In terms of bragging rights and even purses, neighborhood beach volleyball tournaments rival their pro counterparts, at least in the minds of participants and fans. Smackfest crowds and the 16th Street Labor Day Calcutta often exceed those of some pro events. A BarryBob or a Seawright victory brings bragging rights every bit as prestigious as some pro tournaments.
Summer Kickoff
Saturday, June 6
Smackfest
Saturday, July 18
Hermosa Beach pier
The first major neighborhood tournament is the Summer Kickoff on Saturday June 6, sponsored by Bill Siegel’s Smack Sportswear and Volleyball Ventures host the Summer Kickoff Tourney on Saturday, June 6, just south of the Hermosa Beach pier. Over 1,000 costumed, four-member teams will compete for bragging rights.
Smackfest, an even bigger amateur coed-four tourney takes place at the same location on Saturday, July 18. It will included a Fun Division and The Dave Williams Memorial, a professional 4-player division, sponsored by Bud Light, with a $5,000 purse. Williams was a longtime Hermosa resident who headed USA Beach Volleyball at the time of his death two summers ago.
Last year’s winners of the inaugural Dave Williams Memorial Pro Division included 16th Street locals Kevin and Shelly Norman, Paul Baxter and Barney and Jake Rosener.
Coming out on top in the Fun Division were the Pandas, who included pros/NCAA standouts Danny Newman, Erik Gomez, Clay Paulin, Dylan Maarek and April Bernardi.
Smackfest registration begins June 1 and usually closes out within the first week.
On Saturday, Sept. 12 Sigler will host a Patriot’s Day Tourney in Hermosa Beach, honoring those who passed away on 9/11, as well as the service men and women who fight to keep America safe.
Along with the volleyball tournament that will feature fun rules, the event will include an apple pie eating contest, three legged races and more. Prizes will include Sharkeez gift cards and Bud Light umbrellas.
Proceeds will benefit Tuesday’s Children, which provides support for children and families impacted by 9/11.
Dig 4 Jimmy Surf N’ Turf
Sunday May 21, Manhattan Beach Pier
By combining surfing and volleyball, the Sixth Annual Dig 4 Jimmy Surf N’ Turf is arguably the most fun beach event of summer. Weighted, coed teams surf in the morning and play volleyball in the afternoon. Proceeds benefit Dig 4 Kids, which provides athletic and academic help for underprivileged kids and the Jimmy Miller Foundation, which provides ocean therapy to Camp Pendleton Marines and others with physical and mental disabilities.
JimmyMillerFoundation.org or Dig4Kids.org. ER
17th Street Memorial Day Weekend
17th Street Labor Day Weekend
Hermosa Beach
These four-man, summer opening and closing tournaments are approaching their sixth decade. They’re played with side out scoring and no net serves, the way volleyball was played before television commercials. The fans and players rival hockey fans in intensity and the finals are often decided by which team’s “A” player stands up best to the jeering.
Father’s Day Tournament
June 21
Manhattan Beach Pier
Fathers and sons and fathers and daughters compete in the Father’s Day Tournament hosted by the City of Manhattan Beach. 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. $100 per team. T-shirts to all participants.
Citymb.info. (310)-802-5448.
BarryBob Invitational
July 11
Manhattan Beach
The 17th annual 4-person tournament takes place at 9th Street and The Strand in Manhattan Beach. Its hosted by former pro volleyball players Mike Walmer and Kevin Cleary in memory of their dads Barry and Bob, who were best friends for over three decades before passing away in the 1990s.
“It’s a reunion for so many people,” Cleary said. “It’s also beach volleyball’s un-official Old Timers day and we always have a good group of current AVP players, too.”
Last year, Gene and Matt Anselmo became the first father and son to play on the winning team. The Anselmos partnered with Rick Deckart and Jon Hackett. The event also includes the 5th annual Junior BarryBob, won last year by Liam Barberi, Keagan Benson, Jack Gebele and Chaz Wedbush.
Seawright Volleyball Tournament
Saturday, July 18
Old Seawright House beach courts
The Seawright tournament was founded in 1968 by Hermosa pioneers Roy and Bonnie Seawright as a way to get their kids to bring their friends around during the summer. The tournament has grown to include three generations of players.
Charlie Saikley 6-Man
July 30-31
Manhattan Beach Pier
The premier 6-player, outdoor tournament in California kicks off the International Surf Festival. Crowds can reach 50,000 despite the City of Manhattan’s decision to gut the event by moving it from the weekend of to mid week. Defending men’s champions are 12th Street/The Deck. The reigning women’s team is 900 Club.
Mike Cook Mixed
Aug. 29
Marine Street, Manhattan Beach
Named for legendary Mira Costa High volleyball coach Mike Cook, players of all levels compete in co-ed and father/daughter divisions. $45 per team.
cbva.com or kpcleary@yahoo.com
CBVA
Throughout summer
Various locations
The California Beach Volleyball Association (CBVA) holds numerous adult and youth tournaments for all skill levels through the summer. The season culminates in the Cal Cup held at Hermosa and Manhattan Beach Sept. 5-6.
