panama, Red Frog Beach is only .75 miles wide. At each end of this Panama Beach there is a rock-peninsula outcropping. About 100 to 300 people visit this Panama Beach everyday. These guests are coming from the accommodations on Bastimentos island or day travelers taking water taxi from other Bocas del Toro hotels on the many other islands. The Caribbean beaches of Panama are considered by many to be superior to the Pacific beaches. The water is warmer, more blue, less tidal change, softer sand and the accompanying rainforest makes these beaches the best in Panama. Until recently, Red Frog beach was an unguarded beach.
Bocas Town has a small airport and is a stepping off point to the many surrounding islands. Red Frog Beach is the most popular beach in the islands of Bocas del Toro because of its location and beauty. One can surf gorgeous waves on Bastimentos Island, snorkel above the coral reef, lie on the white sand, take a night hike, or just stroll through the surf. A select few establishments offer all the convenience needed for a perfect day at the beach. This Panama Beach is unique because of the lush rainforest that fringes the sandy Caribbean beach. The beach is accessed by arriving from Bocas Town via 10 minute water taxi ride and then a 15 minute walk across from the calm water back of the island to the surf laden front of the island. You may spot a three-toed sloth as you walk across the island, a monkey, or a small red frog for which Red Beach derives its name. Spotting exotic wildlife on Red Frog Beach and the other beaches on Bastimentos Island is almost guaranteed. Four of the world's eight sea turtle species nest on Red Frog Beach.
For being among the most famous beaches in Panama, Red Frog Beach is only .75 miles wide. At each end of this Panama Beach there is a rock-peninsula outcropping. About 100 to 300 people visit this Panama Beach everyday. These guests are coming from the accommodations on Bastimentos island or day travelers taking water taxi from other Bocas del Toro hotels on the many other islands. The Caribbean beaches of Panama are considered by many to be superior to the Pacific beaches. The water is warmer, more blue, less tidal change, softer sand and the accompanying rainforest makes these beaches the best in Panama. Until recently, Red Frog beach was an unguarded beach.
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| photo source: ed frog bungalow eco ocean website |
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| Red Frog Beach |
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| photo source: ed frog bungalow eco ocean website |
With an average 2-3 foot surf break that can peak with
10 foot surf on large days, shifting sand bars and strong rip rides it was not
unusual for a tourist to find themselves in trouble at Red Frog. One man
often came to the rescue of these swimmers in distress by volunteering his
superior waterman skills in the turbulent surf. Scott Balogh, a longtime
surfer from the shores of California operates both Red Frog Bungalows Eco-Ocean
Resort and Nachyo Mamma's taco stand on Red Frog beach.
Scott rescued swimmers
so often it began to rival his duties as proprietor of his two outstanding and
thriving businesses. "It began to become stressful going to the
beach and worrying about someone drowning everyday" said Scott. So
he organized the three establishments on the beach to hire a privately funded
lifeguard. He then petitioned the Panama government for sanctioned
trained lifeguards. Panama requires pools to have trained guards.
His request was initially denied. Then in January 2015 a Canadian man
drowned when Scott was not there to help. The government took notice and
provided the trained guards for the beach. Scott and the other two
establishments oversee and pay the guards.
Divier Castiillo and Christopher Gracia,
both age 24, are two of the three lifeguards assigned to work Red Frog
beach. Each day they travel the 15 minutes by water taxi from Bocas Town
on nearby Colon island. They each work eight hour days, five or six days per
week. There are no other relief guards. Christopher and Divier use
the uniform warning flag system in use in many jurisdictions, including the entire
state of Florida. Accompanied with interpretive signs to explain the
meaning of the flags and information signs describing rip currents, this
standardized system helps notify the public of conditions by reducing confusion
of other flag colors and symbols used from place to place. Green
indicates low hazard, yellow indicates medium hazard and red indicates high
hazard. Double red indicates a beach closure. Both lifeguards received
standardized training in a four month academy provided by the Panama National
Civil Protection System (SINAPROC), an agency established to implement all
policies and action plans aimed at public protection. The training is
primarily pool based but encompasses some beach training. Scott provides
additional informal training, such as instructing the guards in preventive
techniques.
Scott uses real life scenarios of pointing out potential
problems prior to them happening. Sure enough, his informal training
turned into a real life situation where a young swimmer fell off her bogey
board and the father struggled in a rip current. Both Christopher and
Divier sprang into action and ensured the safety of both swimmers. The Red Frog
lifeguard program began in February 2015. That first month, Christopher
made over 50 rescues personally. He makes nearly 20 rescues each month on
average. Earlier that morning Christopher rescued a German tourist woman
from a strong rip current. Upon hearing of the various educational
exchanges held around the world by the professionals of the Los Angeles County
lifeguards, Scott was enthusiastic for any additional training his new program
might receive. The lifeguard program developed by Scott Balogh and the
service Christopher Gracia and Divier Castillo provide is invaluable in keeping
travelers safely returning home to their loved ones. These three men are
your true heroes.
Kevin Taylor
(Copyright Text & Photos Kevin Taylor 2015. Used here with permission.)
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Below, Kevin Taylor, wearing his "Panama Red" shirt... Kevin was a LACo beach lifeguard for 25 years during summers both before and during his firefighting days.
Below, Kevin Taylor, wearing his "Panama Red" shirt... Kevin was a LACo beach lifeguard for 25 years during summers both before and during his firefighting days.
*** Many Thanks to Kevin for sharing his photos and remarks with all of us! ***
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Until next time.....
"County Recurrent" News
http://CountyRecurrent.blogspot.com
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