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August 2006 Issue
Variations-- How Many Ways Can You Ride a Wave?
The Malloy Brothers
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Posted August 2006 Blue Edge Magazine. All rights reserved.
A Perfect Life: The Waterman's Tale
The Story of Chadwick Lanakila Ching
By David Pu’u
What constitutes perfection in the way a person leads a life? I mean, from the pespective of terminus, would you view your time on earth as being well spent, let alone perfect? Say if you had a chance to lookdown on the entire timeframe of am existence? Regrets if they are there, would likely arise from not pursuing your given opportunities to live a life that fulfilled your heart’s desires. Of course, both opportunities and wishes vary from person to person, and culture to culture. But for a seven year old Hawaiian child at the threshold of his life, standing at the edge of the sand in Waikiki in 1959, the wishes would appear decidedly few and very clear, eating being first and foremost.
Dino, as he eventually came to be known, the kid with an English first name, a Hawaiian middle name, and a Chinese last name, grew up under the guidance and supervision of a tight knit group of watermen who tourists know as beach boys. His tenure began that day in the end of the decade, and his interests, as a Hawaiian, proved to be anything relating to water. His middle name, Lanakila roughly translates as “champion” or “victorious one” That day, the young boy was tossed into what would become his life’s avocation, that of a waterman.
The term beach boy is actually a job title. The job consists of providing beach services and equipment rentals and representing Hawaii to the vast number of people who fly into Honolulu each year in search of their own version of tropical paradise. To the bulk of those people, that dream includes the chance to surf, sail, canoe, swim and/ or, do whatever one fantasizes about from the aquatically barren existence of the average human being. So the beach boys are watermen. A waterman is someone who is completely at home and knowledgeable about anything that goes on in the water. Typically they are very adept athletically. A waterman is as at home out in the middle of the sea on a dark night, as an uninitiated person is at home in front of the television on a relaxing evening in.
“ We have to hurry”, a fast moving Bobby Friedman barked at me. The paddle out is about to happen. In the hubbub of Honolulu airport, we threw my gear into the back of the tandem surfer’s truck and blasted through clouds of exhaust spewing, tourism buses towards Waikiki. “Oh, good to see you” Bobby smiled. He is an interesting character, having moved to Hawaii to be more of a part of what spawned his life’s pursuit of tandem surfing, the culture of the beach boy. “We have about 45 minutes before the paddle out for Dino’s brother Bon. I am diving a rock from the family emu pit down and placing it in the reef where the two of them grew up swimming and surfing at Queen’s”. We were going to a funeral it appeared. “Do you want to shoot it?” I was aghast at the question as I consider people’s privacy a sacred thing. “Do you think I should?” was about all I could muster early that hot, Hawaiian morning, fresh off the jet with all the other visitors that day. “Hmmm, I will introduce you to Dino. Maybe ask him if it is okay?” I was not a fan of the thought.
We dropped the car off at the elegant lobby of the Hilton with some friends of ours. I grabbed a housing and pulled on some board shorts and we jogged across busy Kalakaua boulevard, sweating and a bit harried. On the sand, behind the big statue of Duke Kahanamoku, stood an umbrella and a calm, apparently pensive group of people in the middle of which was a man who Bobby introduced me to. Dino Chin would paddle his outrigger out to the reef that day with the lava rock, leis, and a small group of friends. He greeted me pleasantly enough and I asked. “Dino, would it be okay if I came along and took a few photos?” He smiled softly and quietly said, “yes sure, that would be okay”.
Minutes later two canoes were slipped into the water and we glided through a placid, azure sea out past the two footers a large group of surfers and tourists glided shoreward upon. The sweet coconut smell of sunscreen hung in the still air. A perfect day. Outside past the break we stopped, and I slipped off ama side into warm, blue, velvety feeling water. I shot a few photos quickly and unobtrusively.
