South Oz Surfers Report Skin And Eye Irritations
Since the beginning of March there have been increasing reports of respiratory (breathing) issues along with eye irritations, coming from the surfers in the Victor Harbor region, on South Australia’s Fleurieu Peninsula.
This climaxed on Saturday when a small swell and hot offshore wind led most Adelaide surfers to the region's popular magnets, that being Waitpinga and Parsons beaches (the affected beaches have now been closed to the public until further notice).
A greeny/brown slick was observed by most along with a foul, sulfur like smell, while inshore brown foam started to swallow the shoreline once winds shifted onshore yesterday.
Toxic foam at Waitpinga Beach (Anthony Rowland)
Additionally there appeared to be a mass fish kill event (including weedy sea dragons, leather jackets and puffer fish) washed up along the beaches.
Regular Swellnet contributor and local Andy Smyth put a shoutout on Instagram after he started hearing multiple reports of breathing issues, persistent coughing and blurred vision.
The response he received indicates that hundreds were impacted and it’s not just isolated to those two beaches. From Tunkallila to the west and Goolwa to the east, nearly anyone (apart a small minority) in contact with the ocean has been affected.
Even those watching high from headlands above, with no contact with the water were impacted.
Fish mortalities (Anthony Rowland)
This event has all the hallmarks of a harmful micro algal bloom outbreak, one which can be toxic to both humans and fish.
South Australia has been sitting under a fairly stagnant pattern of wind and clear skies resulting in a strengthening marine heat wave event through the two gulfs, extending out into the Great Australian Bight.
Sea surface temperatures inside and just outside the gulf (extending to Encounter Bay) are 3°C above normal and the build up of hot weather last week seems to have strengthened this even further into the weekend.
Algal blooms thrive under weak winds and warm sea surface temperatures and can be observed above by chlorophyll sensors on overhead satellites.
One such pass last Friday picked up high concentrations of chlorophyll (red colour) high in Gulf St Vincent but also in Backstairs Passage between Kangaroo Island and the Fleurieu Peninsula.
Chlorophyll concentration for the 14th of March (NASA)
There have also been reports of green, fluorescent water by those crossing the passage, further strengthening the case for a harmful micro algal bloom outbreak.
The state based Environment Protection Authority have sent marine scientists down to collect samples and identify the cause of the irritation but going by the colour and a previous mass fish mortality event in 2013, it looks like an algal species named Chaetoceros coarctatus might be to blame.
Such is the toxicity of Chaetoceros coarctatus, even larger fish that feed on smaller affected species can become victim, and this would account for some deeper water fish being included in those being washed up on the Fleurieu’s shores.
If this is the case the question then becomes, when will the water and surrounding areas be safe to enter again?
It all depends on how long the warm sea surface temperatures and subdued wind lasts. An increase in the local winds and cooler temperatures would help mix and break up the algal bloom, but this doesn’t look to occur anytime this week.
Toxic foam at Waitpinga Beach (Anthony Rowland)
For now, local surfers should exercise caution and if any symptoms are experienced, remove themselves from the water and environment immediately.
We’ll provide updates once the results from the EPA testing come in.
Comments
Surfed off the point at dribs first up Sunday morning. Already blown out but building swell. Had super sore eyes yesterday (all good today). Water out the back pretty clean, but last 30 metres close to shore very brown and very strong sulphur smell like brussel sprouts. Eyes felt like I’d been swimming in a heavily chlorinated pool. Be curious to hear if anyone else had issues.
Lots of chem trails in the area recently as well!
They're called contrails.
And I thought the so called chem-trails were supposed to bring rain...
No - the cookers think that cHEmTrAiLS are supposed to make us compliant. Sure isn't working :)
If they're trying to poison us secretly I wonder why we can see chemtrails?
We were at tunks Saturday and had coughing before even getting in the water. I had cloudy, blurry vision all day after that. Eyes are still sore but vision has improved. Didnt notice anything different about the water.
Yeah heard people up in the car park at Parsons copping it and not even getting in the water. It was stirred up in the air as well.
