Rincon, Miramar and Other Beaches checked for Refugio Oil Signs

Surfers say something unusual is on their beaches 30 miles from the Refugio State Beach oil spill, and they are hoping to see clean up crews coming their way. Reports have come in from Northern Ventura County and along the famous Rincon Beach surfing spot, although a check today did not show any alarming signs.

Tar balls were seen in the sea weed and at the high tide line.

Heather Hudson said what she saw was “completely not right.” Hudson was in the Rincon waters and said she saw tar around the curve of the coast nearby this week.

She also says natural seeps are in the area. ” I think something more is happening here. I think it is pretty obvious.”

A surfer who first got into these waters 50 years ago and surfed during the 1969 spill compared the beach break conditions now compared to what he has seen in the past.

“Lately the beach has been pristine and just this last week, these last couple of days we have been seeing all these lumps of tar. That’s unusal,” said Pete Hagemann. He had tar in his hair back during the 1969 oil crisis and was nicknamed “Pete Tar” by his friends.

Nearby Carpinteria beaches were clean and children were digging in the sand and playing in the surf.

The sensitive Carpinteria Salt Marsh was at low tide and crabs scurried around but no areas had signs of oily impacts.

Miramar Beach had some light tar ball sightings and a near shore spear fisherman said he was in clean water. He came out without tar on his body. Most who are in the water regularly said it was likely a hit or miss chance that any left over tar would come ashore there.

If you have concerns or need information about the spill zone you can go to :

http://www.refugioresponse.com/go/inquiry/7258/. You can also call 805-696-1188.

Slideshow: Rincon, Miramar and Other Beaches checked for Refugio Oil Signs