Rising risks at San Diego beaches in the aftermath of storm's rain runoff

While most San Diego beaches remained open this weekend, the heavy Christmas week storms left an aftermath of potential danger and pollution along the coast.

Tourmaline Beach is where the surf of both Pacific Beach and La Jolla comes together. Most of Saturday, the waves climbed and crashed up to 10 feet in the ocean water stirred by an atmospheric river of rain Wednesday and Thursday.

“When you surf for a long time, you understand how the ocean works, and you use it to your advantage,” said Ryan Milo. He and a group of friends arrived just after sunrise with their boards ready to tackle the waves.

The National Weather service issued a High Surf Advisory for most of the morning, with a high risk alert for possible life-threatening rip currents the rest of the day.

Henrique Rodriguez has ten years of surfing experience. He said, “I treat it like driving, and look both ways before taking off. I make sure I’m aware of my surroundings, but most importantly I’m having fun with my friends.”

The high waves provided a dramatic show of nature’s power for many people watching from the shore. But mixed with the beauty was a build up of harmful bacteria and other pollution from storm rain runoff.

The San Diego County Department of Environmental Health and Quality issued a rain contamination advisory from San Onofre south to Imperial Beach. The area covered included Tourmaline Beach, the La Jolla Children’s Pool, and San Diego Bay and Mission Bay.

The County suggested activities like swimming, surfing and diving in the ocean should be avoided for at least 72 hours.

“(There are ) some pretty heavy rips (currents) along with the dirty water from days and days of the flushing,” Thomas Beagle told NBC 7. He has used boogie boards and surfed the ocean almost fifty years. He is staying out of the water for now.

Thomas Beagle has boogie boarded and surfed almost 50 years…he’s staying out of the water for now…

“I’ve had infections, I’ve been to the doctor,” he said. “A few of those were in my ears, and also a small cut in a finger got so infected (from dirty ocean water) my entire hand was swollen. I’ve learned my lessons.”