Between stay-at-home orders, threats of fines for surfing and the off chance of getting shot at (if you happen to live in Costa Rica), there are plenty of reasons to steer clear of the beach right now. But if the sum total of those is somehow still not enough to keep you from paddling out, consider this: coastal breezes don’t care about our social distancing protocols and can carry the COVID-19 virus distances greater than 6 feet. That’s right, according to UC San Diego atmospheric scientist Kim Prather, who studies how viruses and bacteria can be transmitted in the ocean, your 6-foot safety bubble is burst when you enter a breezy environment, as the ocean and beaches frequently are.

How U.S. Surf Shops Are Trying to Adapt During COVID-19 Pandemic

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“Surfers are saying that they’re safe if they stay 6 feet away from other people, but that’s only true if the air isn’t moving,” Prather told the San Diego Union-Tribune. “Most of the time, there’s wind or a breeze at the coast. Tiny drops of virus can float in the air and get blown around.” In the UT article, Prather compares the way virus-carrying droplets travel in the breeze to the way cigarette smoke travels downwind. While you’re not gonna smell someone’s ciggy from very far away when the air is still, you can pick it up from a good distance with the wind.

Global Surf Tourism Grinds to a Halt Due to COVID-19 Pandemic

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So what would be considered safe social distancing amid an ocean breeze? Pretend you’re standing 6 feet away from someone at the beach. OK, now back up. Keep going back. A little further back. Are you in your house yet? Great, you nailed it. But in all seriousness, it’s not something we should be pushing our luck with, and there will still be waves whenever COVID-19 is finally in the rearview. In the meantime, you can always pass those quarantine hours watching some of these, or tuning into a live stream of a classic surf VHS, or even taking a stab at growing your own food. This article originally appeared on Surfer.com and was republished with permission.

For access to exclusive gear videos, celebrity interviews, and more, subscribe on YouTube!

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Between stay-at-home orders, threats of fines for surfing and the off chance of getting shot at (if you happen to live in Costa Rica), there are plenty of reasons to steer clear of the beach right now. But if the sum total of those is somehow still not enough to keep you from paddling out, consider this: coastal breezes don’t care about our social distancing protocols and can carry the COVID-19 virus distances greater than 6 feet.

That’s right, according to UC San Diego atmospheric scientist Kim Prather, who studies how viruses and bacteria can be transmitted in the ocean, your 6-foot safety bubble is burst when you enter a breezy environment, as the ocean and beaches frequently are.

How U.S. Surf Shops Are Trying to Adapt During COVID-19 Pandemic

Read article

“Surfers are saying that they’re safe if they stay 6 feet away from other people, but that’s only true if the air isn’t moving,” Prather told the San Diego Union-Tribune. “Most of the time, there’s wind or a breeze at the coast. Tiny drops of virus can float in the air and get blown around.”

How U.S. Surf Shops Are Trying to Adapt During COVID-19 Pandemic

Read article

How U.S. Surf Shops Are Trying to Adapt During COVID-19 Pandemic

In the UT article, Prather compares the way virus-carrying droplets travel in the breeze to the way cigarette smoke travels downwind. While you’re not gonna smell someone’s ciggy from very far away when the air is still, you can pick it up from a good distance with the wind.

Global Surf Tourism Grinds to a Halt Due to COVID-19 Pandemic

Read article

So what would be considered safe social distancing amid an ocean breeze? Pretend you’re standing 6 feet away from someone at the beach. OK, now back up. Keep going back. A little further back. Are you in your house yet? Great, you nailed it.

Global Surf Tourism Grinds to a Halt Due to COVID-19 Pandemic

Read article

Global Surf Tourism Grinds to a Halt Due to COVID-19 Pandemic

But in all seriousness, it’s not something we should be pushing our luck with, and there will still be waves whenever COVID-19 is finally in the rearview. In the meantime, you can always pass those quarantine hours watching some of these, or tuning into a live stream of a classic surf VHS, or even taking a stab at growing your own food.

This article originally appeared on Surfer.com and was republished with permission.

For access to exclusive gear videos, celebrity interviews, and more, subscribe on YouTube!

More News

					4-Day Weekend in the Italian Riviera					



					Is a Club Med Ski Vacation Right for You?					



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					Is a Club Med Ski Vacation Right for You?					



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					The Best Value Golf Courses in America					



					Top Campervan-friendly Ski Resorts and Best Rental Outfitters					



					The Best Expedition Cruises for Unforgettable Adventures					


			All Stories

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							The MJ5: Tony Hawk on His Favorite Gear, Why He Always Carries His Board, and More							





							Here's the Difference Between Bourbon and Whiskey							





							Young Guns and a Supercharged Catamaran: U.S. SailGP Team Takes on New York City

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					4-Day Weekend in the Italian Riviera					



					Is a Club Med Ski Vacation Right for You?					



					10 Spotlights From the Prestigious Small Luxury Hotels Collection					



					The Best Value Golf Courses in America					



					Top Campervan-friendly Ski Resorts and Best Rental Outfitters					



					The Best Expedition Cruises for Unforgettable Adventures					


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							The MJ5: Tony Hawk on His Favorite Gear, Why He Always Carries His Board, and More							





							Here's the Difference Between Bourbon and Whiskey							





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							Here's the Difference Between Bourbon and Whiskey							





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							Here's the Difference Between Bourbon and Whiskey							





							Young Guns and a Supercharged Catamaran: U.S. SailGP Team Takes on New York City