Cover photo: Juanchi Arca, a top Mar del Plata native, does the bottom turn at a gem in the south of the city. Credit: Fernando Arca

The value of surfing in Mar del Plata transcends borders.

1989 World Champion Martin Potter surfed the legendary Cabo Corrientes wave and showcased La Feliz for the world to see in the prestigious Surfer magazine.

For five years, Mar del Plata was the key stage in the surfing world championship to define the best in the world.

In 1999 the Pan American surfing championship was held in Mar del Plata.

Five world champions were born or raised in Mar del Plata: Lele Usuna, Santi Muñiz and Nacho Gundensen.

Mar del Plata is not only the capital of Argentine surfing but is also one of the capitals of Latin and world surfing.

Surfing, it has been proven, does not generate crowds of people or the spread of the virus, or anything, absolutely nothing that is dangerous in the new context.

All Latin American countries, with the exception of some regions of Chile, have legalized surfing.

In Peru, for example, where the virus has caused more deaths than China, the country where Covid was born, surfing is already free, because it is understood that it does not spread in the sea and the country achieves greater happiness in an economic environment that is complicated.

Abundant scientific studies, of the few that exist, but which maintain consensus, show that surfing does not cause contagion, that Covid is not transmitted in the sea.

How can this be? Why does Mar del Plata prohibit surfing but allow jogging along a populated coastal area?

It's ridiculous.

Authorities: Let one of the main engines of your city run free; in the difficult situation you are in, choose to say yes to those who only help by doing what they do.

Only an act of absolute ignorance can allow this unprecedented situation to continue over time.

The OK to surfing is the way, it is one more step towards recovery, towards a good new normal.