hazmat surfing forecasts an ominous fate for future beach-goers

hazmat surfing forecasts an ominous fate for future beach-goers
all images © dyrland productions and mike marshall

a hopeful surfing trip to los angeles in october 2014 left washington-based photographer michael dyrland disenchanted and disturbed. following an unusual bout of heavy rain in the coastal city, dyrland was told he couldn’t go in the water as planned. since it rains so infrequently in L.A., sewage, garbage, oil and fecal matter make their way from the semi-flooded streets to the sand and the ocean, creating a literally sickening mix of chemicals, bacteria and bodily fluid.

these mind-boggling yet undeniable circumstances prompted dyrland to bring awareness to the decreasing water quality of our oceans. through the photographic series ‘hazmat surfing’, dyrland — in partnership with the surfrider foundation — captures the reality of what our shorelines might look like should we continue to follow current pollution trends. in the images, surfers and lifeguards don yellow anti-contamination suits to protect themselves from the polluted waters. the figures’ surreal presence on the sandy shore, surrounded by a smoggy sky, sets a dystopian tone that makes a distinct mark on the viewer. the dismal lives of these heavily-cloaked future beach-goers brings to light a raw view of the potentially poisonous environment we could be setting ourselves up for.

the series brings awareness to the decreasing water quality of our oceans

each image aims to captures the reality of what our shorelines might look like

surfers and lifeguards don yellow anti-contamination suits to protect themselves from the polluted waters

the figures’ surreal presence sets a dystopian tone that makes a distinct mark on the viewer