A new, multilingual hazard sign is set to go up at Reynisfjara beach tomorrow.
The beautiful but potentially dangerous beach has been in the news a lot lately, and has become iconic of the discussion regarding the safety of tourists at places of natural wonder. Police have already begun watching over the beach, warning visitors of the deceptively strong undertow. However, as the police are now leaving their watch of the beach, another line of defense has been added.
The above sign will, starting to tomorrow, be present at Reynisfjara. It is the product of the engineering firm Efla, and was made by the sign company Merking ehf. The sign project, conducted in concert with South Iceland police, has the aim of being able to reach as many different kinds of tourists as possible. For this reason, it warns of the risks of getting too close to the water in multiple languages.
Böðvar Tómasson, the division manager of Fire and Risk at Efla, told Grapevine that in addition to the sign, the parking area at Reynisfjara will be cordoned with a chain fence. The available exit out of the parking lot and onto the beach will lead all tourists who use the parking lot to a walking path with steps which pass by the sign.
For the curious, a sneaker wave is a kind of rogue wave, occurring at a beach rather than on the open sea, which can appear without warning and be deceptively strong in force.
The Grapevine would like to emphasise, again, that the undertow at Reynisfjara is deceptively strong. Do not wade into its waters. Wherever you travel in Iceland, abide the safety warnings of your tour guides and any hazard signs around the area, and overall, exercise common sense when approaching forces of nature.
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