I surfed Parsons Saturday morning, surf wasn't great, very closey-outy, but offshore and clean. No weird colour or smell or anything to the water. I had a bit of a cough on paddle-out, but didn't think anything of it. After about half an hour I had really irritated eyes, which my mate who was unaffected by anything was helpfully calling sooky-eye. This got worse and I had to get out after about an hour. Got to a chemist and some saline flush out and eye drops fixed me up but sore eyes for the rest of the day. OK now.
Thanks Dicky, that's helpful. Lots of other reports noticing a slick and smell.
Same surfed Waits Saturday morning oily water on paddle out got a cough from nowhere had blurry vision for the rest of the day. I thought it was sun stroke. I heard PiRSA was investigating on the abc radio today. Couldn’t find any news so came here for the low down
Last Monday morning (10th) at Parsons for me. Blurry vision, sore eyes and cough while in the water. Noticed some light brown foam like you see at Middleton on the water. No noticeable smell. Vision was better on leaving the beach and flushing with fresh water but eyes sore all day. Cough persisted all week & maybe caused a sinus infection late last week too.
Good job for running with the story Ben & Craig.
Same with 4 of us on the same day. All came in with cough. I noticed the water was quite green that day and there was a something weird about the foam after a broken wave. Cough persisted for 2-3 days. My son was quite unwell for a few days. Weird
keep the info coming @swellnetters, super weird.
Goolwa on Friday really sore eyes afterwards
Surfed Middleton Friday and Saturday with no ill effects. Water quality was very poor though.
Sounds like the everyday experience!
Yeah SA crew coughing with red eyes in the car park is pretty common. Shame about the dirty water though.
haha
Haha.
Greening out in the old carpark trick
LOL
So it’s not affecting other beaches around Adelaide and Yorke and Eyre Peninsulas
because the water isn’t so warm?
Not sure but I'd say there could be more nutrients available at the entrance to the gulfs to kick things off? Northern regions could be affected.
Also any fertiliser blowing off the land could trigger it.
We've had quite a few dirty, hot days over the past few weeks, with heaps of dust blown down across the Hills & Fleurieu from the Barossa and Mid-North. With everything so dry, perhaps it's not even fertiliser, but just nutrient-rich (relatively speaking) topsoil blown into the gulf and encouraging explosive population growth in algae already primed by the warmer water temps?
I seem to remember something similar happening back a couple of decades ago when huge dust storms blew across NSW & Qld, sparking algal blooms off the east coast.
Stoked didn't head down went to work instead, few mates headed down and they said it was weird down there and they felt sick and sore eyes and I said probably the hot dry grass clippings and dust blowing off the land it's soooo dry. Spun out it was something more sinister, hope that everyone who surfed comes out unscathed in the end wouldn't want that shit in the body.
what a nightmare. never seen/experienced that that before... just the usual Middleton/Goolwa brown water from the Murray. Waits/Parsons is usually clean as a whistle.
often there's a decent high southerly wind event around Easter. hopefully it doesn't take that long to sort itself.
Hey Craig is this similar bloom to the one in WA?
WA is seeing an extended marine heatwave event off the north-west but they haven't seen any algal blooms like this that I've heard of.
I was surfin with heaps of carnts just of Vico when I started coughing up me lungs,
Me eyes were heaps red. To many bongos off the rock
Some great images from Andy..
Research from algae outbreak in SA Jan-May 2013
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/marine-science/articles/10.3389/fma...
ORIGINAL RESEARCH article Frontiers. Marine . Science. , 09 October 2019
Sec. Aquatic Physiology Volume 6 - 2019 https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2019.00610
"Marine Heatwave, Harmful Algae Blooms and an Extensive Fish Kill Event During 2013 in South Australia"
This article is part of the Research Topic Impact of Ocean Warming and Acidification on Marine Fish Health.
"In 2013, South Australia experienced unusually high and variable water temperatures (5°C above the historic average), with a peak sea surface temperature of approximately 27°C over a wide geographic area covering both gulfs and shelf waters. Over the same period and similar geographic area, a prolonged and widespread marine mortality event occurred. From January to May 2013, low level rates of incidental morbidity and mortality of abalone (Haliotis rubra and H. laevigata)
and at least 29 fish species were observed.
Mortalities were geographically extensive from Port MacDonnell on the South Coast of South Australia to Point Drummond on Eyre Peninsula, and including two gulf systems, spanning approximately 2,900 km of coastline."
