REUNION – A BLUE RIBBON ISLAND
(Posted 30th August 2015)
Reunion, the French Indian Ocean island located East of Madagascar, has in recent years established itself as a premier adventure holiday destination, offering way beyond just ordinary beach vacations but also a large variety of active adventure activities, both land and ocean based.
For locals is the island a real breeding ground for champions of water skiing and surfing. After the victory of Johanne Defay at the Vans 2015 US Open at the beginning of August, it was the turn of Jeremy Flores – also an Honorary Ambassador for Reunion – imposing himself on the Billabong Pro Tahiti 2015 on 27 August while wearing the French colours. Currently, these two are ranked sixth and seventh place respectively in the world rankings.
Today has an effective shark risk reduction plan come to bear fruits, primarily on the west coast of Reunion, mecca of water sports on the island. Various measures have been put in place, especially on the beaches of the municipality of Saint-Paul. Among those measures are targeted shark fishing, shark lookouts and the development of water sportsarenas. On the beaches of Boucan Canot and Roches Noires was it the installation of safety nets which commenced since the 20th of August. These devices allow now for a re-opening of these sites for the practice of swimming and water activities before the end of 2015.
In total, nearly 1.500 meters of nets will ultimately be developed. A similar work plan was also initiated at Three Pondswhere targeted shark fishing is already hugely effective. An additional safety net will be installed in 2016 with a re-opening of this iconic surfing site expected in the course of next year. In the east of Reunion is it the town of St. Benedict which is considering the deployment of added beach security measures in order to fully realize its tourism potential. For now though have the regulations implemented by the Prefecture shown promising results and have supported a resurgence of water sports activities.
For more information about Destination Reunion click on www.reunion.fr
