Floatopia draws masses, safety personnel

By ERIC LINDBERG — April 6, 2009

Drunken partygoers kept law enforcement and emergency personnel on their toes in Isla Vista last weekend with fights, underage drinking and injuries during a mass gathering of students and out-of-towners, authorities said.

Normally that description is reserved for the fall, when thousands gather in the seaside locale for Halloween debauchery, but a recent phenomenon known as Floatopia has officials concerned about safety issues and environmental damage.

A crowd estimated at between 10,000 and 12,000 people gathered along the beach and in the water in the 6500 block of Del Playa Drive on Saturday afternoon, a number that Lt. Brian Olmstead of the Isla Vista Foot Patrol said is two to three times larger than last year.

“There was a lot of drinking going on, a lot of underage, irresponsible drinking,” he said.

Authorities took at least a dozen people to the hospital for alcohol poisoning. Others made their own way to the hospital after they sliced open their feet on broken glass.

“We had fights, we had people throwing bottles and debris from the balconies above the beach,” Olmstead said, adding that one woman had her head split open by a falling glass bottle and was taken to the hospital.

In addition to a dozen foot patrol officers, deputies from Goleta and officers from the UC Santa Barbara police department responded to handle the crowd during the peak hours of the event, authorities said.

Officials called out four county fire engines and two ambulances, as well as a search and rescue crew and the fire department’s rescue helicopter, to keep an eye on the revelers.

“Mainly, we’re there to provide safety in case something happens on the water, in case there needs to be a rescue,” County Fire Capt. David Sadecki said.

While the majority of partiers remained on the shore, a large group of people made their way into the water on rafts and other flotation devices, Olmstead said.

Due to safety concerns about water currents and winds, he said dozens of rescue personnel had to be pulled in from other areas.

“We probably had 20 county firefighters that ended up getting assigned to the incident,” Olmstead said. “One of the things that’s important to note is that they were forced to redistribute their units around so in some places they were without their normally assigned fire engine. This event had an impact on the county as a whole.”

Providing law enforcement and safety personnel to monitor the event and handle any incidents probably used up tens of thousands of dollars, he said. Partygoers started making their way down to the beach at 11:30 a.m. and the festivities didn’t wind up until after 6 p.m., authorities said.

When the crowds did disperse, they left behind food, broken bottles, cans, shoes, towels and even wood from homemade rafts, Olmstead said.

“The destruction on the beach, the amount of trash on the beach was just disgusting,” he said.

Particularly galling was the fact that many students consider themselves an eco-friendly population, he said, adding that he is disappointed in those who left trash behind.

A handful of people remained to pick up garbage and a few environmental groups roamed along the beach the following day.

“A lot of it was washing out into the ocean,” Olmstead said. “It was really sad and disgusting.”

Authorities are already reviewing video footage taken during the event and planning strategies to address the new annual party.

Olmstead said Floatopia is a relatively recent phenomenon, springing up in the last five years or so. He said officials will be looking into staffing issues, educational opportunities and ordinances to enforce, similar to how law enforcement approaches Halloween in Isla Vista.

“This is actually almost kind of more dangerous [than Halloween],” Olmstead said. “Down on the beach, you have the ocean and the surf zone and people going in and out of the water on flimsy rafts or wrestling on rafts and everybody is drunk. … There is an easy possibility of people drowning and not even being noticed.”

Editor's Note: This story has been updated from an earlier version.

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Brainless college students : 4/6/2009

Kill the beach and pollute the ocean.

ucsb needs to shrink

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One-sided : 4/7/2009

Maybe you should interview someone who actually was an attendee of the event. Olmstead has good points, but the Daily Sound really needs to stop joining in on the I.V. hating that's rampant throughout santa barbara.

IV Love

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IV Idiots : 4/8/2009

Never in my life did I think undergraduates were so common-sense challenged than coming to UCSB for graduate school. These kids take drinking and promiscuity to new levels. I guess going to a school that actually emphasizes learning over partying sheltered me from the immature ways. One-sided, how can you argue with the disgusting amount of waste that was left by your flagrant counterparts? IV hating is rampant because its a mess.

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: 4/8/2009

The Daily Sound probably should have included information about the HUGE group of UCSB students who came together to CLEAN THE BEACH after Floatopia ended. And to those posting hate comments, don't be jealous that we can have a good time AND continue to get good grades and go to such a great school.

SB lover

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... : 4/10/2009

Its called hIV for a reason folks...

notorious

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Student Pollution : 4/11/2009

You can argue all you want about reporting facts. This is a fact. Wondering what happens when the tide comes in and scoops up your floatopia trash and micro particles? Do you have any idea of moon, tide, currents at "your" beach? Here is what's happening to the trash you don't see on the beach.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tnUjTHB1l... How many of you attend the Bren school? I'm sending him information on how his money is being spent. I'm also thinking about implementing a UCSB graduate hiring boycott from 2009 to ? at my company, will other business join me? maybe that's what it will take. As a native of SB, I've endured my house going up in flames, the oil spill, tragic deaths of family and friends. The one thing that has kept me sane, was being able to paddle out into the ocean, ride waves and purify myself. In this day and time, the lack of respect for my "mother" has motivated my to fight back once mor. No one f...s with my mom.

lordledbetter

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UCSB LRDP-this is why you need to listen : 4/11/2009

If there was ever an example of the HUGE impact UCSB students have on the surrounding communities and the massive costs of public safety, public works, roads---the evidence presented by the photos and facts surrounding this latest excuse for "fun" will live forever in infamy. Can't wait for the photos/videos/costs associated with MAY 9---good luck spinning this, Mr. Chancellor

disgusted UCSB grad

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Green Hypocrisy : 4/11/2009

These must be the same greenies who want us to carry around hippie totes to get our groceries to the car.

Realist

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Floatopia 2 - NO! : 4/23/2009

Please read UCSB Vice Chancellor Michael Young's letter and join us in an environmental mission. http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=75202338174

Rod Tucknott

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