ABC Report on 19/3/25 ; Tasmania Govt Biosecurity response " we will listen to our scientists" .... enough'snuff sez Jacqui
Went to Middleton on sat. Water was making eyes sore and surf was not consistent enough to override distracting smell. Drove to Parsons around sunset to wash off smell. Sinuses were suddenly sore like I had a flu and lasted till next morning.
Since it didn't kill me, I am assuming it has only make me stronger!
We've had a desalination plant in full operation, for the first time, pumping highly concentrated salty solution into the gulf since January - who knows?
I'd hope any possible source would be investigated thoroughly, especially with the amount of people impacted and media interest.
When considering water temperature as a factor, its worth noting that its been a relatively cool summer - again. Only one or two short heat waves with hardly any temperatures in the 40s like many other summers.
While feeling relatively cool with less of those severe heat waves, February was still 2°C above average, with the week just ending on Sunday the 16th of March being 6°C above average..
February..
Week ending the 16th of March..
Also the gulfs and surrounding waters are sitting at an Alert Level 4/5 regarding marine heatwave intensity..
Interesting, cheers for that. So in past years where the heat feels stronger and longer, the seas get a chance to cool down. But this year although the heat has been less intense, the higher temperatures have been more sustained?
It'd depend on south-east upwelling events in between the heat waves, in regards to mixing in with the normal surface heating seen through summer.
Spells of still, warm and clear weather would add heat quicker than hotter windier days which would remove heat from the ocean surface thanks to evaporative cooling processes.
Gotcha. I did not think anything of it, but this year I have occasionally noticed a few weird looking fish beached on the mid. And the eyes have been stinging slightly more in the water even on the mid (again, didnt think anything of it until now). So the seas are struggling a bit at the moment. Hopefully with the cooler weather it should all settle down.
We haven’t had sustained long periods of strong South Easterlies this year like in past summers. Therefore less upwelling allowing the water to warm up. Also less weedy days than normal. The high pressure belt has been sitting further north than usual hence no rain but on the bright side plenty of westerly direction swells . There’s a large volume of shipping passing through the straights. Wouldn’t be surprised if something has been dumped into the ocean. Dead fish washing up on Gulf coasts as well. No science here,just an old fat’s opinion.
Hey Craig changing subject, whats with all the cyclones forming off NW WA and shooting off west. Thought with the amount they've had up there it would had cooled the water? Please explain doctor....
Maybe not many 40s, but this summer has been consistently warm.
Didn't get into my pool until late Nov, but since then hardly been out of it.
Definitely the most I have used the pool since it was installed in 2016.
Can't remember last time duck diving and getting that freezing headache when first heading out. Been a few years i reckon even winter and spring the water is warm.
Got to Waits just after sunrise last Sat.
Had a look, only a couple out.
Water looked fine.
No issues.
Drove around to Parsons.
Already heaps out. Water looked fine.
No issues.
Went to the Waits side of the Parsons headland to have a look.
Hardly anyone out. Water looked normal.
Suddenly started coughing - felt like something stuck in my throat.
Wasn't severe, but persistent.
Didn't go out because there were no decent banks.
Ended up driving back to Middleton and surfing in the Bay.
As soon as I drove away from Waits the coughing stopped.
Heaps of people out in the Bay & around the Point.
Water looked typical summer for the area.
Was in the water for over 2 hours and had absolutely no issues at all.
Probably china
good job Craig
When the Murray River gets closed off, the water sits around maybe getting stagnant,
Not to mention the agricultural runoff all the way back to Albury .
Wonder if this has an affect?
Yeah I was on parsons point watching the slick the night of the red moon with the dude that reported it n a local farmer. We were like wtf is that. I joked and said maybe it's the Chinese, then the old Christian farmer that came to preach proceeds to tell me he has a picture of a ufo from that exact spot n I was like probably just algae. We swapped god stories in the moonlight together before I retreated to bed with blue balls but no itchy eyes. True story.
Did you come in a Benz van? I was the dude with the Bodyglove 8ft foamie who came there for a cleansing rinse after Middleton.
