Part of the allure of an AVP event is the sight of tanned, hard bodies belonging to athletes and spectators alike. But when the outside courts are empty, competition has narrowed to one championship match and the final four players are outside the lines, it becomes the job of the AVP Dancers to keep eyes focused on center court.
The first official dance team of the AVP, the AVP Dancers are midway through their first complete season after debuting at last year’s Manhattan Beach Open.
The concept for the troupe stemmed from “Access Hollywood” producer Whitney Frink when she was covering the 2008 Olympic Games. It wasn’t just the gold-medal winnings performances of the United States’ men’s and women’s beach volleyball teams that caught Frink’s attention.
“When I was in Beijing, I saw the dancers they had at the volleyball venue,” Frink said. “They added so much excitement to the matches. The crowd really enjoyed it. After getting in touch with the AVP’s Marketing and Promotions Department, it only took one meeting for them to say yes.”
Frink, a former Atlanta Falcon cheerleader and student at New York’s School of American Ballet, founded the team last year with fellow Manhattan Beach dancer Cachita Hynes, who serves as Marketing Director.
The group is comprised of 13 dancers who, among their credits, include being members of dance teams for the Clippers and Spirit of the NBA, the Broncos, Falcons and Panthers of the NFL and the Columbus Destroyers of the Arena Football League. Some have appeared on television shows such as “The Amazing Race 12” on CBS,” NBC’s “Park and Recreation” and “So You Think You Can Dance” on Fox.
Frink said the team has strong South Bay ties, practicing on local beaches and frequenting the many bars and restaurants throuhgout the area. Hermosa Beach trainer Robert Rose trains the team three times a week at a local Spectrum Athletic Club.
Dancers Wealthy (Hermosa Beach), Jenna (El Segundo) and twins Brandy and Brittany (Marina Del Rey) join Kali and Karlee of Los Angeles, Leigh Ann and Cheryl of Hollywood, Parker and Bailey of Huntington Beach and Natalie of Santa Clarita as members of the 2010 team.
Frink said the team has tryouts each year and those interested can visit the team’s Facebook Fan Page for details.
The team pays for its own travel expenses, relying heavily on sponsorship and the sell of the team calendar which will be available for half-price ($5) this weekend at the AVP NIVEA Tour Hermosa Beach Open.
“Our sponsors, like the South Bay’s Smack Sportswear, and Asics, are fabulous and we are able to travel to nearby AVP events like Santa Barbara and Huntington Beach with their help,” Frink said. “We will not venture outside of California this year, but next year that will likely change. The 2010 team will perform at six Southern California tournaments and countless charity, paid, and non-profit events where we perform or just to sign autographs and take pictures. We’ve really got a talented group of women here,”
 For more information regarding appearances, contact avpdancersmarketing@gmail.com. ER
