Oh, the irony! Just yesterday SantaCruz.com.html reported that the Times of London considers Santa Cruz to be the world’s top surfing destination. Closer to home, the Santa Monica-based nonprofit Heal the Bay listed two Santa Cruz beaches on its “Beach Bummer” list for 2010. According to their report, the high levels of bacteria in the water there could put surfers and swimmers at a higher risk for illness. Bad news, for sure, especially as the county prepares for the long Memorial Day weekend.
Of course, not everyone agrees with the diagnosis. While Heal the Bay claims that the problem is caused by flowing storm drains and heavy land use in the region, the county’s own Environmental Health Department says that the causes are natural and caused by rotting kelp or sea life. According to the Health Department, the waters at the two beaches don’t pose a health risk to anyone. Besides, as the Capitola Chamber of Commerce likes to point out, other sources, such as Sunset Magazine, say that the town’s beach is the best in the state’s entire West region. Read more at KSBW.
