CAPUCCINO COAST FOAM HAZARD TOOK HIS LIFE
It’s been a year already. 365 days from the day one of my team mates , one of the girl friends who I see every week got the dreaded call. The call that changed her whole life, changed her and her being. As a mum I know this must be the biggest nightmare to have.
And yet in this day when we all try to support the news that a new seafoam and seawater zones alarm system is coming after investigation of measures after surf drama.
Let me take you back a year ago, today. The wind was great and for surfers a dream to go out. We have many beaches and Scheveningen is one of them. Her son waited till the best wind in the afternoon and went on to open sea with 4 friends, a surfers dream. Only this time the dream became a nightmare. He did not survive and died, together with 4 friends, only to be found 4 weeks later, in front of the shore of his beloved Scheveningen, The Hague.
Last year I debated to write this but I did because we may never forget. I wrote a blog about my team girlfriend that lost her son. he died in the sea of Scheveningen. He died in a unexpected nature hazard.
I hear you say nature hazard?
Yes nature can be harsh, unexpected and cruel. Twelve months a sudden and tragic event involving an extreme case of sea foam shocked the Dutch surf community and claimed the lives of five surfers. And hit the south of Holland hard because most of us also have a relation to one of the 5 boys who died. In response to this event, experts at Surfrider Europe had a closer look at sea foam also known as “spume”.
Source algemeen dagblad 🗞
That was the possible reason for the tragic accident. What are the health risks today? and does that Cappucino Coast as most call it when its vivisble on the sea and the beach need to be monitored as a hazard for beach guests. Although the event in the Netherlands caught the surf community by surprise, heavy foam occurrences like this is not a new phenomenon. In many parts of the globe including coastal stretches of the U.S., Scotland, and Eastern Australia, sea foam or ‘spume’ has been documented completely covering city streets in some bizarre videos online after heavy storms, an event characterized by the term “Cappuccino Coast.” Instances of foam have also been found around lakes and rivers.
See the Australian The Cappuccino Coast
This is amazing Nature at its beast and best. Nobody had expected this.
#amazingnature mother nature what happened?
Foam science, its a weird thing. Surfrider’s beachapedia explains that sea foam is created when wind or waves stir up seawater that contains high concentrations of dissolved organic matter (proteins, fats, dead algae). In an environment like a surf zone close where waves break regularly, these substances act as foaming agents, trapping air under turbulent conditions and forming persistent bubbles which stick to each other through surface tension. Due to its low density and persistence, foam can be blown by strong onshore winds from nearshore waters onto the beach.
We all seen it before , foam on the beach after a storm and might even have played with it !
Algal blooms are a common source of thick sea foams due to the large amount of dissolved organic matter. The nutrient matter found in algal blooms is usually from fertilizer and animal agriculture runoff. The presence of this matter, combined with an abundance of sunlight and high wind, can create extreme foam conditions. Sea foam can hold algal toxins or surface-active pollutants in its bubbles which release into the air and may cause irritation to eyes or pose a health risk for those with pre-existing respiratory health conditions.
While there is no scientific evidence to suggest that sea foam increases a risk of drowning, one resource suggests that foam can become so thick, that in some extreme cases it poses an additional risk to children. Small children because the foam can stack up high. But in this cas also experienced surfers ( 2 of them were urf teachers ) they came in a high wall ove possibly 4 meters so getting air was impossible.
Last year the Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ) released a report stating that: “The metres high seafoam during the fatal accident involving five surfers on 11 May in Scheveningen most probably arose due to an exceptional combination of many algal remains and, for this time of the year, an unusually strong north-northeasterly wind ... At present, the scientists advise providing information and training to lifeguards and people who practise water sports, because the development of a sufficiently automated warning system will take more time.”
What do we know about the type of foam?
Scientists at NIOZ tested foam samples collected on the day of the event and found large Phaeocystis Globose algae colony remains in high amounts never before recorded. The week before the incident was very sunny, providing the algae with a perfect environment to flourish. On May 10th, heavy clouds blew in which caused the algae colonies to die off and release their protein to create extreme amounts of foam.
