Surfers Undeterred by Sewage Danger

Alluring swells beckoned surfers Thursday, with the recent storms producing perfectly curling waves sporting 10- to 12-foot faces.

But the storms have also produced contaminated beaches and spawned a dilemma for surfers: Should the ocean’s evocative call take precedence over the health threat or should they heed the warning and possibly miss some of the season’s best surf?

For Chris Wasowicz, the decision wasn’t even close.

“I’m going to die sooner or later. I’d rather die having a good time,” the 29-year-old Ventura resident said with a shrug as he emerged from the frothy waters off the mouth of the Santa Clara River on Thursday afternoon. “I’ve surfed worse. . . . I just keep my immune system up.”

Wasowicz’s view was shared by most of the wetsuit-wearing set who clutched surfboards at the almost full parking lot at Surfer’s Knoll near Ventura Harbor.

Most ignored a nearby sign with vivid red lettering that admonished: “Warning. Keep Out. Contaminated with sewage. Possible health hazard.” Others, in their fervor to reach the object of their desire, simply did not see it.

Kent Alexander, 33, of Oxnard was among that latter group. He was so focused on the waves, he walked straight past the sign until told about it by a passerby.

“I didn’t even notice it,” said the film grip, pausing for a moment. “It’s really good out there too, that’s the bad part. . . . I hate sewage.”

Alexander momentarily wavered, reflecting on the stomach-churning experience of a surfer buddy who contracted hepatitis and was sick for three months.

Another surfer jogged by him en route to the ocean, laughing off the health hazard and saying that he hoped that any contamination would be sufficiently diluted.

“It’s a big ocean,” he said, rapidly disappearing over the dunes. “I live to surf.”

Alexander groaned and weighed his options for agonizing seconds. He looked at the waves. He glanced back at the sign. The sea won out.

“I’ll go and play for a little while,” he said. “I’m keeping my eyes and my mouth shut.”

Mark Thompson, 20, of Ventura, was in the health-conscious minority as he sat on a parking lot wall admiring the high waves from a safe distance. But even Thompson invoked a rationale that had more to do with surfing than with sickness.

“If you’re sick for two weeks and the surf is good, it’s not worth it to miss it for one day of uncrowded surfing,” he said.

Indeed, from the point of view of at least one Ventura resident, the water wasn’t even fit for a dog.

Corinne Van Essen was taking no chances with her golden retriever, Goldie, as the pair walked along the beach.

“She loves the water,” Van Essen said. “I’ll have to stay up here rather than go near the water because she will go in.”