Secrets to Finding the Best Waves

"Look at the ocean, tell me what you see...So many of us look, but we don't see. The ocean is alive. The energy is there. Once you see it, it will tell you when and where..." -Sean Collins

Surfline's chief forecaster and president Sean Collins provides readers with all the tools necessary to find the best surf on every possible swell, in his book Surfline's California Surf Guide: Secrets to finding the best waves. His chapter about Long Beach reads:

"The surf: Long Beach? Yup. Before the federal breakwater was constructed during World War II, Long Beach offered up some of the biggest waves you could find in California on a south swell. Offshore Bathymetry in the San Pedro Channel does an incredible job of focusing long period south swells toward Long Beach, and actually right through one of the entrances in the breakwater. The US Navy and container ship companies at Pier J were puzzled for years by the random harbor seiching that would occur, often bouncing these huge ships against the pilings for no apparent reason, which would bring all work to a screeching halt. In the late '80s Sean Collins researched the issue as requested by the US Navy and found that problems were caused by long period Southern Hemisphere swells. Since then the Port of Long Beach has built inner breakwaters to deal with the problem. There are still some fun waves in Long Beach down around the south end near 72nd Place up through Claremont Avenue, but only on huge west-southwest swells, and on south-southeast hurricane swells. When everything is too big and out of control, it might still be worth a look."

Sean Collins has been a change agent for many. He has given surfers a different point of view on reading the ocean. After gaining his insight, many might even feel more strongly about removing the breakwater. This might be making them realize more about the ocean and are able to understand where the problems are coming from. As Sean Collins points out, "Surfers read the ocean. They watch the energy- the waves, the direction the come from, the time in between sets, where certain waves are breaking and where they aren't, the currents, anticipating change with the tides and more. Surfers prepare for when they paddle out and surf. So they will know. But most surfers dont look deep enough, further below the ocean surface." I feel that he has empowered people to look deeper and begin to understand the depth of the ocean and has definitely changed the way surfers use Surfline as a tool for surf forecasting.

For more information on Sean Collins, his new book, or about joining or using Surfline visit:
Surfline

Surf Savior

"It's a basic mindset we need to have in our society - don't leave litter on the beach, pick up after your pet, storm drains go right to the beach. Everything you do impacts the coast." -Michelle Kremer

Michelle Kremer, Laguna Beach Resident and Chief Operating Officer of Surfrider Foundation, was listed as one of the 2007 Hottest 25 People in Orange County accrording to OC Metro Business. Chris Trela's article talks about her fourteen year dedication to the Surfrider Foundation to protect the world's oceans, coasts and beaches. I think that it is important to remember that it is the world's ocean, and that there is no definite division between the Pacific, Atlantic, Arctic, and Indian Ocean, as well as the possibility of the Antarctic or Southern Ocean. All of the oceans of the earth are connected to create a world ocean, so we need to protect the beaches that lie before us each day along with others that may seem far away.

Kremer describes her involvement in Surfrider as "a way of life." I think it is important to realize her sleepless night and continued efforts to protect our coastline. The article mentioned that so far they have accomplished 57 victories out of the 150 formed in their strategic plan to be met by 2010. Her work is finally paying off with reports showing a decrease in local beach closure due to pollution. I think it is important to respect people such as Michelle Kremer, and help her to accomplish her victories because after all, it is our ocean too. Along with what she mentioned about reducing, reusing, and recycling, I would also like to emphasize on the fact that it is a good way to live. Hopefully we can all help to continue fundraising and awareness about the Long Beach Breakwater and possibly become one of the 150 victories that Surfrider will accomplish.

References:
OC Metro Business

Long Beach's surf forecast: Flat

Monday, November 5, 2007 A2 The Press-Telegram


SURF TALK AT THE AQUARIUM: A man can dream, can't he? Isn't that why we get up each morning, put on our pants both legs at one time, throw a bunch of food in the blender for our daughter's breakfast, drive her to school so we don't have to be the one to tell her where babies come from, and rocket off for the coast to see if they tore the breakwater down last night?

We have been on a losing streak. We've hectored three mayors, four or five city managers, innumerable council people and out-of-whack, out-of-work demolition experts from collapsed Soviet republics and still the big, stupid, surf-strangling complex of stone barriers stand out there like one of the seven blunders of the world, keeping waves out (as was its mandate) and keeping trash, garbage and roving bands of mutant bacterial colonies in (as was the unintentional, but nevertheless a fun little breakwater by-product).

Because Long Beach used to have world-class surf and now has something totally else, this must seem like a special hell for Sean Collins, the founder of Surfline and 976-SURF and one of the most famous surfers in the world.

