Beach Cities Sports: Baseball, basketball, football, soccer, volleyball and more
Members of the Darfur United Soccer Team with (far right) Coach Mark Hodson of Manhattan Beach. A fundraiser is slated to help the team participate in the Viva World Cup in Iraqi Kurdistan in June. Photo courtesy of i-ACT
Fundraisers: i-ACT, a South Bay-based, non-profit, grassroots activist organization, presents a fundraising event and exhibit entitled “ONE STRONG KICK” from 6:30-10 p.m. Saturday at a private residence in Manhattan Beach. The event benefits the 2012 Darfur United All-Refugee Soccer Team from Darfur, Sudan, which is coached by Mark Hodson of EVO Soccer Programs and Director of Coaching at Manhattan Beach Sand and Surf Soccer Club. The goal is to raise funds to send the 15 refugee soccer players and five alternates to compete in the 2012 Viva World Cup in Iraqi Kurdistan June 5-9. Cost is $25 and includes food and drinks, live music, art exhibit, silent auction and a raffle. For more information, contact Katie-Jay Scott Stauring, 310-738-0285 or visit www.darfurunited.com.
Baseball: Mira Costa’s varsity baseball team will be holding a two-session Summer Baseball Camp for kids ages 7-14. Sessions run from June 25-29 and July 23-27. Camp Directors are Mira Costa head coach Cassidy Olson, varsity assistant coaches and varsity players who will instruct campers in hitting, fielding, pitching, base running and daily games. Cost is $200 for one session or $350 for both and includes a t-shirt and snack. For more information, contact Olson at cassolson@earthlink.net.
Football: Registration is open for a 5-man all-passing league in Torrance. Evening and weekend leagues start the first week in June. Inter-league playoffs will be held between neighboring counties. Must be 18 years or older to play. For more information call toll free 877-846-3178 or visit www.topgunflagfootball.com.
Velocity Sports Performance (VSP) will be holding a Lineman Academy for football players in grades 9-12. Instruction includes work on hip mobility, hand speed, conditioning and leverage. Sessions meet on Saturdays May 26 – June 30 from 11 a.m.-noon at VSP, 2607 Manhattan Beach Blvd., Redondo Beach. Fee is $199. To register, visit www.velocitysp.com/southbay or call 310-297-9001.
Volleyball: Beach Cities Volleyball Club is holding tryouts for high school boys not currently playing club volleyball. Tryouts are from 5-7 p.m. Friday at Rolling Hills Prep Gym, 1780A Oak St., Torrance. Tryout fee is $25. Registration forms available at www.beachcitiesvbc.com.
A 4-Man Volleyfest will be held in Hermosa Beach Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Featuring top players and legends such as Sinjin Smith and Eric Fonoimoana, the new event includes a Celebrity Pro/Am match. Admission is free. For more information contact Bill Sigler, billsmack1@gmail.com.
California Beach Volleyball Association (CBVA) will be holding the Icaza Construction tournament on Saturday and Sunday at Rosecrans Ave., Manhattan Beach. The Mens B competition takes place Saturday. On Sunday, the Mens Open 4’s and Master divisions compete along with the Fishbar Womens A tournament. Action begins at 9 a.m. each day. Fee is $42.50 per team. To register, visit www.cbva.com.
The Amateur Athletic Union hosts the Los Angeles Open beach volleyball tournament Sunday, May 20 at Dockweiler Beach in El Segundo. The event begins at 9 a.m. Competition includes girls 12U and boys 10U, 12U, 14U, 16U and 18U divisions. Fee is $63. For more information, contact Gino Grajeda, ggrajeda181@msn.com or visit www.aaubeach.org.
California Beach Volleyball Association (CBVA) will be holding the Hermosa Beach Youth tournament starting at 9 a.m. Saturday, May 19 at the Hermosa Beach Pier for boys and girls 12U, 14U, 16U and 18U divisions. On Sunday, May 20 a Mens and Womens A tournament will be held at the Manhattan Beach Pier starting at 9 a.m. Fees for both tournaments are $42.50 per team. To register, visit www.cbva.com.
Basketball: Registration is available for the Proskills Basketball Camp to be held Mon.-Fri. June 25-29 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Aviation Gym, 1935 Manhattan Beach Blvd., Redondo Beach. Open to boys and girls ages 7-14, the camp costs $185 before May 15 ($200 after). For more information or to register, visit www.proskillsbasketballcamp.com.
Cycling: The Los Angeles Velodrome Racing Association (LAVRA) has announced its 2012 race season to be held at the Velo Sports Center, 18400 Avalon Blvd., Carson. Located at the Home Depot Center, the facility provides a safe and healthy environment to ride and is the only world-class indoor velodrome in North America hosting athletes from all over the world. Youth and adult programs for beginners, intermediates and advanced riders are available. For more information visit www.lavelodrome.org.
The Baxter Time Trial Series of bicycle races has started, and will continue each Sunday through Sept. 30 on a course in Carson, near Torrance. Often called the “race of truth,” a time trial is a race against the clock. There are men’s and women’s categories for several different age groups. Racers are awarded points for placing and winners are announced at the end of the series. The Baxter Series is sponsored by the South Bay Wheelmen, a club for racers, aspiring racers, and those who just love to ride their bike. Participants in the Baxter races must be a club member and have a US Cycling Federation license, but membership and a one-day USCF license can both be obtained at the race. For more information, visit the South Bay Wheelmen website at www.southbaywheelmen.org. Click on the Baxter TT Carson for a map to the race site.
Soccer: Girls ages 6-12 are invited to participate in the Mira Costa Youth Girls Summer Soccer Camp to be held July 9-13 at the Marine Sports Complex, 1751 Marine Ave., Manhattan Beach. The camp is led by Mira Costa Head Coach Patty Perkinson and will include counselors from the Mustang’s girls soccer team. Cost is $195. To sign up, visit www.miracostagirlssoccer.com.
Fitness: AdventurePlex, 1701 Marine Ave., Manhattan Beach invites family members ages 5 and up to improve balance, strength and power on its 35-foot outdoor rock walls, which are open every day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Cost is $8. Also available is a ropes course where groups of seven (ages 8 and up) start each half hour every Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cost for the ropes course is $20; advance registration is recommended. Overall cost ranges from $8 to $2, depending on activities. For more information, call 310-546-7708.