After a brief word to Bobby, asking for him to give me give me a few seconds, I swam down towards the reef and after 20 feet or so had passed, turned and looked up to see him rocketing down towards me, lei wrapped rock gripped in big strong hands, looking all the world like a human missile headed straight to the bottom. I shot a few frames as he rocketed by, then followed him down as he found a good place, and wedged the rock into the reef. Bobby does stone work in Hawaii. The big guy was a perfect choice for this task apparently. He pushed up off the bottom and as he rose I shot a few more frames. Near the surface I stopped and realized one of the leis had come off the rock. I shot a few frames up through its leafy spirals at the canoe Dino slowly paddled. The emotion, one of peacefulness and synchronicity, was tangible as I began my slow final glide to the surface. I swam back to shore trailing the canoes as people played at Queens. I did not know what my camera had captured, but inside felt that all was just perfect.
The call came as much bad news does, out of blue nowhere on a busy day. The voice in my ear through my cel phone, choked and terse sounding made itself clear in the static of my day: “David, Dino is dead” and in tears, Bobby Friedman told me what had happened. Dino had left work early the other day, complaining of not feeling well. When he got to his apartment bad news greeted him about his best friend Ashford. Ashford had been diagnosed as terminally ill with cancer. The following day Dino did not show up at his place on Kuhio beach. Dino never missed a days work as a beachboy. Family found him by noon that day, having died in his sleep as his brother had, of an apparent heart attack at the age of 52. Bobby asked the inevitable, “Hey remember that day at Bon’s paddle out? Do you have any photos around?” I went home and through the files and found it, the best one. The image depicts a waterman at peace having said his goodbyes to his brother at sea. In front of him, a man I did not know paddles.
Dino Ching, was born in 1952 and lived on Waikiki beaches from 1959 to July 8th 2006. Father, grandfather and friend to many, he served the community as a representative of Hawaii and purveyor of aloha throughout his lifetime. Dino was made the youngest canoe captain in history in his teens (A position reserved for tenured watermen in their thirties). He was a US National junior surfing champion. Dino was the lone beach boy who to the end, was never regulated by the State of Hawaii and made to pay the twenty five to fifty thousand dollars a month rent for his stretch of sand on Waikiki. Famous for his shirt that read in Japanese: “Ask me about surfing lessons” he was an admirer of Japan and it’s people and customs. His apartment was decorated in minute detail as one would be in Japan. His long time girlfriend, K, is a Japanese tourist who fell in love with him.
For 45 years Dino showed up for work early each morning and stood beneath what became his trademark umbrella. Two weeks before his death the umbrella was stolen. On July 9th it re appeared. Dino will not only be remembered by Hawaii and his family, but his impact on countless thousands of people who were given a waterman’s initiation to Hawaii by the man. My guess is his umbrella will be on Kuhio beach for quite some time. It ought to be.
Found on a table in Dino’s apartment after his death was a letter from the State of Hawaii, granting him a plot of Hawaiian homestead land. His new land will go to his children. There are so many stories surrounding Dino, I guess those of you who made your way on to his stretch of beach may know some of them that I do not. But in looking back at this man’s existence I would have to say that for Dino Lanakila Ching, his life was as perfect in it’s ending, as in it’s living.
Bobby Friedman rang me again, he was driving to the beach for the memorial paddle out for Dino. Hey David, you know the guy paddling the canoe in front of Dino in the photograph?” “Yea, you guys ever figure out who it is?” I asked. Yea, Bobby laughed. “It is Ashford, his best friend.” Perfect.
Solitude on Santa Rosa Island--Kayak Adventure
By Chuck Graham
The bugle that bellowed from above the ridgeline disturbed my deep slumber while
tucked away in a gritty alcove. I sat straight up in my sleeping bag, while fumbled for my headlamp. My eyes adjusted, with the benefit of a full moon, while I watched the rangy silhouette of a Roosevelt elk loping across rugged Santa Rosa Island.