Collins was going to be the guest speaker at the Aquarium of the Pacific Tuesday night, but, because his forecasting skills were urgently needed to study a brewing storm in Tahiti, he will be spared the specter of our surf-shackled stretch of California coastline.

Subbing for him in the Aquarium's Honda Theater at 7 p.m. Tuesday will be a pair of Surfline wave experts: Kevin Wallis, who is charged with developing and supervising the daily forecasts for California, Hawaii, Baja and mainland Mexico, Central America and the Gulf of Mexico; and Graeme Rae, who holds a doctorate in ocean engineering and who now serves as the product manager for Surfline.com.

The duo will be detailing that Tahitian storm and talk about its potential effect on waves in California (where permitted). Not sure if they are going to demand the explosion of our breakwater. We shall see, shan't we?

The worst-case scenario is you'll learn a lot about surf and such businesses of surf as surf-forecasting, although the easiest job in the world still remains that of Surf Forecaster for Long Beach.

The cost to hear the Rae and Wallis show is $7; $4 for aquarium members. Call (562) 590-3100.


(photo courtesy of Long Beach Press Telegram)

This article was published on Monday, November 11, 2007 in A2 of the Long Beach Press-Telegram. I feel like Tim Grobarty delivered his message about the surf talk at the aquarium in a relevant, yet amusing manner. I wanted to bring this article to your attention for a few reasons. One obvious reason was to inform everyone about this event happening tomorrow at the Long Beach Aquarium. This will be a very informative meeting that will give many people a new perspective in surf-forecasting. Some people may have previous knowledge which they use to study or determine the waves, some may still be learning and use their tide book as a guide, and others may just enjoy turning up every morning with a cup of coffee in one hand while watching the early morning waves roll in through the fog. Whichever category you might fall into, any information from a perspective of an ocean engineer will be insightful. The words Grobarty chose to describe his perspective on the breakwater were brilliant. I found his intro quite amusing when he ended his dream of rushing off to the coast to see if the breakwater had been torn down the night before. I am sure that many of us have dreamed of the day when the Long Beach breakwater will be gone and there will be waves and a clean beach. He also reminded us of the flat surf in Long Beach by making a joke as to forecasting the surf in Long Beach as the easiest job. This article is yet another reminder of what Long Beach is missing and that the breakwater is causing Long Beach to have no waves. Although this seems to be an ongoing dream, we can all make a difference and turn this dream into a reality. Help to bring waves and a cleaner beach back by supporting the Sink the Breakwater Campaign.

References:
The Press-Telegram

In my recent post, Selling the "Good Points", I had no intention to blame Laurie Manny for how she is trying to get people to buy the Alamitos Bay Condos on Ocean Blvd. One of the reasons I bothered to mention Bob Maguglin's statement was that it is fair to sell what good points you have. If Long Beach was such a bad place to live in, I would not be trying to sink the breakwater, or rather reconfigure part of it. There are many good points to living in Long Beach, I just feel that there is also a lot we can to do help improve it. One way to do this is to improve the water quality of Long Beach by removing part of the breakwater.

Anyways, the reason I am writing this is because I was looking for information to make a post about, and I happened to see another post from the Long Beach Real Estate in my google search. Little had I known, I was linked to a post in response to my Selling the "Good Points" post. Laurie Manny had read my post, and I seemed to have offended her, yet these were not my intentions at all. She is doing a great job as a realtor, and I constantly see her posts and interactions amongst the community. I would like to apologize for this. I was also mistaken for being a part of the Surfrider Foundation, which she criticized for making this, and I would like to make it apparent that this blog has no direct connection with the Surfrider Foundation. I use a lot of information from the Surfrider Foundation in order to inform people about their campaign, but I am blogging to change something as a requirement for a college class I am enrolled in. Again, I apologize for this misunderstanding and would like to remind everyone that although Long Beach Real Estate may have some low prices at the moment, there are prestigous condos worth buying at this time. Once we can figure out how to raise money and sort out the best possible way to reconfigure the breakwater, many of you might be able to enjoy the beach outside of your home.

Surfrider Foundation:Sink The Breakwater Campaign

Surfrider Foundation's Long Beach Chapter believes that, by reconfiguring the 2.5 mile long southern end of the Long Beach Breakwater, we can improve water circulation and water quality and hopefully bring back some gentle rolling breakers to Long Beach... once hailed "Queen of the Beaches" in California.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_T4A8zY4z0

Selling the "Good Points"

“We sell Long Beach as a place with a protected, secure beach,” says Bob Maguglin, director of public relations for the Long Beach Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. “You know, you sell the good points of what you’ve got—and in Long Beach people don’t have to worry about riptides or rough surf. But if the breakwater were ever to come down and the waves were to return, we’d sell it as a surfers’ beach.”

