Stab Magazine | The putrid state of Rio de Janeiro

Live Now: Chapter 11 Mini-Documentary With Dane Reynolds

687 Views

The putrid state of Rio de Janeiro

Words by Morgan Williamson  Is it too much to ask for clean water? Apparently; that shit’s hard to come by. World class surf spots are continually plagued by water quality. It’s a shame we’ve come to expect, and if you live in an area where dirty water’s not a problem; good on you. If not you […]

news // Mar 8, 2016
Words by stab
Reading Time: 2 minutes

Words by Morgan Williamson 

Is it too much to ask for clean water? Apparently; that shit’s hard to come by. World class surf spots are continually plagued by water quality. It’s a shame we’ve come to expect, and if you live in an area where dirty water’s not a problem; good on you. If not you just learn to deal with the sinus infections, the possibility of growing a sixth toe and may or may not take part in lending an environmentally helpful hand. It’s not like a little dirty water’s going to keep you dry, especially if the waves are pumping. After all the sandbars tend to get better after a rain, and it’s easy to convince ourselves that the risk is worth it. It is typically; I like to think it’s just a continuous strengthening of my immune system. Thank god for far-fetched rationalizations…

The folks in Rio are fed up with their ocean situation. Rightfully so; according to this video for petition: 53 percent of Rio’s sewer is dumped without treatment. In a city with a population of 6.32 million, it’s impossible for that not to have negative affects on the ocean. So if you want to sign the petition great, but this is really a call to higher action. Triple overhead dragon slayer Carlos Burle stars in this tastefully artistic display on the current state of Brazil’s ocean.

“We wanted to show the contrast between the beauty of surfing and the truth of some of the beaches next to big cities,” directing duo 300ml told Adweek of the above clip produced by Instituto E. “This is a problem not only in Brazil. We want people to be shocked with the reality, and sometimes you look at the ocean and just don’t see it.”

Quebra-Mar_Main

Raw sewage isn’t good for anyone. Photo:

Last year before the Rio event high levels of raw sewage were detected in and around Barra da Tijuca for weeks. “On low tides, all that putrid water from Tijuca Lagoon gets washed out to the ocean and depending on the currents, can end up in Barra or São Conrado,” said biologist Mario Moscatelli. “Based on our observations and government analysis, the water is clearly below safety standards.” After the event many of the competitors reported falling ill. The pollution was so bad Joel Parkinson said “I’ll never go back there in my life.”

After all the chatter over removing J-Bay from the tour; should Rio be reconsidered based on its overwhelmingly poor water quality? If we are talking odds and athlete safety, the risk of being harmed during (or after) competition is astronomically higher in Brazil.

Comments

Comments are a Stab Premium feature. Gotta join to talk shop.

Already a member? Sign In

Want to join? Sign Up

Advertisement

Most Recent

Watch: João Chianca Had A Remarkable Hawaii Season Before His Injury

Plus an update on his condition.

Mar 28, 2024

Pittar’d And Feathered

Do the WSL judges deserve the internet's wrath? We asked the man of the hour.

Mar 28, 2024

Robbo, Pickles, And Tyler Wright Become The Underdogs Breakfast At Uninspiring Winkipop

The foreboding blade sharpens and inconsistent judging prevails on Day Two in Torquay.

Mar 27, 2024

“I Don’t Always Win Heats, But When I Do, I Try To Beat John John”

Slater shines and the axe begins its descent on Day 01 at Bells.

Mar 26, 2024

Back Against The Wall: The Ramzi Boukhiam Redemption

Morocco's first CT surfer on speaking six languages, having no coach, and snatching Fil Toledo's…

Mar 25, 2024

Will Kirra, Babies or JJF Stop a GOAT Winning at Bells?

Bluesky BOAG advice from a Superman specialist and former Trials winner.

Mar 25, 2024

Bells Preview: The WSL’s Victorian Sword Dancing Equinox Ritual

Will a Brazilian crack the Top 10 at Bells?

Mar 25, 2024

69 Shin Bones Later + the Anticlimactic State of Big Wave Record-Breaking

Lucas Chumbo might have surfed the biggest wave ever this year. But how will we…

Mar 23, 2024

Watch: ‘Fresh and Fried’ Ft the Quik Kids

How taxing is it to tackle the Gold Coast’s Triple Crown in a single day,…

Mar 23, 2024

The Popular Vote: The People’s Stab In The Dark With Kolohe Andino Champion

Which board looked best — to you —under Kolohe's talons?

Mar 22, 2024

Six Key Learnings From Portugal

Three CT events in, what do we know? 

Mar 21, 2024

‘Zipper’ Is Going On Tour, Here’s Where You Can Watch It  

Dates, times + locations for the Venice, Encinitas, Sydney + Byron premieres.  

Mar 20, 2024

Dane Reynolds On His Future, His Past, And Chapter 11’s Raison D’être

Our 9-minute plunge into the collective psyche of Ventura's pillar(s).

Mar 20, 2024

From ‘Blue Ribbon Cross Country Runner’ to Vogue – How Steph Again Is Back With A Rip Curl Remix

Everything we know about the she-GOATs sponsorship boomerang.

Mar 18, 2024

Stab Interview: Darren Handley Explains Why You Can’t Buy The Winning Stab In The Dark Model

And his decades-long standoff with Slater.

Mar 17, 2024

Griff Embraces Portugal’s Eternal Time Loop To Vanquish Medina + Ewing, Defay Delays The Inevitable

A redeeming closing act at Supertubos.

Mar 16, 2024

The Secret Behind Lungi Slabb’s Inconceivable Greenmount Funnel

Six broken boards, one leaking forehead, and five days of Superbank mysticism.

Mar 16, 2024

Cheat Codes: A Million Miles Worth Of Travel Advice From Coco Ho

Hard-earned wisdom from more than 2,000 hours in the troposphere.

Mar 15, 2024
Advertisement