Words by Nate Black | Photo: Mario Moscatelli/OlhoVerde

With only days before the start of the Oi Rio Pro, fourth stop of the Samsung Galaxy Championship Tour, organizers and surfers alike are worried about the water pollution in Barra da Tijuca, the event’s main venue.

According to Rio de Janeiro’s State Environmental Institute (INEA), high levels of fecal coliforms – i.e. sewage – have been detected in the water in and around Barra for weeks.

This year alone, INEA tested the water in the area 29 times – and in 21 of those measurements the results came back negative. The last analysis, on April 27th, deemed the water inappropriate for swimming/surfing.

São Conrado Beach, which was initially the event’s backup venue, was considered too dirty in all 29 tests. Last week, event organizers decided to scrap São Conrado from the event all together, due to potential health risks caused by it’s shit-infested waters.

“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,” says biologist Mario Moscatelli. “Based on our observations and government analysis, the water is clearly below safety standards.”

Event organiser, Xandi Fontes, says that if the water is deemed a health hazard for competitors, a second scaffolding can possibly be set up further down the beach at Barra da Tijuca, 3km away from the main venue and 6km from Quebra-Mar, Barra’s most easterly point and where Tijuca Lagoon meets the ocean.