-the District Weekly


Prices are at their lowest in years for property in Long Beach with ocean views (Long Beach Real Estate). According to Laurie Manny, a Long Beach realtor, the Alamitos Bay High Rise Condos along Ocean Blvd are desirable condos at a low price. She feels that this is a good opportunity for people to buy these prestigous properties with incredible ocean views and upscale desirable buildings. This Long Beach community is protected by the Long Beach Breakwater where residents can enjoy calm waters and enjoy beautiful sunsets. Manny tells us that this is a 'to die for' ocean view for this upscale beach lifestyle. If these elegant buildings overlooking the Long Beach Harbor are so upscale and desirable, why is it that there are 62 luxury condos for sale as of September 29, 2007?

Granted, any beach home is desirable, but I believe that Maguglin's statement applies here. Long Beach needs to use their good points to sell their property. One way of selling this property is to use the Long Beach breakwater as a positive influence on the community, something which is protecting them and providing a calm ocean view, which is fair enough. People have known for ages that Long Beach does not have waves, and many people may have bought this property specifically for that reason. With beautiful property such as this, it is a great time to buy as Laurie Manny tells us. The next step is to begin questioning the affects the Long Beach Breakwater has on the beach community. If a small portion is reconfigured, the outflow of water will help to possibly restore waves, or at least better water quality. Long Beach is a beautiful place to live; however, calm waters and beautiful sunsets may not be enough. It is nice to have a beach with a bike path, but it is hard to want to walk across pollution and debris to get to it. Some people might enjoy watching gentle waves hit the sand. I feel that watching bigger waves is an attraction for all whether you surf or not. I would argue that most people who want ocean views not only want an ocean breeze and the ability to view beautiful sunsets, but also a clean beach, good water quality, and waves.


(photos are courtesy of Long Beach Real Estate)
The District Weekly http://thedistrictweekly.com/dwweb/?p=351
Long Beach Real Estate

Respect the Beach

There are many opportunities to get involved and support the Sink the Breakwater Campaign along with other environmental issues. One good way to support is by joining the Surfrider Foundation in order to help confront water pollution, beach access, beach loss, and other serious concerns facing your beach. By visiting their website, Support Us, you can join or renew your membership, make a donation, or give a gift. All contributions will make a "lasting contribution toward a better world and ensure that our oceans waves and beaches are protected for generations to come" (Surfrider). Everyone can make a difference no matter what the contribution.



Everyone can make a difference daily as well. The following is a list from the Surfrider Foundation of twenty different ways to help the environment.

1. GET YOUR MIND OUT OF THE GUTTER
Sweep your driveways and sidewalks. Put your trash in the can instead of the gutter. Use your lawn dippings to fertilize your lawn.
2. PULL YOUR OWN WEEDS
The less herbicides and pesticides you spray, the less you will swim in on the weekend.
3. PLANT DON'T PAVE
Let the runoff water soak into the ground. Landscaping looks better and creates oxygen.
4. SCOOP THE POOP
Unless you like to swim in animal poop, make sure you and your neighbors pick up the droppings.
5. REPORT FULL CATCH BASINS
The Department of Public Works should clean a full storm sewer.
6. FIX YOUR CAR LEAKS
More oil enters the beach from urban runoff than from tanker spills. If your car drips, the oil will find its way to the ocean.
7. DON'T BE A DRIP
Low-flow shower heads, drip irrigation and low-flow toilets conserve water. Repair any leaks.
8. MINIMZE WATER LOSS
Water lawns in the mornings or evenings. Water deeply and less often for happier plants.
9. USE NON-TOXICS
Vinegar or bakind soda clean very well. Buy eco-sensitive products now available on the market.
10. OIL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL
Recycle your motor oil at a garage. Don't dump it into a storm drain.
11. RECYCLE ONCE IS NOT ENOUGH
Recycle reusable materials. Call 1-800-RECYCLE for drop off location.
12. BE AWARE OF STORM DRAINS
The trash and toxins that are dumped on the street run straight to the beaches. If we reduce the amount of slime that goes into our storm drains, our coastal waters will be protected.
13. QUIT USING STYROFOAM
The coffee generation brings its own mugs. Let the shop owners who use styrofoam know you disapprove.
14. PEOPLE CAUSE POLLUTION, PEOPLE CAN STOP IT
Next time you see some trash, pick it up.
15. JOIN A LOCAL ACTION GROUP, GET INVOLVED
If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem. Check the facts and vote. One more voice does make a difference.
16. COVER YOUR TRAILS
Take household hazardous materials and containers to a local collection program for disposal.
17. CONSIDER, CONTROL, CONSERVE
Recycle reusable materials. Throw litter into trash cans and keep cans tightly covered to prevent foraging by animals.
18. DON'T WATER THE DRIVEWAY
It won't grow. All that water washes to the beach.
19. TALK AROUND TOWN
Because most people don't realize they are contributing to non-point source pollution, spread the word and get your neighbors an co-workers involved.
20. HOLD ONTO YOUR BUTTS
The beach is not your ashtray.