Camping is allowed on all the islands in the Channel Islands National Park, but the second largest island in the archipelago is the only one that allows beach camping, that is, if you can get there. The only way to get to those nameless coves and deserted beaches while exploring its nooks and crannies, is by hugging the coast in a kayak, and camping on beaches where potentially the only footprints found are your own. Restrictions apply, and self sufficiency is a must, but the rewards abound while dodging rogue waves and communing with curious pinnipeds peering above the canopy of kelp forests.
Nose to Nose with Spilogale gracilis amphiala
I left my tent at home. I wanted to travel light, move quickly and break camp with little fuss. Sleeping under the stars was the way to go. There’s one place though where you don’t want to lie your sleeping bag out in the open. Endemic deer mice will use your downed mound as a potential playground, scurrying across your body, playing tag with their siblings and cousins.
I solved this conundrum at the Water Canyon campground by simply throwing my sleeping pad on top of a picnic table. The campground was deserted and I slept soundly. Around three a.m., a steady thump on the bench of the table woke me. Quietly I grabbed my headlamp, affixed it to my matted head, switched it to the on position and looked down below. Before I knew it, I was literally nose to nose with a inquisitive spotted skunk. Skunks are native on Santa Cruz and Santa Rosa Islands. This one didn’t flinch, except for its snout that twitched with each sniff to determine what I was. After my spotted visitor determined I wasn’t a threat, it stomped its padded paws and continued its foraging for food. It wasn’t alone. It had two little ones with it that waited on the ground creating quite a ruckus while thrashing through the parched grass.
Elephants of Santa Rosa
While kayaking around Sandy Point, the northwest tip of the island, blubbery behemoths--northern elephant seals--swam near my boat; their big, bloodshot eyes gazed
my way. Without warning two sub-adult males rose up, breaking the surface of the water
on either side of my kayak. Their huge wakes and their sudden appearance in close proximity startled me, nearly causing me to capsize. I righted my boat, dug in and quickly paddled away from the craggy point fingering its way toward San Miguel Island which was three miles away. Another elephant once roamed these parts. About 20,000 years ago, the archipelago was one immense island named Santarosae. At the time, the channel crossing from the mainland was a mere five miles. Imperial mammoths made the swim across to the island of Santarosae which totaled 724 square miles.
About 2,000 years ago the islands reached their present size, after the polar icecaps melted. Over that time span, those massive Woollies evolved into a pygmy species. Given enough time--thousands of years--and isolation, large animals stranded on islands can evolve into smaller species. In this case, pygmy mammoths were as small as four feet at the shoulder. Over 50 archaeological sites concerning mammoths exist on Santa Rosa, and a complete pygmy mammoth skeleton was discovered in 1994, the only one of its kind.
The First Islanders of Wima
That’s what the Chumash Indians named Santa Rosa.
After landing my kayak on another nameless beach, I nestled into some freshly groomed sand dunes, then explored a long, lonely stretch of coast. Sheer bluffs hovered above crashing surf. California brown pelicans, cormorants and western gulls roosted on rock outcroppings, enjoying the warm sun and the occasional light spray from the exploding waves. Some young sea lions, the best body surfers on Santa Rosa, frolicked in the tubular conditions. Far beyond the cresting swells and the swaying kelp beds, a lone dive boat anchored motionless on the horizon.
I scrambled up a short but steep bluff with my pair of binoculars and scanned 360
degrees, this empty paradise. The plume from a whale’s spout floated offshore, a couple of black Oystercatchers pried at barnacle encrusted shells and a pair of Kaibab deer frozen by my presence, stared back at my binoculars.
Then I found a popular beach hangout on one of the many marine terraces on Santa
Rosa. From a fair distance I inspected a dense pile of broken abalone shells, sun-bleached fish bones and spineless gutted sea urchins lying encrusted in the ancient earth. Known as a Chumash 'midden', it was an example of everyday living on the windswept island. Various sites similar to this along with villages, burial grounds and tool making quarries number in the hundreds throughout the chain. Santa Rosa Island contains the oldest positively-dated human remains in North America, dated at 13,000 years ago.
