No coastal surf break that's close to civilization is safe from bacteria infestation but it is manageable.<p>BUT sewage regulation can go a long, long way - take a look at the San Diego bacteria report <a href="http://www.sdbeachinfo.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.sdbeachinfo.com</a> - the regularly sampled coastal water is in general pretty good even though there was rain in SoCal last week.<p>Meanwhile less than 30 miles away the surf breaks next to Tijuana, Mexico are extremely high bacteria - that's about par for the course - really sad to see:<p><a href="http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/environment/sd-me-tj-spills-continue-20170914-story.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/environment/sd-me-t...</a><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEyeCm0GVKg" rel="nofollow">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEyeCm0GVKg</a>
Unfortunately, I do not need to see a study to know that the waters near Lima (Where I live & surf) are full of crap.. That said, the healthy effects of the exercising on the sea must counteract the bacteria, because I don't know a healthier group than the surfing community around here.
"The Beach Bums study asked 300 people, half of whom regularly surf the UK's coastline, to take rectal swabs" Good double meaning there.
I always remember when I first started surfing at the age of 10 in the North Sea. I was always sick and off from school with stomach bugs.<p>My anecdote is hardly scientific proof but this article certainly supports my thinking that I've now got a stronger stomach than most due to surfing at such a young age in terrible water conditions.<p>Over a period of a few years it just stopped and I was never ill again (after a surf)...apart from the dreaded and incredibly painful ear infections.
Download link for the original paper:<p><a href="http://libgen.io/scimag/ads.php?doi=10.1016%2Fj.envint.2017.11.003" rel="nofollow">http://libgen.io/scimag/ads.php?doi=10.1016%2Fj.envint.2017....</a>
I couldn't really figure this out from the article: What's the link between <i>antibiotic-resistant</i> bacteria, and manure run-off/sewage? It's obvious that there'd be more bacteria, but what's the deal specifically with them being antibiotic-resistant?
Totally worth it.<p>Just your periodic reminder that Surfing is one of the most fun things that a person can do on this planet, as evidenced by the fact that so many people have essentially dropped out of society and dedicated their lives to doing it every day.<p>If you live in a place near the water such as, say, the San Francisco Bay Area, and you have never tried surfing, you owe it to yourself to head down to Santa Cruz this weekend and give it a try.<p>Minor warning, though, you'll likely end up wearing your own personal groove into that highway over the next several years as you find excuses to sneak in a quick one <i>every single morning</i> once you get hooked.
If the surfers are swallowing that much water why aren't more of them carries? Is it possible some of them for some reason have a natural "immunity"?<p>Also, it's at least possible (in theory) it's not the water at all. What if, just an example, many of them have the same weed dealer? Perhaps not the ideal example. But life is complex and surfing might not be THE common tread for this situation.<p>Or what if they ate ice cream? (Note: I know the difference between bacteria and virus. The link is simply to suggest the possibility of some other "trigger.")<p><a href="https://arstechnica.com/science/2018/01/the-curious-case-of-a-boring-sugar-that-may-have-unleashed-a-savage-plague/" rel="nofollow">https://arstechnica.com/science/2018/01/the-curious-case-of-...</a>
Anybody checked the original study? Having a group that fights against sewage pollution in the interest of surfers recruit the surfers sounds.. sketchy at least.