Oil workers in the gulf.I did a story a couple weeks ago on the impending impact of oil on the surf community in Florida.

At the time nothing had shown up on the beaches of the eastern Gulf of Mexico and residents were still hopeful that perhaps by some miracle it wouldn't show. Wishful thinking it seems.

As reported by Surfline - the beast has arrived:

Oil on the beach.

OIL ASHORE IN FLORIDA

Second leak discovered as foul air and tar balls herald wave of oil

By: Terry Gibson
Photos: Nik McCue/SideStreamSports.com

Oil on da beach man.

After nearly two months of oil leaking out from the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig, oil has washed ashore onto the beaches and fringing marshes of the north-central Gulf Coast, which are some of the most fertile coastal systems in the world. And the weekend's passing front and small groundswell has finally moved the mess into Florida's Panhandle.

Brand Peterman, a 20-plus-year veteran surfer from Pensacola, reports tar balls and a nauseating stench. "It smells like a billion broken crayons," he says. "I'm sick, other guys are sick, and we wonder whether it's from the oil or because the oil has weakened our immune systems."

Surfers are taking it personally.

Check the full story here.