Looking back into their database of satellite images and weather patterns, NIOZ found that the conditions for high foam events occur annually between April and May. From this study, we can conclude that ocean users in this area of the Netherlands should take special care in Spring while there are strong onshore winds.
What we don’t know about Phaeocystis Globose?
Increased preventative measures over the past several years have led to a decrease in algal blooms caused by nutrient runoff reaching the North Sea. However, according to NIOZ, the Phaeocystis Globose algae has defied this trend and remains extremely present in large colonies. Does the Phaeocystis Globose feed on other nutrients that we are not yet aware of? Was this unprecedented bloom an isolated incident or can we expect more events like these in the future? Research on Phaeocystis Globose and their part in the foam event, and predictability of future events is still ongoing. In addition, it still has not been officially confirmed how the foam played a role in the five casualties in the Netherlands. Both of these uncertainties will be monitored by Surfrider Europe, and updated in this article as soon as we have it. In small amounts, seafoam should not pose any danger to ocean users. However, this horrible loss reminds us that there are no rules in nature and abnormalities can occur at any time. Always check your local water quality, currents and other hazards before entering the ocean and be especially vigilant of high sea foam events during Spring season. To help reduce nutrient runoff and preserve water quality in your local area, please have a look at our Ocean Friendly Garden project.
This was made by friends of the surfers with a drone
I said it in the blog before and I want to leave with the poem from the card last year with a white surfboard as a symbol:
The sea tells all
The beach is mystical
Waves wash gently
You left in a moment
the sea of peace
Spheres that guide the inner
Wave currents that skim
Crowds are taken from you here
Shells spread out in front of your feet
Seaweed on the coastal strip you encounter
Dune belts on the edge
You peer towards eternity
Fishing vessels and gulls are your world now
Sea air makes you eternal
A board remains
When the day leaves us
As from now the Netherland beaches and especially the beach of Scheveningen will be alarmed when the foams is there and the weather and wind is involved. This is something also life guards learned from and take that with them in the experiences for the future. But the 5 roses will be missed!
I written about it before to never forget that life is to short,
Text is mine , and some of it I used in this blog again and I will do so to let the world not forget this tragic accident that took 5 lives.
its appreciated and remember always focus on being creative
instead of being bee-zy.
Consistent Actions Create Consistent Results.
Not everyone is a blogger but everyone has something great to offer.
I am a proud member off the #theTerminal #lifestylelounge #needleworkmonday and #ladiesofhive and #amazingnature .
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(c) All images and photographs, unless otherwise specified, are created and owned by me. @brittandjosie originals. Sources used : Pixabay and Pexels and with others its mentioned in my blog. I only use a canon camera and my iPhone.
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A tragic turn of events and a reminder that life can be snatched away at any moment really, and most unexpectedly.
It most certainly is, and the fact we had never had this happen at the dutch shore was the reason we now have a new alarm for that. But more tragic isnt possible. The white fish on the rocks in the video above are the boys its a monument now.
That YouTube video is also because down under this is apparently more common
We get it here too in places, but not really in my location thankfully.
I'm very sorry for the loss of those five angels dear friend @brittandjosie
Life is very short, no one has it, that is why we must enjoy every moment to the fullest.
I appreciate that, its indeed very tragic
So tragic. I remember it now you are talking about it but often we just go on and forget.
Dit was de week dat 4 van de 5 gevonden werden, de vijfde was de zoon van mijn team genoot en die werd 4 weken later gevonden. Dus deze weken waren ook no heel zwaar en alles is de eerste keer, erg zielig
That is such a heartfelt post, Britt. @brittandjosie I am so taken back by it. I am so sorry for your friend and all the other Mother's. It is a nightmare that every parent dreads.
The post is touching. Truly.
This is indeed the baddest dream ine can imagine. This may never be forgotten
❤️
The story you share is sad because of the death of the 5 young surfers and the impact on the community and their families.
The information and reflection you provide are important to learn from the experience and take the necessary precautions to prevent it from happening again.
The image of the five roses is a touching tribute to the young people.
I agree with you "life is short".
Regards
The five roses and the 5 fishes on the rocks near the shore are the monuments for the boys lost