Rounding Carrington
Paddling along the frontside of Santa Rosa was tedious and lengthy. For 18 miles I
dodged persistent swells and tried to avoid howling winds by kayaking in the thick kelp
beds that force the winds to lie down. On a couple of occasions I ducked inside secluded,
tiny coves with just enough beach to rest and hide from the relentless wind. Closing in on Carrington Point, a colossal wall of fog engulfed my point of reference, while bearing down on me. When it swallowed me up I couldn’t see a quarter mile in front of me, but the misty haze cooled my skin and offered respite from the glaring sun. However, as quickly as it arrived the overcast skies opened up and the sheer cliff of Carrington dominated the horizon. When I rounded its eroding mass, shimmering Becher's Bay came into view. The end of my journey was bittersweet; I was thrilled to reach my final destination and grateful for my discoveries, but equally dispirited that my circumnavigation of Wima was finished.
Island Info:
National Geographic Maps Trails Illustrated of the Channel Islands National Park
shows where you can camp and where you can’t on Santa Rosa. The topographic map
explains those restrictions. Call (800) 365-CAMP for a beach camping permit. Boat
transportation, call Island Packers (805) 642-1393. For more information contact the
Channel Islands National Park (805) 658-5730, http://www.nps.gov/chis/.
Posted August 2006 Blue Edge Magazine. All rights reserved.
Emua Luna: The Santa Barbara Outriggers
By Nicole De Leon
For those of us who have experienced the giddy descent down the face of an overhead wave--whether it be on a neon pink morrey boogie, on a fiberglass surfboard, or on a 400-pound canoe--most of us know there is no greater feeling. We ocean riders carry our contentment in the sun-induced creases in our eyes and the broadness of our swimmer’s shoulders. While surfers are a familiar part of our Gold Coast culture, there is also a less well-known community of local paddlers that call outrigger canoeing “their second religion.” In Santa Barbara alone, there are three different outrigger teams, Ventura has one team, and several teams are scattered from Avila to San Diego, all of which practice and compete nine months a year.
On a windless afternoon in June, I met up with the Santa Barbara Outrigger Canoe Club (SBOCC) at the harbor, where both the women’s and men’s team meet twice a week for practices. I checked out the yellow canoes splayed on the sandy shoulder of the harbor while the upbeat Capilene-clad paddlers filed in. During the team’s pre-paddle warm-up exercises, Holly Sherwin, a stand-out spokeswoman for the club, vibrantly enthused about outrigging. She recalled the first time she got on board a six-woman canoe. “I just fell in love with the sport . . . It’s exhilarating with a whole group of people. You really get that rush of speed and adrenaline.” I was about to find out first-hand what Holly was so churned up about.
First, I learned that unlike a surf ski, a kayak, or a regular canoe, the outrigger canoe has an outrigger or “ama,” a lateral support float strutting out on one side of the main hull. The outrigger bestows greater stability and seaworthiness upon a canoe. After a quick lesson on paddling protocol where I learned to sweep the water with the heavy wooden paddle- deep enough to get drive out of each stroke–- I mounted one of SBOCC’s outrigger canoes with the five other crew members, took the number five position, and off we went.
Rene Saragosa, the SBOCC’s men’s coach, patiently gave me lessons in technique while steering and leading the crew. He also taught me that instead of seeking out flat, calm water, canoers are avid wave hunters and use waves as a free ride in competitions and a quick adrenaline rush in practice. I quickly discovered the difference between the surfer’s solo ride and the synchronization of a crew whose individual parts serve the whole, the effect of which was perfect balance and speed. Paddlers I talked to unanimously feel passionate about this sport not only because of the camaraderie, but the complete immersion of body and spirit in a single-minded goal.