Yeas bro. I'm thinking it might be Chinese special sauce, need to make sure all the vaxheads are masking up before paddling out! I don't know I've swum in a estuary in Chinchilla with fracking and Algal blooms n not even a hint of the common covid....just saying
Jokes aside It would be good to get some independent testing fore shore
Would not be hard to test if you had the right kit. Could be a good Swellnet value add...a monthly chem report graph? If they did that and kept the blurry south cams clean I would pay more!
went out parsons sat mrning for 3hrs, had to stop 3 times comeing up cliff short of breath bit of a cough got to car park, saw a mate gave him surf report and gettin old etc stuffed comeing up cliff, had a laugh about it then felt dizzy went down cold sweat spewed, came good but had blurry vision allday.
Glad to know it's not my health issues caused it.
Already posted this on local SA surf FB page, but thought I would add it here as I have not been given an explanation for the black V I saw in the water at Parsons last Fri evening. Local farmer said he had not seen it before.
The first photo was the beach when I first got there. The subsequent photos are 30min later when the swell died down.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/xTSgXKvJbiLSd1gW8
Thanks Arsatr, that looks like a bit of the algal bloom slick to me.
Thanks again!
Surfed waits mid morning sat. Little re form shorey at the small carpark, was crap. Noticed a fishy smell, water seemed fine. Eyesight went blurry through the day, kept asking my young fella if the room looked like it was full of smoke or mist? He thought i was tripping. Had a bit of a night out sat and slept on and off all sunday till monday. Still feeling shit. Thought it was from Saturday night but just read this and it all makes sense now
Anyone still have symptoms from Saturday? I'm still having sweats and pretty bad fatigue, trying to work out if it's related, cheers.
Wow, I hear there are still prolonged symptoms out there, but see what others say..
Geez that sounds rough mate.
Hope you heal up soon.
https://theconversation.com/dozens-of-surfers-fell-ill-after-swimming-in...
locally same same.. south swell hits, reef break lights up and dumps endless foam balls on the beach, following week everyone is calling in sick.. probably would explain endless sinus infection to go with the surfers ear. so bad
That position on the coast came from the Chinese war ships in the area in the last two weeks ..all there toxic waste was thrown into our oceans…and now is on the south aus coast line !!!!!
C'mon mate.
Gunna need a lab report, where's the lab report?
https://suntzuartofwar.org/meaning-of-warfare-is-based-on-deception/
https://www.usni.org/magazines/proceedings/2017/february/deception-chine...
It seems likely that the type of the bloom is Karenia Mikimotoi.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karenia_mikimotoi
Just got a message about that being one of the species detected as well. From independent source?
Looks like there are limited reports of this kind of micro algal bloom.
from brazzo to blessed to brain-o to brand..
watch out!!
Karenia Mikimotoi it is...https://theconversation.com/mystery-solved-our-tests-reveal-the-tiny-alg...
That it is, confirmed by independent and also testing by the EPA.
The source looks to be the extended marine heatwave seen throughout the gulfs and surrounding regions, amplified through the start of March.
Interesting reading on the KARENia Mikimotoi on Wiki..
"In a May 2022 an announcement from DEFRA, the UK government department responsible for environmental protection, blamed mass deaths of crabs and lobsters along the coast of north-east England between October 2021 and February 2022 on blooms of Karenia mikimotoi,[4] but this is disputed by local commercial fisheries, who point out that blooms are unlikely as the water temperature, at 13 °C, is too cold. Instead, it is speculated that the polluting chemical pyridine is responsible"
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karenia_mikimotoi
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyridine
Thanx for report > follow up swellnet + great comments by crew!
Up to 20 or so larger regions brewing same strain 'Beer Tides' all share similar Coastal Traps.
Long Narrow Inlets / Shallow Bays of Islands / Lakes with Bars / Coves with blocking Hooked Heads
All have narrowing or choked Entry / Exit points that regurgitate the sudsing.
Of interest being like for like examples...some very similar although being worlds apart.
But all share constrictive flow with higher winds trapping outflow tides to whip foam up upon itself.
Of 20 reviewed Coastlines > Did not see one foam example without obvious trapping choke points.
It's that simple...nothing tricky about it...less needing of anything but self constricted choked design.
If tbb was to load each 'Beer Foam' locale > any surf crew here would say Yep! Yep! Yep! That quickly...
It's that obvious!
As said...could even turn it into a card game of matching pairs...that goes with that one...& so on & so on...
