Surfers vs. Water Pollution

SURFERS vs WATER POLLUTION

Why is water pollution dangerous for surfers and what do surfers think about risking their health to go out to surf?

A Photobook by Jack Phillips

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Litter from the recent rainstorm is seen entering the water adding to the pollution.

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30% of the ocean's pollutants get into the ocean through storm drains.

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Large storms in California, cause trash and pollutants to enter our ocean. As a result of this, the ocean becomes polluted which poses a threat to local surfers. These pollutants include motor oil, detergents, pesticides, sewage, and more. Frequent rainstorms cause the water to become contaminated with various pollutants that can cause severe illness for surfers. The government health departments advise avoiding contact with the water near storm drains, creeks, and rivers where runoff spills into the ocean.

Local surfer scores great waves without thinking about the risks of water pollution.

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Surfers in particular are most likely to experience harm from water pollution. Out of all the groups of people who use the ocean, surfers visit the beach and ocean the most frequently. They also engage with the ocean for recreation all year. Adding on, surfers fully immerse themselves into the ocean each time they go for a surf, some on a daily basis. Surfers additionally spend more time in the water per visit and ingest 10 times more water than swimmers and divers which leads to an increase in exposure to dangerous pathogens and amoeba in contaminated water. When surfers are exposed to pathogens and amoeba in polluted water, they have a high likelihood of contracting harmful diseases from the polluted water. These diseases include giardiasis, amoebic dysentery, skin rashes, or pink eye.

After speaking with local surfers who had surfed during the recent storm, it can be concluded that the reason for surfers risking their health to surf in the rain is due to big and consistent waves. Major storms offer swells that are less frequent during fair weather. The big waves provided by the storms tend to have an enticing and luring effect on surfers which brings them out into the water, no matter the health risks.
For most surfers, big and consistent waves are not enough for them to get in the water after significant rain storms. Owen Sedlik, a surfer from the South Bay, states that the last time he surfed after a big storm he got extremely sick and couldn’t do anything for a long time. He also argues that it's important to be more cautious about when it is okay to go surf in order to prevent severe sickness. Dave Ludwig, another local South Bay surfer, says that the only time he surfs after major storms is if and only if the waves are perfect. If the waves are not good he won't go out because it's too risky for his health.

Los Angeles County Lifeguards provide warnings to surfers to not surf unit 72 hours after a major rainstorm.

ABOUT THE JOURNALIST

Jack Phillips is a photographer from Manhattan Beach, CA. He attends Mira Costa where he learns how to take unique and authentic photographs and uses them in weekly photo assignments relating to a variety of photography concepts. He is also an avid surfer who enjoys telling stories that relate to surfers and the ocean.

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