So how do paddlers mesh the reputed spiritual aspect of outrigging with their fierce competitiveness? Facing up to three races each month, the SBOCC teams are of necessity a disciplined, tough bunch, yet they seem to maintain a community-based, humble lifestyle out of pure respect for the mana (spiritual power) that brings them so much enjoyment. The team makes sure to pay respect to their canoes by means of naming ceremonies - part of the Hawaiian history of the outrigger canoe - where boats are given “souls.” After hanging with the SBOCC crews both in and out of the water, it became clear to me that they keep a good balance between their competitive fire and the underlying spirituality of their sport.
And what competition! Races include the Iron Man, state sprints, and change races. The change race, which involves a 6-man outrigger on a 23-mile course, inspired some of the best stories of races past, with which I was regaled by the men’s team. A “sea change” has a whole new meaning in the context of change races. Imagine a 400-pound human-powered canoe bearing down on you in the open sea while you are fervently treading water awaiting their arrival, then hoisting yourself aboard without wasting a second, getting right in sync with the swinging paddles of your teammates. This is the daunting task that paddlers face when fresh paddlers from support boats are exchanged by plunging dramatically into the sea.
It falls to the coach or “change master” to quickly negotiate which paddlers will switch out to be relieved and replaced by one who can fit into a strategic position. All this is done while the outrigger is underway. Seats 1, 3 and 5 all paddle in sync, as do seats 2 and 4 on the opposite side paddling to the same beat, while seat 6, the steersman, may stay in place throughout the whole race.
Like most water people, these paddlers have their war stories. Some of the guys on the SBOCC team animatedly recalled a change race from Molokai to Oahu in 15 ft seas and howling winds. Not only were the swells so big it was nearly impossible to see the replacements dog-paddling in the water, but one teammate got hit on the head by the boat when it came down upon him, and he ended up disoriented and backwards trying to get in. But he kept on going! The men’s team all but fell over from the so-called hilarity of that tale. Less comical is the extreme sea-sickness, dehydration, and exhaustion that some paddlers have experienced in a race of this caliber. But facing such real dangers only strengthens the paddlers’ physical and mental determination.
Ray Wallenthin, the SBOCC team president, believes it is “mind set and perseverance” that drives the paddlers, and although races are fueled by strength and endurance, he believes “positivity out there is the key.” A team’s intimidation factor can also give it a real tactical advantage in a race. After getting a taste of how the SBOCC gang vibe as a team, I am sure they are a force to be reckoned with in the water.
To be sure, life as a SBOCC team member is never dull. July was a busy month because of the much anticipated State Sprints event held at Ledbetter Beach. Patagonia, Heal the Ocean, Surfrider and L &L Hawaiian BBQ were just some of the sponsors for the event. To find out what the SBOCC will be up to in upcoming months, drop by one of their practices at the SB harbor, or check out their website at www.sbocc.org. SBOCC welcomes newcomers with open arms. For those of you daunted at the prospect of hours of paddling, just remember: It’s not the destination, but simply staying on the path.
Posted August 2006 Blue Edge Magazine. All rights reserved.
Surf Specific Kayak
By Terry Lilly
I have been a surfer for over 45 years and my father was one of the pioneer surfers in California. He helped start the San Onofre Surf Club and learned to surf from the Duke himself. Growing up at San Onofre with Corky Carol, Mickey Munos and Mickie Dora, I got to be a part of the surfing evolution. My fist board was a ten foot balsa board and I had one of the first surf leashes. I rode the first Corky Carroll mini model that was 8’6”. My mom surfed on a blow up mattress and my fifth board was a 5’3” fish twin fin. Boogie boards came on the scene and several surfers rode waves on dug out canoes. Surfing thrived on any new invention in the line up, that someone could ride a wave with and we all respected the new guy with the new wave riding machine. Surfing is still evolving today and I still respect the new guy in the lineup who can ride a wave with some new invention under his feet, belly or rear.
