International Surf Festival Ready To Make Waves

REDONDO BEACH, CA – The 56th Annual International Surf Festival is ready to make waves in the South Bay from August 1-5, with participants ranging in age from eight to their late 80s, according to their website. The three signature events are the Judge Taplin Lifeguard Medley Relay, the Dwight Crum Pier-to-Pier Swim, and the Charley Saikley 6-Man Volleyball Tournament, but there are a wide variety of events including a bodysurfing contest, beach run, and paddleboard races, the festival website said.

Redondo Beach will host the festival this year, which kicks off with the King Harbor Youth Sailing Event on August 1 at 5:30 p.m. Before the founding of the festival in 1962, Redondo, Hermosa and Manhattan Beaches all had their own festivals. The International Surf Festival became a joint effort by the three beach cities, the chambers of commerce, and Los Angeles County, with initial funding coming from those groups with no commercial sponsorship, according to the festival website.

Since then, the festival has come a long way with sponsors including: Beachsport.org, Toyota, Michelob Ultra, and more. This year, Guaclandia by Wholly Guacamole will make an appearance as well. The mobile exhibit for avocado enthusiasts will include bottomless guacamole, a pop art-style avocado wall, and interactive avocado installations. Guaclandia will be at the festival from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on August 3-4, and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on August 5. Stop by the free booth if you'd like to eat your weight in guac.

For more information or to see a schedule of events, please visit the International Surf Festival website.

Image via Shutterstock