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Shark Lookouts

The shark lookout team securing surf spots

The Reinforced Shark Lookouts security system is based on the surveillance of a surfing area (and similar activities) by a group of lookout swimmers coordinated by a management team, supported by technological means (underwater and airborne cameras). ), resources on land (tent, rescue, etc.) and navigation resources (2 boats). It is an iti-
-nantant which is deployed on a practice site (among 7 sites) in the municipalities of Saint-Paul, Trois-Bassins and Etang Salé. This device  was created in January 2015 by the association La Ligue Réunionnaise de Surf (LRS). It succeeded the Shark Monitoring system initiated and tested in 2012.

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The Reinforced Shark Lookouts system was built and continuously improved by experts in their field: freedivers, surfers, divers, defense experts, etc. VRR thus combines coordinated visual surveillance with technological tools that improve the field of action of human operators, their observation capacity, their communication capacity to alert, evacuate and quickly rescue in the event of an accident. The device has been the subject of scientific evaluations. It is established and governed by prefectural and municipal decrees.

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It is therefore a question of establishing a protocol for observing surf spots in order to detect the presence of sharks and to alert surfers. This protocol is reinforced by innovative technological tools as part of the operational implementation of VRR and is part of the overall shark risk reduction plan in Reunion.Without their deployments it is forbidden to surf.

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  • Observe: active and underwater observation using video surveillance and lookouts.

  • Alert: triggering of audible (fog horn, whistles) and visual (smoke) signals in the event of observation or contact with a potentially dangerous animal.

  • Evacuate: organization of evacuation of the area after an alert

 

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After years of experimentation, this system is now open to schools and the public under certain conditions.By taking a course you will be covered by the school's insurance and will not have any other formalities to complete.

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If you want to surf independently you will need a federal license (insurance) which you can take at a surf club like theRSC.

Once licensed, you will need to completea moral commitment contract, an information sheet, and pay a

annual contribution of 50 euros. All of these documents must be submitted during your first supervised session to the VRR manager present on the site.

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Opening time

The shark lookouts are open every day all year round subject to good weather conditions for good visibility underwater.

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Opening time

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Monday: 9am-3pm

Tuesday: 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Wednesday: 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Thursday: 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Friday: 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Saturday: 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Sunday: 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

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