The Torallamar oceanographic and meteorological information portal, developed by the Physical Oceanography Group and staff from the Marine Research Center of the University of Vigo, has consolidated this summer as a reference observatory for the long-distance swimming crossings held in recent months in the Rías Baixas, including the Cíes Islands Challenge (10 km), the Battle of Rande (27 km), Arousaman (13 km) or the Atlantic Islands Triple Crown (28 km).
The center has been offering real-time measurements of meteorological conditions (temperature, wind and relative humidity) and oceanographic conditions (water temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, etc.) on the island of Toralla for more than four years. From the beginning, they have placed special emphasis on disseminating this data not only through their website, but also through social networks, broadcasting three parts each day (morning, noon and night). “This has also been very well received by beach users, mainly on Vao due to its proximity,” explains Jose González, from the Oceanography Unit.
Constant increase of followers on social networks
On social networks, the observatory achieved an average of 15,000 daily impressions this summer, more than double what it achieved at the same time in 2014. “The reach of the information published is greater in the summer, in fact we had days when we exceeded 30,000 impressions”, emphasizes González, to which he adds that, in general, the number of followers is maintained throughout the year and even continues to increase, although at a slower rate, during the winter months. “Many people use the published information as a reference for the weather in Vigo, which means that the followers are maintained throughout the year”, emphasizes the Oceanography Unit.
Most of the followers are from Vigo and its region (Ponteareas, Redondela, Nigrán, Mos, Cangas, Moaña…), but the group that consults the observatory’s information from different points in the rest of Galicia, Spain (especially Andalusia) and from places as distant as the United States, Indonesia or India is also important.
In addition to beach users, who can check the water temperature in real time, fishermen and divers are also regular followers of Torallamar, as it provides them with detailed information about currents and the degree of water visibility, as well as athletes, especially those who practice windsurfing or kitesurfing, as it is the best way to know the local wind data that is recorded at any given moment.
Source: duvi
