Huntington’s losses are Newport’s gains

Greg Risling

NEWPORT BEACH -- While its neighbor up the coast loses thousands of

beachgoers because of a mysterious contaminant, Newport Beach has seen a

surge of beach visitors the last week.

Both city officials and business owners report an increase that

appears to be due, in part, to the beach closures in Huntington Beach.

Although there weren’t exact figures, it appears that tourists have

pushed southward, unlike the bacteria-rich waters that have polluted the

shores of Huntington Beach.

“We’ve been busier than normal,” said Brian Boyle, owner of Main

Street Emporium. Boyle said he’s seen a 15% to 20% increase in business

during the last few days. Most of his new customers interested in his

surfing gear.

“I get the feeling the beach closure had something to do with this,”

he said. “It’s come as a surprise. We are doing better than we usually do

at this time of year.”

County health officials are perplexed at the cause of the problem in

Huntington, which has closed a 4 1/2-mile stretch of beach. Bacteria

levels taken at more than 20 sites show a moderate level of

contamination.

However, a half-mile portion between 10th and Goldenwest streets was

reopened on Monday.

Lifeguards reported about 85,000 people at Newport beaches on Saturday

and Sunday. The crowds were attracted to the area because of warm

temperatures, good surf conditions, and the beach closure, said Lt. Eric

Bauer of the Newport Beach Fire and Marine Department.

The number of rescue attempts by lifeguards stayed relatively the

same, but parking control officers were kept busy ticketing motorists who

crammed Newport streets. Police also agreed the rise in activity was due

to the problems at Huntington beaches.

“There is a definite increase in the number of people parking in West

Newport, which is most likely attributable to the closure in Huntington,”

said Newport Beach police Lt. Doug Fletcher.

As close as Newport sits to neighboring Huntington, it has escaped the

path of the bacteria. Strong south swells have kept the bacteria from

spreading to Newport.

“If we had a west swell, that stuff would be coming in our direction,”

Bauer said. “We are very lucky. We could theoretically be in the same

boat.”