Another way to help the environment is to write, call, fax, or e-mail your Congressional representative, Senator and the President regularly to let them know your concern for pollution and support for stronger environmental laws.

If you have been sick lately and think it is related to your ocean water contact, please visit Surfrider Foundation Ocean Illness Form.

There are so many ways to get involved and help protect the ocean and our environment. Pollution in Long Beach is worse because the Long Beach Breakwater has stagnant water where trash tends to remain, but we cannot use that as an excuse. We need to start helping the problem by taking action everyday in order to help improve our beaches. Please help to keep our ocean clean. Respect the beach.





Surfrider

Breakwater Proposals

To help people understand some of the proposals for reconfiguring the Long Beach Breakwater, Surfrider has come up with simplified cross-sections of the current breakwater configuration, extending 13' above the water at low tide and 50-60' below the water to the bottom. They are still trying to get the money to research what should be done to reconfigure the breakwater, but these are previous proposals that have been set up as examples of ways it can be removed in any scenario.


Proposal 1: Remove the top 20-30 feet of rock and spread excess boulders

This underwater marine sanctuary will allow ocean currents and boats to continue to go in and out of Alamitos Bay by simply removing the top 20-30 feet of rock and spreading excess boulders flat along the ocean floor around the existing breakwater.


Proposal 2: Gather boulders from the top 20-30 feet of the breakwater to create an island

This island would serve as a submerged and above-ground habitat for marine life and a bird sanctuary by gathering boulders from the top 20-30 feet of the breakwater and creating an island sround what already exists.


Proposal 3: Redeploy boulders from the top 20-30 feet of the breakwater to other breakwater projects

Redeploying this material within the harbor would significantly reduce the costs of projects planned or underway. Since the Port of Long Beach currently has other breakwater projects underway or being considered, the top 20-20 feet of the existing Long Beach can be redeployed.

As Surfrider states, "It is firmly believed that if the Long Beach breakwater did not exist today, it would not be built today. As has already been noted, despite the existence of this structure, erosion and flooding is still a concern in parts of the community. The lack of tourism, the decline in property values, the loss of natural resource and the environmental devastation linked with the breakwater cannot justify the "calm waters" which appears to be the only residual benefit the structure offers today to a limited number of pleasure craft and an occasional commercial vessel awaiting clearance into port."

These proposals are meant to be a guide in ways to reconfigure the breakwater, however there has not been a single approach that has been decided. The "Long Beach" portion of the breakwater is the easternmost edge of Alamitos Bay, bordered by Queen's Way Gate to the west, a primary entrance to the Port of Long Beach, and the Alamitos Channel to the east, the entrance to Naples Island. The western portions of the breakwater extend as far as San Pedro Bay and are not effected by this project which is considered to protect the Port of Long Beach and Los Angeles and vital to their operation. Environmental restoration along Long Beach's shores is being carefully evaluated in cooperation with the Port operations.

The Long Beach Peninsula is going to face erosion and flooding concerns with or without the breakwater. Although a solution must be made to help them, there is no reason to keep the breakwater because it is not a solution. Long Beach, along with many California beaches, face severe erosion problems. If the breakwater is removed, natural waves will return. There will probably be a need for some type of sand replenishment, however this is already happening in many beaches along the California Coast. There are so many benefits in removing the Long Beach Breakwater, yet so far there has been no significant benefits identified. It has outlived its purpose, and it is time that we start funding the campaign to Sink the Breakwater and consider the future of Long Beach.

Proposals for Sinking the Breakwater

Long Beach Pike on the Pier

"Every summer, from as early as I can remember (around 1947) I would travel with my grandparents from Phoenix to Long Beach. Though the years blur in my memory, what stands out clearly are my summer days at Rainbow Pier with my mom, where she'd rent me a paddleboard to skim around inside the lagoon, and those spent at the Pike. This was before the breakwater was built." -Richard Dowdy

There are many stories similar to this one, where many childhood memories consisted of the Pike and surfing in Long Beach. It is important to understand and listen to those who have seen the changes in Long Beach firsthand. The information being passed along is evidence that we should not take for granted because eventually we will only be able to look back at stories passed along from one generation to the next.

