Chalk one up for the little man!
And it appears our efforts were not in vain! The people of Panama (and the world) have spoken and local authorities were forced to listen. According to the @redfrogbungalows Instagram, the construction of an allegedly illegal pier at Playa Paunch has been postponed. Please read below:
And does this not give you hope? Hope in the sense that we, the little people in this very big world, have the power to effect change through unified action? It warms my heart like puppy yawn.
Now, let’s break down this announcement.
The phrase, “on hold for more investigation” is ambiguous in nature, but it affords the Bocas del Toro locals time to strengthen their case. If they can prove that the project is in fact illegal, then maybe they can stop it entirely. Or maybe not, because, well, Central America and corruption go together like South America and corruption. Or North America and corruption, if we’re being honest.
When they get into the part about, “Keep the threats to yourselves and continue to be peaceful to get this situation resolved for once and for all. Let’s make our community in Bocas Del Toro be a positive role model for the rest of Panama and the rest of the world,” I can’t help but shudder.
It seems that in every positive movement around the world, there are a few (or many) wild individuals who take it too far. They feed off the movement’s energy but tend to alter its direction to fit their personal desires. Like the lunatics who kill cops under the blanket of BLM, or the lunatics who shoot up abortion clinics in the name of Christ.
By using a worthy cause to justify deplorable actions, the lunatics delegitimize the movement while simultaneously hurting innocent people. What a shitty pattern!
Here’s hoping they can settle this dispute practically and peacefully.
Living in #Bocas for 7 years has been a dream, but I have also seen how small and big money is stealing our beaches.
Most of the facts that I state below can be verified by documents shared by the community here >>
– https://www.facebook.com/gr…
Please Sign online petition HERE >> https://www.change.org/p/em…
I’ve also had the opportunity to swap stories with Bocas locals who’ve been here for for 60 years or more.
And they confirm that the deforestation of our coasts has led to land lost and erosion. We’ve lost in many parts of the Archipelago over 20 meters of land just because someone wanted a view and cut everything down.
Ernesto is building a 3 story restaurant and hotel (the first of its kind in the area), just behind the break at Paunch. I know for a fact, because I went to Ingeniería Municipal, that he only had permits for 1 story. He paid his fines and his bribes and thought he would get away with a pier in the same way too.
With corruption he got a permit by the Ministry of Environment to build a wooden dock. I say corruption because there are so many laws violated by his proposal that it’s not even a joke. So, he then got an architectural plan for a pier (a HUGE one), totally different from what the corrupt authority approved and was going to do it anyways.
The wooden dock would never make it as #KellySlater intially stated, and the pier would just be dangerous for everyone in the water. Needless to say drilling the reef.
Oh… and there are buoys where to anchor in Paunch. Behind and to one side of the break. Or just pay a local boatmen to drop you off and come back for you. You want to surf in other places? Save some cash and respect… simple. Surfers who travel on public buses know that.
Is this guy a real surfer? I’ve been next to him many times in the line up. And he’s never dropped in, so this comes as surprise to me, but you look at the facts, and they are very clear. I can say without a doubt that his Argentinean partner in Bocas is quite shady and does not share. They also changed names of beaches and breaks. Nothing against Argentinians, as right here in Bocas, there are AMAZING examples of amazing people from that great nation that I’m fortunate enough to call my friends, but not this Ernesto.
Then we did an online research of this individual’s reputation, and it’s quite dark to say the least. Corruption and killing. Go ahead and use google. I prefer duck duck go these days.
As for Ernesto living in Bocas, we don’t really know cause he just comes and goes in his helicopter… I’ve seen him twice in the last 12 months and I live here.
Today I talked with some of his workers. Go ask what they think. I started picking up the trash in the area as I always do, and now his workers came and help. That is good.
As for Ernesto cleaning dumpers, there could be nothing more far from the truth. That happened before he came here, maybe 8 years ago, and that was a community effort with the support of the Ministry of Tourism from another president’s time, maybe in 2009 so more lies.
