The mood was cheerful and light at the Baker entrance this morning as area surfers had their first encounter with the new NCA board scanning machine. Our alert readers will recall that the Nosara Conservation Alliance (NCA) last month – after nearly 12 years of research – finally identified coconut surf wax as the main reason for the persistent ocean pollution near the Bakers’ entrance – and took the bold step of banning coconut wax entirely in the Maritime Zone.

The board scanning process seemed to work smoothly when Nosara Lately was on the scene. No boards were found to have coconut wax, though two girls who had just arrived from Tamarindo set off the scanner alarm as they walked past. The false positive was quickly traced to two sample-sized bottles of Coconut Alderberry Full Volume Conditioner they found stocked in their Airbnb.

“We are being flexible about these things until people get accustomed to the new procedure,” said NCA spokesperson Andrés Venegas Picado, “but people need to start taking a good look at their hair products and body lotions, and start adjusting to the new realities.”

Picado went on to note that the system will require good cooperation from local surfers and beachgoers. All boards must be placed fins-down on the belt, and during peak arribada season, sandals and small infants will be sent through the machine as an extra precaution. Once area residents are accustomed to the procedure, said Picado, the scanning machine should be able to handle approximately one board every 90 seconds, or one infant every 60 seconds. Infants should also be placed face down on the belt, added Picado.

Nosara Lately has crunched the numbers and estimates that in high season, the scanning process will reduce the flow of surfers onto the beach during peak morning hours by as much as 30%  –  resulting in better surfing conditions for all area residents.