SURFING SOAPBOX: Beaches get their grades

Here we go again. Summer is approaching quicker than the blink of an eye and Heal the Bay has just released its annual report card. Sadly, Los Angeles remains the worst in California. The nonprofit assigned A-to-F letter grades to 94 beaches in the state for the dry-weather period from April 2008 through March 2009, based on levels of weekly bacterial pollution.

While Los Angeles fell slightly below the county’s five-year average, Orange County beaches recorded outstanding water-quality grades well above the state average. However, it should be noted that a pair of historically contaminated beaches, Doheny Beach at San Juan Creek in Dana Point and Poche Beach in San Clemente, were again placed within the 10 worst beaches — otherwise known as the top 10 Beach Bummers, as stated in the report. For more information on Heal the Bay’s annual report card, go to www.healthebay.org.

In other related news, Laguna Beach’s nonprofit My Hero Project will be hosting its annual My Hero Fest Thursday evening at [seven-degrees], 891 Laguna Canyon Road. My Hero is an educational web project that celebrates the best of humanity.

I can tell you, being born and raised in Laguna Beach, where else in the world could there be a better home for such a nonprofit that celebrates the best in humanity? Our town is chock full of stories of heroism and individuals who inspire us on a daily basis.

I hope to see you all there, as it should prove to be another great celebration in Laguna Beach history in honoring those who make the biggest difference in the world today.

JAMES PRIBRAM is a Laguna Beach native, professional surfer and John Kelly Environmental Award winner. His websites include AlohaSchoolofSurfing and ECOWarrior Surf.com. He can be reached at Jamo@ AlohaSchoolofSurfing.com.