Foreboding over beach contamination spreading

Noaki Schwartz

NEWPORT BEACH -- As Bryce McGall looked over the crashing waves

longingly, he couldn’t help but wonder how he was going to make it

through the summer now that his surfing spot was closed.

McGall usually rides the waves in Huntington Beach, but the water

contamination there has pushed him south to Newport Beach. County

officials were still trying to pinpoint the source of the contamination

Friday.

“It’s ruined my whole summer,” he said. “It’s the first good swell we’ve

had all year.”

As the area of contamination has spread in Huntington, a sense of

foreboding has begun to spread into Newport. Local beachgoers, small

beachfront business owners and tourists are all dreading the possibility

their summer may be cut short if the bacteria floats into Newport waters.

“We didn’t anticipate that this was going to be as bad as it is,” said

Patrick Redmond, who manages the surf shop PJ’s. “It will dramatically

impact business.”

He is particularly concerned about the Labor Day weekend. This summer

took time to warm up and could end just as unexpectedly, which would have

a direct affect on beachfront businesses.

“Labor Day is the last hurrah of summer,” said Redmond’s daughter,

Bridget. “People won’t be buying beach towels, bathing suits and suntan

lotions.”

Doug Peck, manager of local eatery Mutt Lynchs, also is concerned about

the possibility Newport may be closed. The upcoming holiday could be

devastating for business, he said.

“How can you be here in a heat wave and not be able to cool off [in the

water]?,” he said.

Mike Smith, a visiting surfer and father from San Diego, agreed. He is

keeping a careful watch on the state of the water for the sake of his

small children.

Lynette Haught, whose son is professional surfer Jimmy Williams, suspects

she would have a hard time keeping him out of the water. Jimmy has

already suffered from the e-coli bacteria, which he caught in

contaminated waters in Mexico, and she is now worried he might get an

inner-ear infection to boot.

“I know as soon as I leave home, he’s in the water,” she said, shaking

her head.