With so many people still living today who have experienced these unfortunate changes in Long Beach, we should be able to Sink the Breakwater. Stories such as this are very powerful because they have more meaning than something you might read in a textbook. Most of us already know that the quality of Long Beach needs to improve, but many people do not realize that the Long Beach Breakwater has been a huge cause of the downfall. Maybe this will make people curious and wonder if what I am saying is really true because most of us living today cannot think of wonderful childhood memories in downtown Long Beach. At least we all know that Long Beach needs to make some improvements. Either way, there is heaps of factual evidence and recollections of the changes that have been made in Long Beach, and these have occurred since the breakwater was built.


I would like to mention that by adding the "New Pike" in Long Beach, they have begun to try and make improvements to the city. This obviously is not the same as it once was, but at least we are moving toward a more positive direction. The next thing we need to do is bring back waves and a cleaner beach to Long Beach because arcades, shops, and restaurants are not going to increase tourism, or keep Long Beach residents in the city they used to enjoy.


For more information and personal stories about the Pike, visit:
The Pike

Sink the Breakwater: Facebook Chapter

Facebook is a social utility that connects people with friends and others who work, study, and live around them. People use Facebook to keep up with friends, uploas an unlimited number of photos, share links and videos, and learn more about people they meet.

Also included in Facebook, is an application that allows you and other members to join groups by subtypes such as geography, students groups, or common interests. As we all know, networking amongst youth is quite influential. I came across a group under common interest-beliefs and causes called Sink the Breakwater. The description for this group invites everyone who is "ashamed of the Long Beach surf and would like to walk down the Penni along a pristine beach to the sound of roaring waves that rival any on the West Coast." This group has already captured the attention of the 66 members it holds, and I believe it will carry on to influence the way many people think about the Long Beach Breakwater.

After coming upon this group, I became interested in knowing more thoughts from the creator, Patrick McEveety. I sent a message asking him to share his thoughts, and he responded:

The breakwater is both unaesthetic and detrimental to the city of Long Beach. It was built by the Marine Corps for the purposes of the military, which no longer has a base in Long Beach. Today it serves as a breakwater to calm the powerful Pacific swells from invading the port of Long Beach. However, the size of the breakwater today is not essential to serve its purpose. much of the west breakwater could be demolished and with little repercutions to the stability of the harbor. Furthermore, additional breakwaters could be added in the east toward the shoreline to serve this purpose. But why do this? Why spend millions demolitioning a breakwater only to be in need of building a possible supplementary breakwater? Because the Long Beach Breakwater has the ability to change the economy and culture of Long Beach. Without a breakwater the beaches could be opened up to citizens, and increase tourism and nature.

Today, the Long Beach Breakwater has severely altered the pollution in the surrounding waters for the worse. Just look at the prevelance of redtide, or how dirty the water is after a storm. Not only this, but it has been horrible for the beaches themselves. The peninsula is erroding at an increasing rate while other areas continue to widen, causing the need for sand relocation to the penninsula in the winter months which is financially a heavy burden on the city. But the best reason for demolishing, modifiying or replacing this breakwater with an adjacent breakwater is the effect that it can have on the local economy. If the breakwater were removed, Long Beach could enjoy the same kind of beach goes as Huntington, Manhattan or Malibu. People come to the beach for the waves, for the shops and for a day of peace along the water, but Long Beach doesn't receive this in a substantial way because none of that is there. Just look at photos of the beach in the early century. The beaches were flooded. This could be the case today if the breakwater was removed, even if just at the west end, waves would reform, beachfront property could be rezoned for commercial uses and people would soon follow. It is hard to understand why the city, which seems to be bent on changing Long Beach to an entertainment and tourist destination, cant see the obvious potential of the beaches here, and the revenue it would undoubtedly create. Within years this new revenue (possibly created by a new lively and commercialized ocean avenue along with the attention and increased numbers that would help almost all businesses in Belmont Shore and downtown) would pay for the actual cost of demolition and recreation of the breakwater.

And lastly, Long Beach has the potential, judging from its past, to have some of the greatest waves on earth. For surfers (like me) and for nearly anyone this creates attention, more attention and more advertisement than the city of Long Beach could ever hope for. The military and city officials need to get real about this and open their eyes to the project that changed Long Beach for the worse forever. They need to realize that Long Beach can be a haven, a resort and most of all a place of interest to people from around the world.

