Greek coast guard officers were scrambling to prevent local youth from diving into the wash of a departing ship from the island of Sikinos as part of a long-standing “rite” that marks the end of summer.
A video shows a group of youths evading Coast Guard officers, who are trying to catch them, and jumping into the churning water left behind by a tourist vessel sailing away from the port of the island, located in the Cycladic cluster of islands between the islands of Ios and Folegandros.
Although the custom of diving into the wake of a departing ship is popular across many Greek islands, drawing young people and bystanders, Greek authorities are trying to clamp down on the tradition due to its obvious risks.
Despite their efforts, the officers failed to control the youth, who managed to dive into the churning waters caused by the ship’s propellers, thus bidding farewell to the visitors.
@fotis_ang Απονεριστες στην Σίκινο #aponeristas #sikinos #kapetanios #greekislands #tik_tok ♬ Chariots Of Fire (Original) – The Flame