Either by flip geography or design...even partial silting depth...
So none are overly deep large Bays but rather similar Ocean compacted mid Volume Dynamic Design.
Usually an outflow near by to stoke it more so...
So roughly around four or five set designs that any surfer would see ends in an epic foam fest!
This of course goes without saying...Relative to Weather / Ocean Dynamic size, speed & scale.
Coz once again any ocean goer will instinctively pick up on any cause and effect as backwash on a beach.
Some with Large Ports do cross over into the micro foam effect of Shoreline over build mashers.
Same reason Groms head for Oz fav Micro Foam beaches and all know when...nothing tricky about it!
Micro Foam likewise occurs around restrictive Piers / Jetties / ramped alcoves of under-story utilities.
Those outcrop hooked capes with many jagged keys suds up the surf real fast...
More so if restrained by larger over build canopies of many piers that act like tided potato mashers.
Especially if tided with Matted / Chicken wire Dune fencing...
Shark Nets / Bommies / Isthmus / Rock Pools / Fish Traps
Countless estuarine outfalls act as blasting mincing jets during rain events.
One can imagine a Canal with set Lock height or Lake with set bar height
Both would likewise act as a bowl for further trapping the whipping effect.
Even the Temp difference of Lake to Ocean...
A bit of talk about Solar Flares growing Algae end of summer then Autumn Winds whip up the foam.
Happy to cue swellnet companion Foam Sites...
https://www.swellnet.com/news/swellnet-analysis/2020/05/13/what-causes-s...
https://www.swellnet.com/news/swellnet-dispatch/2020/05/13/five-surfers-...
If crew don't wanna buy the obvious & seek further more exotic avenues for Toxic Foam
tbb can equally provide Plenty of Contenders...take yer pick...all fit the bill nicely.
Perhaps not as messy as the Chinese Chop Suey theory...that's still yer Gold Standard Conspiracy!
Each Mayor be looking to blame it on a more exotic algae...just saying...
Plenty of Conspiracy theories to Fuel the Beast...tbb ain't got the guts...bloody coward!
Recent events that would fit the bill...who wants to rule them out...Huh! Buzz Kill!
Recent Fire Fighting Foam Runoff turns to Algae into Rivers > Meeting with Lakes > Ocean
Recent southbound Cyclonic Black Water Foam > Fish Kills
Them Washed up Whales be Foaming up the Shorelines
Nearby Tassie Large scale Farmed Algal > Fish Kills...all are electioneering over that.
Seasonal Autumn Farmer River Run Offs (2024 March - Aug for Adjacent Lake closure)
Well it is March & all the above Foam Conspiracies fit the timeline...
tbb's done the hard work...just pick one...Waiting!
Crew & mostly tbb would be Happy to buy into it...someone give it a crack!
Went for a grovel at Goolwa yesterday and then collected a bucket of cockles. Nothing unusual to report.
Then went and checked Dribbleton, wow never seen the seaweed so bad, what a sad excuse for a beach. A couple of punters were coming in and trying to climb up a weed cliff while getting hit by waves with a ton of weed turning their leg ropes into anchors, had a good laugh. Even out the back off the so called point it was black with weed. The stench of the rotting weed made it impossible to stop to eat our lunch.
It still seems strange that the toxic bloom was at Waits and Parsons, such pristine beaches with heaps of constant swell energy and rips to mix up the water. Yet up the Gulf where the water and air temp is warmer and the sea is dead calm there hasn't been any problems. Go figure.
*BIG RESPIRATORY/ skin irritation (SATURDAY 5/4/25)
Surfed this morning / afternoon at Middleton beach, South Australia, noticeable amount of browny / yellow frothy foam on the surface of the water from the beach entry, leading right to the back behind all the sets even in calm water. Thought nothing of it to start with but within 10 mins my eyes were absolutely burning. Continual coughing and substantial breathing difficulties followed. There was about 5 other surfers out at the time that also all experienced the same thing.
Fast forward being in the car park, not anywhere near the water and we were all still coughing nearly non stop. Was also definitely airborne as a large group of people from a 40th all waiting for a coach bus at approx 2pm all started to cough and be notably affected after only being in the car park a few mins.
sorry that's the state of things @adambiv, but thank you!
