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Several youth surf camps in the Los Angeles area are experiencing a decline in attendance this summer due to parental concerns about toxins from the Palisades fire. Despite assurances from authorities that the waters in Santa Monica Bay are safe, some parents remain hesitant to send their children to surf camps.
The Palisades fire, which occurred in January, burned to the Pacific shore, raising fears about potential contamination. Dylan Sohngen, executive director of Aqua Surf, reported a 20% to 30% drop in business, attributing the decline to parental worries about water safety. "There are a lot of families who are just going to pass on it this year," Sohngen said, noting that surf camps are often considered a luxury activity.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health lifted an ocean water quality advisory in April, stating that testing revealed no dangerous levels of chemicals related to the wildfires. However, some parents, like Ivy Cavic, remain cautious, citing concerns about long-term effects. "There’s just so much out there... the only thing I can control is protecting my kid," Cavic said.
Surf camp operators have expressed understanding of parental concerns but are frustrated by the economic impact. According to the Los Angeles Times, Anthony Petri, owner of Always Summer Surf School in Malibu, emphasized the financial strain, saying, "Everyone’s gonna go bankrupt."
The fire forced some camps to relocate from Will Rogers State Beach due to debris processing in the area. Heal the Bay conducted tests and found elevated levels of certain pollutants, but they were below human health limits. Nonetheless, the uncertainty has left some parents and surf enthusiasts wary.
As the summer progresses, surf camp operators hope for a rebound in attendance and a return to normalcy, while continuing to monitor environmental conditions and communicate with concerned families.