The Oceanman swimming event scheduled at Caranzalem on Sunday had to be called off midway, bringing an abrupt and bizarre end to this mega sea race. A fiery face-off between 'ramponkars' and event organisers led to the disruption of the event and subsequent cancellation, leaving hundreds of participants from across the country in the lurch.
While the local fisherfolk were bitter about not being informed about the event, the organisers maintained that necessary permissions were obtained from the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority, and claimed that the Tourism Department and Police were also informed.
The Oceanman is a global series of open-water swimming events held in scenic locations in Europe and the Americas, featuring various race distances for different skill levels, from professional athletes to beginners, and even kids. The series includes races, a coaching certification programme, and festive post-race celebrations. Some events in the series are official qualifiers for the Oceanman World championship scheduled in Dubai later this year.
The Caranzalem incident may have disappointed those looking at Goa as a free-wheeling beach destination, but on the flip side, it has exposed a stark reality surrounding beach sports and events, regulatory oversights, and most importantly, the failure to engage local stakeholders.
Firstly, the organisers have claimed to have obtained the clearance from the GCZMA. That’s fine. But what about other clearances? A formal police clearance was needed since this was a mega sports event. What about the Fisheries Department and the CCP? How was the organiser allowed to proceed with an event for which he has no mandate from other departments? This clearly shows that we don’t have a mechanism to monitor what’s happening on our beaches. If the fisherfolk did not protest, the event would have continued irrespective of the clearances.
Furthermore, whatever the case may be, in the fast-paced commercialisation era, the traditional fishermen whose livelihoods are dependent on the seas cannot be taken for granted. The fishermen’s protest was not merely a disruptive act but a manifestation of the long-standing grievances over unregulated water activities encroaching upon traditional fishing zones caring less for the community.
Going ahead with the event when the fishermen had already laid their nets in the seas meant that the organisers did not factor in the risks to the lives of swimmers. The fact that some swimmers attempted to complete the race independently after the cancellation demonstrates their commitment, but also exposes the vulnerabilities created by poor planning.
Goa has seen a broader trend where commercial water sports events are often organized without adequate consultation with traditional communities, who have historically relied on these waters for their livelihoods. The underlying tension between tourism-driven development and traditional coastal livelihoods is visible. While tourism is vital for economic growth, it must not come at the cost of trampling upon community rights. The fishermen’s longstanding complaints about unregulated water sports interfering with their fishing zones are well-documented.
Lastly, while some departments have remained silent, a few have voiced their reactions. The Directorate of Fisheries stated that a NoC from the department is not mandatory, while the Tourism Department and the CCP remained mum. The police had their say. The question is, why is there no single-window clearance for sports events on beaches? Why are there so many gaps in protocol? The incident should serve as a wake-up call for the government to chalk out clear policies.
The abrupt end to the Oceanman event at Caranzalem is not merely a local spat but a reflection of deeper systemic issues. It has highlighted the absolute need for community engagement, robust regulation, and safety protocols in coastal tourism. Let’s not forget, when there is no clarity, there is always chaos.
