Imperial Beach Sports & Outdoors Tips by lmkluque

Surfing

Long before Imperial Beach was even a city, since the 1930's this has been a surfing beach for some of the greatests surfers in their history. Today, surfing is not the wild fad some of us remember from the 1960's but it is still an exciting and exacting sport and Imperial Beach still draws the most serious and talented watermen around.

Surfing is allowed at Imperial Beach and even a novice can find waves to practice on. Also, for the professional there are, sometimes, waves as hight as 20 foot at The Sloughs, occuring mostly in winter, that can challenge and thrill them as well.

The second photo on this tip shows a "real" surfboard. It is huge and part of surfing's past history. Most surfers these days use a much shorter board.

What ever your competence level, there are waves and boards for you.

Equipment: Natrurally, you'll need a surfboard, will want a wetsuit and a companion. Never go out alone!

Surfboards and wetsuits can be rented at the Surf Hut and it might even be possible to find a local surfer to accompany you. One thing that is good to know is that the surfers in IB tend to be pretty friendly and welcome new comers.

Address: Along the Coast from Palm Ave. to The Slough

Theme: Surfing

Website: http://www.surf-forecast.com/breaks/Imperial-Beach

Skateboarding & In-Line Skating Park

This is the first indoor skate park in the county of San Diego and a great place to take your teens. They have a teen cafe and a ball court in the surrounding outdoor park area. They are open Tuesday through Sunday from noon until 7:00 pm/8:00 pm/9:00 pm, depending on the day.

There are twenty ramps of plywood and masonite including vertical ramps, rails, quarter pipes, slider bars and others to challenge skills.

Anyone between the ages of 7-17 must be accompanied by a parent. The course is designed for no more than fifteen people at a time. Helmet, knee pads and elbow pads are required and can be rented there.

Admission is Free.

Equipment: Bring your In-line skates or Skateboards.

Address: 425 Imperial Beach Boulevard

Phone: (619) 423-7950

Theme: Other

Website: http://www.cityofib.com/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC=%7BACED5E48-45AA-4119-964B-549EF3F2FE0F%7D