One big day last winter in front of my house in Shell Beach, I paddled out on my 7’6 Shane Stoneman at my local outside reef. As I paddled out I saw some guy on what looked like a modified snow sled that I used to ride as a kid at Mammoth Mountain. He made an incredibly late drop sitting on this new type of small surf kayak. He powered off a huge bottom turn then went almost upside down in the tube and pulled it off! He was doing everything I wish I could do on my 7’6. He made more waves in critical places than any stand up surfer could possibly pull off. That day I met Vince Shay, the guy riding the new surf invention: the Surf Specific Kayak. I had seen others ride surf kayaks in the past, but none with the ability to control a kayak better than one can control a surfboard. That day I decided to interview Vince and find out what he was all about. I hope you enjoy the interview.
Hi Vince. I am used to seeing you out here on your short board. What the heck are you riding these days?
I have been a surfer all my life and never saw myself riding a surf kayak! Most kayakers I saw in the lineup were simply out of control. A few years ago I was introduced to a “Surf Specific Kayak”.
How does it ride?
The new generation of surf kayaks are incredible. Very maneuverable and the designs are evolving at a high rate, especially in the last few years. The kayak I am surfing now, I designed with the help of well known surfboard shaper Dave Johnson of Progressive Surfboards. It has been a team effort in designing this new “Reaction” kayak.
I have seen other surf kayakers out here in the line up with board surfers and it seemed to me that the two groups didn’t get along to well.
Yes, there is some friction when you mix the two groups together. There are surf spots that kayakers may not be welcome in the line up and good common sense is needed. Some kayakers feel like “you just can’t keep me out of the lineup,” but sometimes there is a safety issue. It cuts both ways because I have seen my fair share of beginning surfers that were totally out of control. Usually surfers and kayakers can weed out the beginners and inform them were to surf. The kayakers need to respect this process. Since kayak surfing is growing in a rapid rate there will be more interactions. I have kayak surfed in five different countries so far and have competed in many contests right along with good surfers.
What do you think the future is of these new “Surf Specific Kayaks”?
The sport is growing and it is all about dynamic moves--aerials and deep barrels while really surfing a wave. The surf kayak designs are now very defined with tri fin setups or quad systems. This helps with keeping in control. The new kayaks are light, strong and short.
I feel positive that the surf kayak community is doing a lot of self regulating. I feel that a lot of board surfers do not yet understand how hard we are on our own kayak community. It is all about education and exposure and we do not want to be banned or regulated in the line up. Surf kayaks have the performance now, and we need to bring up the awareness with the board surfers. It is all about being a total waterman and we can all get along together. Keep an open mind as we are all stoked on the beauty of the ocean. Just remember to be safe and respect all others in the lineup.
For more info on these new “Surf Specific Kayaks” you can contact Vince Shay at vince@2point media at www.vinceshay.com and for more cool surf shots you can go to Terry’s web at www.pbase.com/lilley.
Posted August 2006 Blue Edge Magazine. All rights reserved.
Environmental News
Community Environmental Council
By Katie McLean
With growing evidence that worldwide we have reached,or will soon reach, the global peak for oil production, most experts think we have, at most, 20 to 30 years of cheap oil left. CEC's Fossil Free by '33 campaign is challenging the tri-county region to set an example for our nation and the world by ending its dependence on fossil fuels(primarily oil and coal) and meeting its needs through conservation and renewable resources, such as solar, wind and ocean energy.
CEC is maping out the steps this region needs to take to reduce our carbon emissions and completely replace the current and projected energy needs with sustainable energy resources. This will include all energy needs: commercial, governmental, institutional, and residential energy, as well as energy associated with transportation.
The affects of fossil fuels on human health has led to spread of disease, drought, respiratory problems, and heat-related deaths and illness. Environmental impacts include air pollution, water pollution, climate change, and loss of species. The economy has been whiplashed and burden with property loss, skyrocketing insurance claims, and the need for more national security.
