More than 100 surfers honored legendary Point Loma surfer Barry Ault, who died Christmas day of a Staphylococcus infection following a session in the water, with a paddle-out at Luscomb’s Point on Sunset Cliffs on Jan. 17. Ault was 71.
Two others who had joined Ault in the water following an unusual heavy rainstorm also became ill.
Most staph infections are treatable with antibiotics. Ault’s newly implanted heart value had reportedly weakened his autoimmune response, resulting in his death. The San Diego County Health Department advises that people remain out of the water for at least 72 hours after a rainstorm. Fresh water, which carries bacteria and other pollutants from storm drains, reportedly needs time to dissipate to a safe level. Ault, who grew up in Los Angeles, received a degree in physics from San Diego State University. He was a lieutenant in the United States Navy and a computer scientist by trade. A lifelong surfer, Ault won the Masters U.S. Surfing Championship in Huntington Beach in 1970 and the Hawaii Seniors Competition in 1980.
Ault is survived by Sally, his wife of 47 years, and his daughter Jessica.