Rowing for repairs
Local club crowdfunds new gear after Storm Gloria destruction
A ROWING club whose equipment was destroyed by Storm Gloria has set up a crowdfunding page to replace it all.
“There's nothing left,” says devastated Boga Club del Mar chairman Rafa Bustamante.
The storm tore down the beach huts where the rowing gear was stored, and everything that was not smashed was washed out to sea.
A few broken parts were found days later around 200 metres away.
Even after the storm passed, Boga Club del Mar has been unable to get back onto the water, as it needs around €40,000 to €50,000 to replace or repair its equipment and the 15 storage huts.
A small sailing school with 10 boats designed for various types of competition, Boga Club del Mar has decided it is not worth setting up on the seafront again as storms like Gloria are 'bound to happen again'.
But it needs to find somewhere to put its gear once it is replaced or fixed.
The crowdfunding campaign is not seeking the full
€50,000, but 'any help given will be really welcome', says Bustamante.
Boga Club del Mar has given rowing lessons to young people at the Las Rotas children's shelter and to children in La Sella, and provided its equipment to other rowing teams from across Europe to train with when visiting Dénia – even their own rival competitors.
The club has contacted Dénia council for assistance, but not received a response.
It is unclear whether they are insured, and if so, whether their policy covers all, or part of the damage – or alternatively, whether they will be eligible for repair funds from the national Insurance Compensation Consortium, which covers loss and damage from natural disasters.
skett@cbnew.es