Fossil Free by '33 has identified the problems with unsustainable energy practices, and has proposed a feasible program to achieve regional energy independence. Improvements in energy efficiency and conservation will be made through building smarter, improving fuel efficiency, and promoting public transportation.
New production methods of wind, solar, and ocean energy, along with recycling and conservation of energy will be put to work to provide the tri-counties with enough energy to be fossil fuel independent.
The Groundwater Connection
(Text from Heal the Ocean March 2006 newsletter RE: USGS Study of shallow groundwater beneath the City of Santa Barbara):
Heal the Ocean has been supporting a three-year investigation by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) of the shallow groundwater beneath the city of Santa Barbara near Mission Creek and along the waterfront. This project began in Fall, 2005, and has already resulted in some hugely significant findings.
During the week of December 5, 2005, USGS scientists found high fecal bacteria counts in one of the groundwater wells next to the beach at Santa Barbara's waterfront, at Skater’s Park on Cabrillo Blvd. The fecal bacteria included enterococcus and e. coli. These results suggest that fecal pollutants may be transferred into the ocean through shallow groundwater discharge.
The USGS scientists will be taking more samples and DNA tests will be performed. It should be noted that the water being sampled from these wells is not accessible to the frequently blamed pollution sources – homeless encampments in particular.
The implications are enormous, not only for Santa Barbara, but for all coastal communities which may now need to examine and consider shallow groundwater as an important mechanism for transporting pollutants to the ocean – whether from septic leachfields, faulty sewer laterals or cracked sewer mains.
The USGS work in Santa Barbara is "state-of-the-art" technology that has not yet been widely enacted or used. Stanford University did some preliminary investigations in 2004 and issued a news statement that groundwater transport of pollutants to the ocean was "likely."
Heal the Ocean has been hammering on this issue for years. Beginning in 1999 with the yearly financial help of The Ann Jackson Family Foundation, we participated (with Drew Bohan of Channelkeeper) in the hiring of a researcher to examine the City's sewer maintenance records. We also hired a leak detection expert to view video sewer inspections in areas we identified as problematic, and we searched for a reputable hydrologic/drilling company (unsuccessfully) that would get monitoring wells into certain locations based on careful study of maps of the areas.
Finally, when the City agreed to hire the USGS in a three-year investigation of groundwater beneath the city, Heal the Ocean leaped to the chance to support this project. We hired grantwriter Stephanie Jamgochian to contribute to the USGS work, and in September 2005, we handed the City of Santa Barbara a check for $30,000 to support the first year of the USGS investigation. These funds were generously granted to us by the Orange County Community Foundation (Marisla), $25,000, and the Andrew H. Burnett Foundation ($5,000).
The study, "Microbial Contamination of Urban Streams and Ocean Beaches" (MCUSOB), is a collaboration with the city of Santa Barbara, the University of California at Santa Barbara (UCSB) and HTO.
By September 2005, the USGS team had installed 13 monitoring wells into the water table beneath Santa Barbara, and had performed a 24-hour sample collection on each of the 13 wells. To date, all of the wells have been sampled at least once for a full 24-hour period and a complete set of analytical results will be compiled during Year Two of the project.
Heal the Ocean believes the MCUSOB project is applying cutting-edge technology to an investigation that, when finished, will have vast implications not only for Santa Barbara, but for every coastal community in the nation – and possibly the world. Stephanie Jamgochian is currently working to raise at least $50,000 for HTO to contribute to Year Two of the USGS study, during which DNA tests will be performed on the water samples from both monitoring wells and Mission Creek.
Meanwhile, we continue our work on the potential, if not likely, sources of groundwater pollution – septic systems, sewer pipes and laterals. Mindful of what these findings may mean to homeowners financially, we continue to conduct, facilitate and oversee cost/feasibility studies, area by area.