I think that McEveety has very powerful thoughts, and there is a lot of information people may want to consider. Even with the help of college students showing their support through a group on the Internet adds an important aspect to the entire campaign to Sink the Breakwater. If you are a member of Facebook, you should look into joining and supporting this group, otherwise consider the thoughts that have been stated above.

Facebook

Green Port Fest

On October 13, the Port of Long Beach held its third annual Green Port Fest. This day of entertainment and fun was held by the Port of Long Beach aiming to minimize or eliminate its negative impact on the environment. This is based on the ideas behind the "Green Port Policy" to promote environmental stewardship and compliance, sustainability, community education and earth friendly technology. The Port of Long Beach said that they welcomed 7,000 visitors to the event for the opportunity to learn about their environmental initiatives, cargo operations, and security programs. Their website states, "The Port is recognized internationally as one of the world’s best seaports and locally as a partner dedicated to helping the community thrive." If the port is so environmentally savvy and dedicated to helping their own community, why won't they help pay for the breakwater study?

Like I mentioned in a previous post, the Port had the chance to contribute $50,000 to match Long Beach City Council's contribution, but the Port voted against it. Their partial sponsorship could have eventually led to a better Long Beach, but they decided to look the other way. Do you still think the Long Beach Port is concerned for the environment?

The Green Port Fest

Fishing in Filthy Water

The Long Beach Breakwater is one of the largest man made harbors in the world. The depth is very unique for this type of structure which is favored by fisherman. According to George's Corner, a section of fishing articles through Big Fish Tackle, the Long Beach Breakwater is an important factor that contributes to their fishing adventures. The diversity of fish is extremely high which makes the experience exciting. Although anglers enjoy their unique adventures, why would they want to fish in filthy water? Personally, I feel that the Long Beach Breakwater is not a great place to go fishing. There is a major abundance of fish as the breakwater serves as a habitat, but the fish being caught are living in filthy water. I would not be interested in eating fish living in a dirty habitat, and I am sure many people would not like to either. People are worried about the quality of water and avoid swimming in it, so why would you take fish that swim in that filthy water and consume it?

Big Fish Tackle

Breakwater Bash

On Thursday, November 15, the Long Beach Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation will hold a special event to raise funds and awareness in reconfiguring the Long Beach Breakwater. All you need is $10 at 7pm at Smooth's Sports Grille in downtown Long Beach. The idea of the event is to continue outreach through the ongoing campaign of restoring the shore, which brings us back to the 1930s. That is when people actually used to swim in the water. The vintage event will include bands, a silent auction, unique artwork, gift baskets, raffle prizes, including a surfboard. From 7-8 Roberto Dias will be selling and signing his Olas Books Series with 20% of the sales directly given to the Long Beach Chapter. From 9-9:30, there will be a short video presentation on the Sink the Breakwater Campaign and featuring guest speaker Jim Moriarty, Surfrider Foundation's CEO. Following the presentation until 11pm you will have the opportunity to dance and listen to Jim Fuller & The Beatnik playing Blues, Jazz, Surf, and Rock. Please support the event by donations for the silent auction and raffle, or by turning up to Smooth's Sports Grille on November 15th. Your support could help bring waves and a cleaner shore back to Long Beach. Hope to see you there.
For more information on this special event:
Breakwater Bash

Street Sweeping

Have you ever forgotten that it was street sweeping day and been upset to find a ticket against your windshield? Although annoyed, many people do not realize the serious affects to the environment if they fail to follow street sweeping guidelines. Weekly, people forget to move their cars, and all that has been stopped in the gutter will runoff into the sewage system and end up in the Long Beach harbor. It is unfortuante that nearby cities such as Lakewood do not have proper street sweeping and are allowing their runoff to pollute Long Beach. This pollution affects the health of human and marine life and affects tourism. All of the toxins that are built up and washed into the ocean have a huge affect on Long Beach. As I have mentioned in other posts, the Long Beach harbor remains polluted because there is not enough water activity due to the breakwater. So remember, it is not hard to keep your car in the driveway or move it to the other side of the street twice a week. The community needs the support of everyone in order to keep Long Beach clean. If people continue to block the street sweeper, the beach is going to stay like the picture below. Until we can sink the breakwater, we should prevent making Long Beach worse. Protect our ocean.

