Episode Details

For decades, YMCA Camp Surf in Imperial Beach has been a beloved coastal tradition for South Bay kids—teaching them to surf and soak up the sun right on their doorstep. But with Tijuana’s sewage crisis worsening, the camp’s own beach is now off-limits, forcing kids to bus 40 minutes to Mission Beach just to catch a wave. This cross-border pollution, fueled by failing wastewater systems and a booming population, has turned once-pristine waters into a health hazard, causing rashes, headaches, and constant beach closures. The ripple effects? Kids are missing out on water safety skills, junior lifeguard programs are scrambling across San Diego County, and the local ocean culture is fading. While U.S. and Mexican officials are pouring money into sewage upgrades and even planning a splash pad near the pier, for many young residents, the dream of simple beach days—bonfires, surfing, and salty air—remains just out of reach.

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