I think I'm gonna glow in the dark...

Ah, the first big rain storm of the year. Refreshing, no? Well, for surfers like myself, that first rain storm is more of a giant toxic bane than a invigorating boon. Most breaks in L.A. receive a heavy dosing of pollution after the first large rain, because all of the trash, organic waste, and hazardous chemicals that tends to clog up our sewers and storm drains gets pumped straight into the ocean. Most water treatment plants (like the local Tapia Water Treatment plant) aren't able to handle the extra load, so the only constructive thing they are able to do is wave at the trash as it floats on by them and straight into the ocean. If you need to check the water quality at your local break, go to this site: http://www.publichealth.lacounty.gov/phcommon/public/eh/water_quality/beach_grades.cfm.


Try to avoid turning into a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle from all the runoff, and I will see you in the water!