Surf Long Beach

"Hi Everyone! Southern California is great! All of the beaches are full of people except Long Beach. Back in the day it used to be one of the most popular beaches-now it is just so polluted that hardly anyone comes here. The local Surfrider Foundation chapter sampled water looking for signs of pollution and it is bad news! Just off shore there is a giant rock breakwater that was built for the Navy in the 1940s. The Navy left but the breakwater is still here and because of it the water is stagnant and dirty. Local Surfrider members are trying to get the breakwater removed or altered so the beach can come back to life. Sounds like a good idea to me! Well, I am leaving to a cleaner beach nearby. See you soon! XOXO"

This is a brilliant postcard created by the Long Beach chapter of Surfrider Foundation. The picture above is the front of the postcard. This amusing picture is reinstating the fact that if there actually was surf in Long Beach, you would need to be completely covered to avoid a disease you might get from the polluted water. The quote is written on the back of the postcard and is thoughtfully laid out to inform the public. I think this was a creative way to explain the problem the breakwater has created. I find this absolutely hilarious because it is basically true, and I hope that after seeing this you are even more convinced about sinking the breakwater.

"Missed the Boat"

Due to the lack of wave action and recreational surf, increased water stagnation, and high bacteria levels, there was a vote amongst the Harbor Commission whether or not to support the Long Beach City Council in a $100,000 joint fun to study the reconfiguration of the Long Beach Breakwater. Surfrider Foundation has held meetings continuously trying to gain support of the city. Unfortunately, on August 20, the Harbor Commission decided 3-2 denying the support and financial aid toward this study. The study that had been proposed in July by the City Council would consider the impacts of removing or reconfiguring the breakwater. This vote simply meant putting money toward the study, not for the actual reconfiguration. Commissioner James Hankla, Doris Topsy Elvord, and Mike Walter rejected the idea while Commission President Mario Cordero and Commissioner Nick Sramek supported. Sramek has the right idea in saying that regardless of the board's position on the issue, this is a concern that must be studied. This study is simply finding out data and understanding what can be done to improve Long Beach. For the Port to be so concerned in promoting a green environmental policy, they should look at how to improve Long Beach and the quality of the water. As another advocate for the study, Fourth District Councilman Patrick O'Donnell says that by refusing to participate, the commissioners "missed the boat".

I am impressed with the Long Beach City Council's decision to support the study of reconfiguring the breakwater. The Long Beach Chapter of Surfrider Foundation has continuously fought for this issue, and they have finally gained some recognition. It is unfortunate that the port has decided not to participate. I think that the study of the breakwater should still be conducted, and the money will have to be found elsewhere. Many people realize that Long Beach has water quality issues, and many are also starting to realize that the Long Beach Breakwater plays a major role in this issue. I would like to see someone step forward soon because the funding for this study could have a major impact in the future years of Long Beach.

The Press Telegram

Rain and Rubbish

Why is runoff from storm drains a problem?

Storm drains direct runoff from urban areas to the ocean. While they do not normally contain sewage, water in storm drains can contain disease-causing pathogens. Depending on the amount of flow, the discharging storm drains can affect ocean water quality several hundred yards from the discharge point. Much greater areas may be affected following major rainstorms. When this happens, beaches are posted with the appropriate sign, warning the public to avoid storm water and runoff. After a rainstorm, the ocean waters impacted by the storm should be avoided for at least 72 hours (Health and Human Services).

As seen in the video posted below, storm drains lead directly to the ocean. Rain should be the only thing being washed into the drain, yet there is also a constant flow of rubbish. On September 23 and 24, work crews for the Los Angeles County's Department of Public Works collected 175 tons of material that would have led to the ocean. Most of our beaches seemed to have less debris, but that was only due to lack of rain. The weekend rain brought out the debris, and we are fortunate that some of the material was collected by the mouth of the Los Angeles River. This trash was stuck in the boom collection systems. The city had built it to try and protect runoff from entering the ocean. Although a lot of debris were collected, many debris will find its way to Long Beach's shoreline. With the ongoing lack of water circulation due to the breakwater, this rubbish will circulate throughout the Long Beach harbor and maintain poor water quality.

Health and Human Services
The Press-Telegram

Only Rain Down the Drain

Heal the Bay Report Card Shows Fs and Ds in Long Beach

Joe Segura, a staff writer for the Long Beach Press Telegram, wrote an article on September 27 after Heal the Bay released the 2007 Report Card. Although Long Beach's ratings improved since last year, they failed to receive anything higher than a C. The only reason the grades seemed to improve was due to a record drought this year as well as stopping untreated runoff into Alamitos Bay. It is believed that surrounding cities would receive higher scores if they were not near Long Beach and Catalina. Due to high bacteria levels Seal Beach just posted advisories. Long Beach continues to be one of the dirtiest beaches in the state, and the results are a source of data which might be used in the debate of removing the breakwater. The lack of water circulation in Long Beach due to the breakwater may be the cause of poor water quality.