GROUNDWATER WORK – FIRST YEAR
Drains emptying into Mission Creek have tested positive for caffeine and fecal sterols (evidence of human fecal contamination). Also, Heal the Ocean took to a USC lab samples collected from three USGS testing sites, and the USC lab discovered enteroviruses and human bacteroides in the Mission Creek/Haley Drain installation. (The city Creeks Division has since initiated the diversion of this drain into the El Estero wastewater treatment plant.)
Seepage run measurements along Mission Creek, to determine the connection between groundwater and creek, were conducted. This information is necessary to understand if pollutants from creeks are getting into groundwater and vice versa. USGS scientist Dr. John Izbicki said his team has discovered a "dramatic" connection between groundwater and Mission Creek – when the City's dewatering wells come on, the creek goes down.
Marine receptivity work at the near-shore during both high and low tides is mapping the position of the ocean/groundwater interface and the USGS team is using radium sampling techniques to identify exact areas of focused groundwater discharge to the ocean.
Seep meters have been installed along the beach to record the influx and discharge of ocean water over several tidal cycles. Over one of those tidal cycles, USGS samples for nutrients and fecal coliform to determine if pollution is coming from onshore or offshore.
End of Naples DEIR comment period August 28
by Katie McLean
Your opportunity to voice your concerns through mail, about the Naples development proposal detailed in the Draft Environmental Impact Report, ends August 28th! It is critical to inform decision makers of the depth and concern of the community. Every letter makes a difference.
Please write to express your opposition to the proposed development of Naples and support for the Naples Coalition’s alternative that moves residential development off of the sensitive coastal bluffs.
Send to:
Steve Chase Planning & Development Santa Barbara, CA 93101
123 East Anapamu St.
Pre-written letters are available on www.savenaples.org to be printed, signed, and mailed.
Oceanducks presents the Third Annual Channel Swim to benefit Santa Barbara Channelkeeper and other ocean-caring groups.
Santa Barbara, California (July 17, 2006) – On September 15-16, Oceanducks, Santa Barbara’s own ocean swimming adventure group, presents the 2006 Channel Swim, a fun-filled event that brings the community together to raise money for local environmental groups. The main beneficiary of this year’s fundraiser is Santa Barbara Channelkeeper, a nonprofit organization working to protect and restore the Channel and its watersheds.
Starting at Santa Cruz Island the evening of Friday, September 15, the Channel Swim involves more than 80 swimmers and kayakers who cross the 26-mile long channel in relay form, ending at East Beach in Santa Barbara Saturday afternoon. An award-ceremony and dinner party for all participants, organizers and sponsors is held immediately thereafter at East Beach Grill.
The annual fundraiser is arranged and executed by the Oceanducks, a local group founded to bring awareness to the ocean and encourage ocean swimming among young and old alike. The “Ducks” (headed by longtime swimmer Emilio Casanueva) have gathered at Butterfly Beach every Sunday morning for the past four years to swim, socialize and enjoy a potluck breakfast. Since the first Channel Swim in 2004, the group keeps growing weekly and includes swimmers of all ages and fitness levels. Many members swim together daily at Butterfly Beach, East Beach and Goleta Beach. Additionally, the organization offers adventure swim trips around the world, seeking out various locations to do channel crossings, including Mexico and the Caribbean.
Not only do the Ducks help promote health through ocean swimming and the importance of giving back to Mother Nature, the weekly gatherings and the Channel Swim provide a fun way for people in the community to come together.
For more information about the upcoming Channel Swim and the Oceanducks, please visit www.oceanducks.org or www.sbck.org. The 2004 and 2005 crossings were hugely successful, and we anticipate this year’s event will supersede all expectations.
Thanks for your time and consideration!
Sincerely,
Isabelle Gullö
PR Director
Santa Barbara Channel Swim
805-637-1892
isabelle.gullo@gmail.com
Posted August 2006 Blue Edge Magazine. All rights reserved.
