Operation Nicaragua 2022 Recap
It’s been three years since ISLA last deployed a team of Lifeguards in Nicaragua. In the early spring of 2020, ISLA was finalizing plans with the Nicaraguan Red Cross to conduct a Lifeguard Training Academy. Unfortunately, our plans we’re put on hold as the COVID pandemic shut down most international travel. 2021 proved to be a challenging year as well for international development organizations, and ISLA was not immune to these challenges. Fortunately, ISLA was able to weather the storm and deploy a team of six volunteers to Nicaragua this year during the busy Easter week celebration. Our ISLA’s Team goal was simple, reestablish relations with Nicaraguan Red Cross and discus logistics to conduct a Lifeguard Training Academy in 2023.
Our ISLA’s Team met up just outside the airport in Managua, and was led by our newly promoted Marine Safety Officer Captain Jonathan Robinson. Captain Robinson was accompanied by our ISLA President Henry Reyes who was functioning as the Operation’s PIO by posting updates on social media. The Team spent the next two days getting to know each other, exploring a volcano, and touring the colonial lakeside city of Granada. The third day of the operation was spent meeting with senior Nicaraguan Red Cross officials in Managua, before heading out to the beaches of Nagarote.
After our meeting at the National Red Cross Headquarters in Managua, our ISLA Team reported to the Nagarote Red Cross Chapter. The team learned that they’d be staying in a old train station in Puerto Sandino which would be used as a basecamp for Red Cross volunteers that will be providing services to the beaches of Miramar, El Velero, and El Transito. As our ISLA Team was in route to Puerto Sandino, they came across a traffic accident with injuries (motorcyclist vs horse). ISLA Lifeguards assessed the patient, provided traffic control, and packaged the patient for transport. Unfortunately, the horse succumbed to it’s injuries.
For days 4 – 6 the ISLA team worked alongside the Nicaraguan Red Cross volunteers to keep the beaches safe. The surf was largest at El Transito (approx. 2 meters), with the swell peaking on day 5. The surf kept swimmers pushed in close to shore, and the ripcurrent danger was low. Beach crowds were moderate for the area, consisting of local tourist from the neighboring towns. On day six our ISLA lifeguards working the beach of Miramar had their work cut out for them, as the surf had died down a bit and allowed swimmers to venture out farther in the ocean. Connor & Wendy made two rescues at Miramar that day, each of them pulling out a swimmer out of a ripcurrent. The ISLA Team ended the sixth day by accompanying the Red Cross volunteers to a farewell beach party in Miramar.
ISLA would like to thank our hosts: The Nicaraguan Red Cross, Arly Corea, and Julio Molina. Our ISLA Team: Paul Buechner, Meli Garrone, Henry Reyes, Jonathan Robinson, Wendy Sanajko, and Connor Stratton. As well as all our ISLA Members & Donors who helped make this operation a reality. This operation was a success as our accomplished their objective of reestablishing relations with the Red Cross, and plans are now in motion to conduct a ISLA Lifeguard Training Academy in Nicaragua for February of 2023.
– MSO Henry Reyes
