Surf’s Up

After the Chevron Oil Corp. built a rock groin to protect an offshore oil pipeline from El Nino storms, the surf at Dockweiler State Beach in Southern California was degraded, according to a study. The California Coastal Commission has ruled that “surfable waves” are a protected natural resource, so Chevron is being required to spend $300,000 on an artificial reef to improve surfing conditions at the beach. But will “natural” minded Californians want to surf on “artificial” waves? “If it’s a good, consistent break, nobody will give a damn what it’s made outta,” promises one surfer. “I mean, we already have to surf around sewage outflows.” (Washington Post) ...Leading, naturally, to billboards along the beach: “This Week’s Waves Sponsored by Chevron”.