By Kaila Turley (18) and Waian Turley (16), The Original Surfers
We are Kaila and Waian Turley, and we’ve been surfing since we could walk. Growing up here in San Diego, we’ve spent countless hours riding waves alongside dolphins.
We named our group “The Original Surfers” after these amazing creatures. Our love for the ocean and its inhabitants drives us to protect them.
One of our most memorable moments was a viral Instagram post about sea lions in La Jolla. It got over 14 million views! It showed the beauty and vulnerability of these animals. But it also made us think about the problems they face, like pollution from old, corroded sewage pipes.
SDSU Study concludes Ocean Fecal Bacteria From Old Corroding Sewage Pipes
We learned about these pipes from a 2012 study by San Diego State University. The study found that old pipes are leaking fecal bacteria into rivers that are emptying into the ocean.
Before the study, city officials blamed frequent beach closing from the San Diego river to homeless encampments or failing septic tanks. Which, if course, was trying to redirect blame away from the City.
The SDSU study found that the bacterial outbreaks in the San Diego River that force frequent local beach closures are caused primarily by leaks in aging sewer pipes, not by homeless encampments or failing septic tanks.
Fecal bacteria in the San Diego River is a HUGE problem because the river flows into the ocean. It contaminates ocean water. This forces the closure of beaches.
Old Sewage Pipes is a Major Issue in California Cities
This pollution hurts marine life, including our beloved dolphins and sea lions. It’s a problem not just in San Diego but also in places like Los Angeles and San Francisco.
As young activists, we are worried that our leaders aren’t taking this issue seriously. They are spending a lot of money fixing potholes but not enough on protecting our oceans.
This pollution affects everyone, especially because tourism is California’s number one industry.
Fecal bacteria in coastal waters puts your health and safety at risk.
This is putting California tourism at risk
Clean beaches and healthy marine life are essential for attracting visitors. If we don’t act now, we risk damaging our beautiful coastline and hurting our economy.
We use our platform to spread the message
Our Instagram page, “The Original Surfers,” has over 16,000 followers. We encourage teens and adults alike to stand up for the ocean. We’ve traveled to many places, like Mexico, Greece, and Japan, to raise awareness about marine conservation. In Japan, we spoke out against the yearly dolphin hunts in Taiji, which are heartbreaking.
Being named Best Teen Environmental Activists of 2024 is a huge honor for us. It shows that young people can make a difference. But this is not just about us. We want everyone to understand the importance of protecting our oceans. It’s not just about saving dolphins or sea lions. It’s about saving our planet and future.
We need more action from our leaders and communities. We need better infrastructure to prevent sewage leaks. We need policies that prioritize the environment. And we need everyone to care about these issues.
We need your help to stand up for the ocean and marine life
So, let’s work together. Let’s make sure our oceans stay clean and our marine life thrives. For the dolphins, the sea lions, and all of us who love the ocean, let’s make a change. Thank you for supporting us and joining the fight to protect our oceans.
Follow us on Instagram @theoriginalsurfers and join our movement. Together, we can make a difference.