I'm really interested to see what the lauded winds do with this established thing.
Hopefully Craig gives a few updated insights : /
Wasn’t ideal for sure, but if it helps anyone out by avoiding the dramas I and others had then that’s all that matters.
Was crazy to see how strongly it affected everyone even in the car park from the winds alone.
Anyways, hope everyone stays safe from it. Still feeling the affects today.
"Inhalation causes irritation of the respiratory system and may affect the central nervous system, causing headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and nervousness. Pyridine irritates the eyes and skin and is readily absorbed, leading to systemic effects"
https://www.chemicalbook.com/Article/Pyridine-Health-Hazards-and-Toxicit...
"In March 2025, a marine heatwave-induced bloom of Karenia mikimotoi was blamed for the deaths of dozens of marine creatures, as well as coughing, sore eyes, and blurry vision in humans, along stretches of beach along the south coast of the Fleurieu Peninsula in South Australia"
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karenia_mikimotoi
On the news last night they reported dead fish washing up on beaches all over Kangaroo Island, both north and south coasts. All species from flathead and toadies to lots of large rays.
Could this be related to the south coast bloom?
Could it be related to them cranking up the desal plant at Lonsdale for the first time in years.
I remember the biggest fish kill I have ever seen on the mid was when they flushed out the desal plant a few years back. Coincidence?
Any of you marine biologists got any theories.
Huge amount on Chemicals needed to be Flushed thru a Desal Plant before a Restart
Pre-treatment chemicals:
pH adjusters: To optimize the water's pH for subsequent treatment steps.
Coagulants and flocculants: To remove suspended solids and improve filtration efficiency.
Deposit control agents (antiscalants, dispersants): To prevent the formation of scale and fouling on membranes.
Biocides: To control microbial growth in the system.
Reducing chemicals: To reduce the oxidation state of certain ions, like iron, which can cause problems in the RO process.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2214714417302556
@swellnet. Surely the resurgence in reports of skin/eye irritation on the Middleton side warrants a note in the surf report? Appreciate that individual safety is neither the reporter's nor swellnet's responsibility, however if a note of caution is included in the report, people can make better decisions as to whether or not they'll risk exposure.
Good point. We did include it during the start of the event but it is probably worth adding in again.
Cheers Ben, appreciate the reporting SN has done on this to date.
I'm anti shark cull but wouldn't it be nice if this toxic swamp algae got rid of a bunch of the pointers round the area.
get Hayden Burford on the blower.. Sharkslop algae-impregnated neoprene..
The news tonight showed millions of dead cockles along Goolwa beach and the brown foam at Chiton, Middleton and Goolwa.
In about 1965 when I was a little kid my old man parked at the barrages and we walked across the sandhills and then the 7 k's to the Murray mouth. All the way along there were thousands of stinking dead sharks and rays on the beach. Just as we reached the mouth I was feeling really sick and coming down with the bug that was sweeping through the Port Elliot caravan park. Luckily we hitched a ride back to the car along the river with some sea scouts in a yacht and I was chucking over the side all the way. Dad told them I was seasick, but we knew better as my little sister had vomited in the back seat of the car at the drive in the night before and Dad had gone to the shower block and exploded from both ends the day before that. So I guess these fish kills are nothing new.
It might not be the first time it’s happened (if what you saw was the same), doesn’t mean it’s normal.
Saw some images of the thousands of dead cockles at Goolwah, looks apocalyptic. Can imagine that would be a massive hit to the entire ecosystem.
No good at all!
I certainly got whacked with it yesterday out at Middleton - eyes, sinuses and throat - just recovered except for the cough today. Interestingly slight blurred vision which others comment on to - but my mate with contact lenses didn't. I noticed that there was a slight oily film on the rails of my board - maybe it sticks to the eye balls. Good on you Udo for bringing up the desal plant again - not the direct cause but may be adding to. Also wonder about the huge amount of black flood waters that came out of the Murray a few years ago with billions and billions of dying and dead carp and who knows what else. That level of biomass hanging around just waiting for the right conditions to interact with warmer water? Who knows - and that is the most frustrating thing - the EPA etc identified the type of algae and no further comment - what is the cause - is our coastline turning to shit? And if so what can we do about it?
It doesn't seem to be shifting quickly.