I feel that this data is another sufficient piece of evidence in how the breakwater is affecting Long Beach and surrounding beaches. Long Beach has continually received low scores in water quality, and although they improved slightly this year, they are still one of the lowest in the state. I am glad that the city is finally connecting this issue with the idea of possibly removing the breakwater. If you look up and down the coast, the rest of the cities seem to have As except for Long Beach and others adjacent. Hopefully this study will continue, and we will find out more information soon in order to improve Long Beach.

To view the complete Heal the Bay report card for California follow the link below:

2007 California Summer Beach Report Card

Global Warming

"Sea levels are rising worldwide and along much of the U.S. coast. (IPCC, 2007) Coastal zones are particularly vulnerable to climate variability and change. Key concerns include sea level rise, land loss, changes in maritime storms and flooding, responses to sea level rise and implications for water resources. Shore erosion also increases vulnerability to storms, by removing the beaches and dunes that would otherwise protect coastal property from storm waves (FEMA 2000). Historically, along sandy bay beaches, property owners have erected various types of sea walls to halt erosion. Although these hard structures protect property, they can eliminate bay beaches, which are usually less than 10 feet wide. Beaches are used for fishing, recreation, transportation, and landing small crafts, in addition to their environmental importance."

In the District, a Long Beach magazine, an article about the Breakwater Breakdown was published. They were discussing the issue of global warming causing rising sea levels. Although many people think that the breakwater might help restrain damage, they cannot prevent tides and are not a form of protection for oceanfront property. In the article they mention the United States Environmental Protection Agency and what to do about rising tides.

After reading the article, I searched the EPA website and found out that the erosion the Long Beach Breakwater has caused might be worse than the possible protection from everyday waves. If the breakwater was not present, the even flow of water might spread the sand across and protect our beach better. The breakwater might serve a small purpose in protecting rising tides, yet it would have to be doubled in height. The idea of the breakwater giving us a head start and completely protecting oceanfront property has been disproved and can no longer be a reason why we should not remove it.

References

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

FEMA, 2000: Evaluation of Erosion Hazards.

IPCC, 2007: Climate Change 2007: The Physical Science Basis. Contribution of Working Group I to the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change [Solomon, S., D. Qin, M. Manning (eds.)].

The District Weekly

Surf in Long Beach?

Sink the Breakwater is a blog created to inform the public and officials about the effects of the Long Beach Breakwater and gain support in removing it. The breakwater was built in the 1940s as security during World War II, which has no more U.S. Naval presence. It no longer serves its original purpose, yet it has decreased tourism, property values, surf, and damaged the coastline. I grew up in Long Beach and am aware of the impact it has had on the beach and the city. I listen to the community's recollections of the beautiful beach we used to have and see how destroyed and desolate it has become. No longer do you see surfers in the water, people lying on the sand and walking on the pier, or booking their vacation in Long Beach. It is a rare city in Southern California not to have a pier with Ruby's Restaurant on the end and tourist attractions surrounding. This blog is being created in order to inform the public of this issue and remove the Long Beach Breakwater.

Many people should be concerned with this issue, and I would like to target the Long Beach community, the City of Long Beach, the Port of Long Beach, surfers, Long Beach Realty, conservationists, and the State of California. Everyone should be concerned with the lack of tourism in Long Beach and pride for the community as a whole. The beautiful destination has become empty and forgotten. Surfers have lost their waves, people have lost access to a nice beach, and the community has lost their coastal appeal. The State of California should be concerned because money will be provided through them, but also to maintain the image of California. The city and residents should be concerned with the benefits of removing the breakwater. Realty will increase and the community's image will return to how it used to be. All targets will benefit financially. Everyone will also gain benefit from beach access. There are many people in agreement with the removal of the breakwater, however there are some opposed. The opposition either does not have a proper answer to the refusal or does not have enough previous information to make a judgment.

As a surfer living in Long Beach, CA, I would like to see surf in Long Beach again. I would also like to see the quality of the beach and surroundings improve. I remember playing beach volleyball in high school by the Belmont Pool and having to pick up syringes, broken bottles, and other trash before we could begin playing so that we did not get hurt. I also work at a surf shop and hear about people trying to go surf in Long Beach when certain storms pass through. I feel like removing at least part of the breakwater will improve the overall quality of the beach. I do not want to hear any more stories about how Long Beach used to be or people blaming the breakwater for no waves. If everyone learns about the real affects of leaving the breakwater or taking it out, we might be able to compromise and improve Long Beach.