The current mayor of Bocas himself has stated on live audio that he DID NOT and WILL NOT allow this to go forward. This was over a week when it went off. These magazines and Kelly Slater are giving hours of their time to 1 individual with billions who spreading lies. So I can only think, that you are not journalists, just sell outs. And you are making all of us, this community of Bocas surfers, also waste our time, cause we don’t have millions.
To Stab and Surfer and Surfline, I can only say that you are not representing your interests at all. Maybe Rob Machado, Greg Long or Ramon Navarro can give you some light if you only listen to pros?
Just in that area we used to have mangroves. There are drone photos. I have videos on myself that go way back. Other friends local and from abroad too. We have photos and videos from many months ago. Even years. Drone and land footage of how that area used to be.
We filed legal complaints but corruption won.
So when he started his greedy thing, we spoke loud and clear, and will continue until he listens to the community and STOPS for real.
This article is just BS for a billionaire spinning his PR machine. With all due respect but it’s just that.
In Bocas del Toro many people make a living from surfing tourists or just tourists wanting to enjoy the beaches. I am not one of them, but I do surf. I’m a 5 minute walk from Paunch, and have seen how the area is changing.
There is a simple solution, where us as a community are demanding that development happens in a certain way, allowing universal access to our beaches.
Build your hotels and restaurants on the other side of the road. Simple. Even better if you hire and train locals to work with you. Oh, and compost toilets and upcycle your trash instead of sending it to the jungle of Drago to burn.
We do not have infrastructure to grow. Have you seen our schools and hospitals? Have you seen the neighbourhoods where our poor live? Above shit? And this guy wants to appear as a hero? If you have zillions, then some classrooms like GIVE AND SURF do, and some PARKS please. Public. Specially if they are right on the beach and you want to do something. Skate ramps maybe?
We can also take lessons from all over the world how to stop the erosion.
And the only hill in the area, leave it PUBLIC so that all of us can still look at the surf from above without having to pay this billionaire to enjoy what nature gave us all.
Use a bike and your legs to get to the breaks, as most of us humans do who aren’t millionaires and don’t own a boat.
Make friends with locals, and earn our respect, and we’ll show you how to get into the breaks, without stepping on live coral reef.
We don’t wear booties like Ernesto and his friends do. We go bare foot over the sand and the rock. And then paddle through the whitewater. You know, duck dives? We like how John John Florences trains to duck dive.
Developers and private individuals, going hand in hand with corrupt authorities have closed access to many beaches all over the Archipelago.
Our constitution in Panama is quite clear stating that beaches should remain open to the public.
And climate change is just making things worst.
So, please head over to this facebook group and at least here what the community has to say >>
https://www.facebook.com/gr…
Otherwise, you are not welcome to surf Paunch. Nor to the right, nor to the left.
original west side represent
https://www.youtube.com/wat…
Charles! Back from China, with a new account! How many websites was your old account banned from? 10? 20?? 100?
Negatron, I love your blacklisting neo-fascism
PS Global Internet Government sounds groovy baby
The Ironic thing, this Red flog dude has whored out the whole region more than anyone because he wants to make money. If the owner didn’t have a business there, he would try keeping the place a secret, but not when $ is involved. Ok so the Argentine guy is a kook for trying to build this (actually i’m yet to meet a nice Argentine surfer, they are worse than Brazilian) but red frog really just wants the business to come his way on the other island. Invite some more pros to stay with you man, ask them to tag you on instagram if they stay for free $$$. You don’t see me tagging pros at the river wave of munich
has anyone whored out the eisbar?
Cue CIA Black Ops
Oh the hypocrisy! President of the Surfrider Foundation- Argentina is the one who wants to destroy the reef.
blood feud: Panama vs Argentina.
If that’s true I’m storming the Argentinian embassy to get things back on track.
Ex-President… I wonder why?
Selfish fucking locals. Have been practising my acid drops for days. You think I can sue someone for pain and sufffering?