Controversy over race to get a good spot on the beaches of Oropesa

The races to plant your umbrella and deck chair at a good spot on the Oropesa beachfront could soon end under new regulations.

The races to get a good spot on the Oropesa beachfront could soon end. It is a common practice on this beach to race down at 9am and secure the best spot on the sand.

However, latest police actions now mean the practice will be delayed, meaning new regulations will make it forbidden to reserve a spot and then leave your belongings. If it is thought that anyone is reserving a space on the sand and no one is present, the belongings can be removed.

The regulations have resulted in the seizure of nearly 60 bathers’ belongings.

The new regulations are still pending, according to the Beaches councillor Jordi Llopis. At the moment, the practise still takes place on the sandy areas of the beach.

The races can be seen from 9am, with neighbours in the area taking videos of the hoards of people rushing to get their spot. According to locals and holidaymakers, “it is difficult to find a free plot in front of the sea if you do not come running first thing in the morning.”

Additionally, some people even organise in groups to leave their belongings on the beach early in the morning and make sure there is always someone watching their things while they leave to eat breakfast or lunch, ensuring they still have a spot on their return!

The council is so far achieving one of its objectives, such as making sure that the beaches are free of belongings first thing in the morning so that the tractors can condition the sand, as people used to arrive early and make this task difficult.

The Local Police will continue with sporadic actions to continue combating this routine, which the government team has already called “inappropriate” and “selfish”, el periodico Mediterraneo reports.

Thank you for reading, and don’t forget to check The Euro Weekly News for all your up-to-date local and international news stories.