Easy to learn and family oriented, beach tennis is attracting players of all skill levels from all over Southern California. Five years ago, tennis coach and beach tennis standout Donny Young asked the Hermosa Beach City Council for permanent beach tennis courts at 14th Street and The Strand.
Not only did the Hermosa Beach resident and founder and president of the Beach Tennis Association, receive permission for three courts in Hermosa Beach, he has expanded the sport to Manhattan Beach at 7th Street and The Strand and to Santa Monica.
“Beach tennis is all inclusive,” said Young, “All ages and skill levels can play in a competitive, yet great family atmosphere. We’re building the sport at the grassroots level”
The first beach tennis tournament was held in Ravenna, Italy in 1978..
In 2004, Beach Tennis USA (BTUSA) was founded and six years later announced a partnership with the International Tennis Federation (ITF), the world governing body of tennis, which named BTUSA as the governing body of Beach Tennis in the United States.
Upcoming events in Hermosa Beach include the Endless Summer (Aug. 22-23) and Indian Summer (Sept. 19-20) tournaments. “We had 75 people compete in the March Madness tournament in Hermosa and I expect even more at the summer tournaments,” Young said.
For free lessons or to register for tournaments, log on to westcoastbeachtennis.net.
