Surf the ASBS

Part four of four in our “I Love My ASBS” blog series highlighting why we love San Diego’s Areas of Biological Significance.

surf-divaI’ve heard more than once that the best surfer is the one having the most fun. That’s a nice thought, but it’s not strictly true. If you’re dropping in, mouthing off or otherwise being rude or unsafe in the water, it doesn’t really matter how much fun you have.

I think of San Diego’s Areas of Special Biological Significance (ASBS) similarly.

The view is gorgeous and the sand is white, but that doesn’t automatically make the ocean at La Jolla Shores, Scripps Pier or the Cove the best in San Diego. What do make them special are the habitats and creatures underwater.

With Scripps poised at the northern end of one of our ASBS, constantly studying and learning from it, and La Jolla Cove at the southern tip with breathtaking diving and snorkeling in reef and kelp forest, it can’t be beat. If you show up with a surfboard, though, La Jolla Shores or the Pier are almost always where the fun is. You’ll see the La Jolla Shores Surfing Association in the parking lot (“Surfers dedicated to the guardianship of our ocean and community,” how rad is that?), Surf Diva set up in the sand (hello economic benefit to clean water!), the San Diego Surf Ladies (there’s always someone to surf with!) hauling long and short boards into the break and sometimes me. I’m probably on an 8’11” TDK, my wetsuit has a few holes in it.

For the most part, I’m happy on a day that I catch a few waves and see that guy who is always riding the nose. And on my best day, I get a visit from one of the critters in the ASBS.

Just like the jerk or the kook, obliviousness does not excuse bad behavior. Luckily the ASBS comes with a state-funded project to protect it. The City of San Diego and UCSD/Scripps Institution of Oceanography have numerous research and infrastructure projects to keep runoff out of our water. Have you seen the new parking lot at Kellogg Park? That’s pervious pavement – a low impact development technique that lets water filter down through the ground instead of sheeting off into the ocean. You’ll notice diversion projects in the streets to prevent pollution-laced rain and urban drool – like overwatering and carwashing – from running down to our ASBS.

surfers-at-la-jolla-shoresCoastkeeper partners with them to spread the word. We host education events, celebrate World Oceans Day, Coastal Champion Awards and World Water Monitoring Day in the ASBS and write stories like this. (Start with #1 in the four-part series if you missed the diving, swimming or kayaking articles!)

So, let’s be the best surfers. Respect the people in the ocean. Respect the ocean itself.

I love my ASBS.

 

Photos from Surf Diva.