L.A. International Surf Festival
On a vacation without much planning, it’s easy to fall into a slump – sitting on a tour bus during the day, grabbing a quick bite of greasy fast food for lunch, and then crashing in your hotel room with a movie or an early night in bed. While days like this can be fun, they’re not the most active, and they put you at risk of draining your energy for the rest of the trip. What do you do? We suggest finding something local to get you going again; plenty of major cities have races, walks, and other outdoor activities which will inspire you to start moving. If you’re in the Los Angeles area this next week, that local event is the International Surf Festival in Torrance. Just a thirty minute drive away, the International Surf Festival, which takes place from July 31stto August 5th, invites a variety of athletes – swimmers, surfers, runners, and soccer players to name a few – to compete for a number of awards and accolades. Here’s a look at what events you’ll see, what not to miss, and what other activities in the Los Angeles area will put some pep back in your step:
Surf, Sand, & Fierce Competition
Currently in its 51st year, the annual International Surf Festival holds a variety of events for all ages; highlights obviously include surfing, but there are also competitions in:
Volleyball Lifeguarding Bodysurfing Running Paddleboarding Soccer Swimming
There's even a competition for sand castle design! Beaches will be swarmed during the 6 day event, so it's best to plan out what you'd like to see before hand. Volleyball is one of the main attractions during the International Surfing Festival. July 31st and August 1st, the Charlie Saikley 6-Man Beach Volleyball competitions will draw 50,000+ spectators to Torrance. Why you ask? Teams of 6 arrive in various costumes - from your traditional beach volleyball bikinis to complete Village People ensembles. Just walking along the beach taking a look at the huge number of costumed teams will wake you up from any hotel coma. Check out these photos from past volleyball tournaments. And, of course, if you're into surfing, the ISF Surfing Championships are on Saturday, August 4th. Short boards and longboards will both compete for top place in their division on the South side Manhattan Beach Pier - it'll be crowded, but the Pier can provide some of the best views of the competitors.
More Events to Get You Going
What are you going to do once you're energized by the International Surf Festival? There are plenty of Los Angeles attractions that'll put that energy to good use. You can head over to Griffith Park for a one-day bike rental or make the short drive to K1 Speed Indoor Karting for indoor go-kart racing. Take your pick with the Go Los Angeles Card, and make the most of your vacation by staying active, awake, and satisfied.