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Manhattan Beach 6-man Surf Festival Six-Man Party Guide 2012 Dates |
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Beach Bars MORE PARTY
PLACES & EVENTS: NO
LAST CALL! A local's look at the world's most bizarre volleyball tournament even as it survives a crackdown.
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Surf Festival and 6-man Volleyball
Tournament
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Surfest/6-man 2012 Moved to Mid-Week The Manhattan Beach City Council has set the 2011 6-man for July 31-Aug. 1. That's a Tuesday and Wedensday, not a Saturday and Sunday. Sad, but true. Now here's a look at 6-man 2011
There was still a party. But the party was not so much on the beach but in the bars and especially the houses on the Strand. Could the crackdown on the sand revive the once-legendary Manhattan Beach house parties!? Sure seems that way. There were tons of barricades on the beach and entrance points at the Pier, 9th Street and even two blocks to the north at 12th Street hassecurity stationed checking backpacks for "contraband." And that meant alcohol.
Actually, things were really under control and calm, and police and security sseemed pretty relaxed, which kept everyone in a relaxed mood themselves. There were the usual costumes – Tropic Thunder, Scottish Kilts, Running of the Bulls matadors and "Hulk Hogan" – so in some ways, 6-man was much the same as it has been for years. Unfortunately, for the future, the games won't continue. 2011 6-MAN WINNERS: SIMMZY'S A new winner emerged at 6-man in 2011 as Simmzy's beat Magnum p.i., 15-9 in an electrifying final on Sunday before a few hundred people on the Strand and around Court 5. Comprised mainly of talent from the top collegiate programs of UC Santa Barbara and UC Irvine, Simmzy's had an edge over the defending champions. Other than the actual play, Simmzy's had one advantage Magnum could not overcome: Many players don't have the name recognition yet so they could take advantage of that in their rotation. At Magnum, the refs not only know all the players, they know where the work (one is a bartender at 12 + HIghland), what kind of tequila they drink and who they slept with the previous night. When there is a sideout, the players must rotate according to t he rules. Simmzy's players could kind of hide in their (up until now) obscurity and sneak hitters back to the net. That being said, Simmzy's was also a bit hungrier and in the end that proved to be the biggest difference.
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It's nearly impossible to walk along the tents by the shore.

The 2009 winners, Smack's Magnum P.I., and the PubClubettes.
Photo: Simon Leung Photography

Before winning the 2009 title, Magnum dances to Sweet Caroline.

The view from the Strand, Surfest/6-man 2009.

In '08, PubClubettes Chelsea and Rose hang loose.
Photo: Simon Leung Photography
World-class volleyball players, top college stars and disguised AVP pros don costumes as if it were Halloween. In addition to a loose attitude, they bring their incredible skills to a 6-man beach tournament. Among the teams are the "Lakers" in Afro wigs, Magnum P.I., nurses, Matrix (girls in all leather), Boy Scouts, Abraham Lincolns, the Mullets and the Sex Kittens.


Girls can play this fun game, too!
Photo: Simon Leung Photography
The event is held the first weekend of August (well, not in 2012, unfortunately). Congratulations to Smack Sportwear-sponsored Magum P.I., which wins just about every year; in 2009 they were, no doubt, inspired by having the PubClubettes as cheerleaders one of those years.
It is under the even more watchful eye of the Manhattan Beach Police and City Council, and and whether or not it's the same party remains to be scene. Here is a look at the 2010 Surfest/t-man.

Team Danny Kinda brought a bikini crowd to their matches.

Make up your own caption here...
The popular tent area
of Team PubClub and the PubClubettes.
The rockers rock
on and off the courts.
The scenes of Surfest: cheerleaders, a bullhorn babe and more madness.
Even something as simple as winning a point creates wild celebrations.
This is some seriously-skilled volleyball in a definite non-serious setting. The Lakers (officially known as Team Fletch) travel with a portable basketball court and bullhorn and a local Mexican restaurant has Team Bikini, a collection of very scantily-clad cheerleaders. Their cheer "Drink more beer because you like our rear" needs no further encouragement.
Ahh, the good 'ol days. Let's look back at these times some more:
The PubClubettes cheers include, "Shot shot, what a shot. The PubClubettes are really hot!" And "Win or Lose, We Booze!"
Each team has a tent serving the types of beverages which inspire creative costumes and play, and Euro-style dance music puts the party-minded crowd in full swing. After a day on the beach, then it's a short walk to get spiked at the seaside bars where everyone spends the rest of the day and night trying to be King or Queen of the Beach.
By far, Saturday is the biggest party day. Sunday, most of the party-heavy teams have been eliminated and their tents are empty as they nurse their hangovers. But, when the quarterfinals and semis roll around, people pack the few remaining courts, well stocked on beverages, and kick back to enjoy the show.
A blonde babe and her beer.
The PubClub temporary
tattos were everywhere in sight; placement is a key.
Whacky and incredibly
skilled athletes take to the Manhattan Beach sand.
See, there IS some
volleyball played at Surfest!.
The cheer
"Drink More Beer Because You Like Our Rear" is a winner.

We'll get to the bottom
of this photo.
The
MBFD team was on fire!
That's nice placement
of the temporary PubClub tattoo..
Yes, that's rollerskaters
on the beach.
And if there's rollerskaters,
why not a little Twister?
The top banana?
After the tournament,
girls show off their PubClub tattoos at a beachside bar.
Surfest Action Photos
The '05 winners, Magnum
P.I. "Smacked" it to Team Fletch, but lost in the '06 rematch
Team photo: Time to
celebrate!
There is some serious play going on, as these girls on the go show.
The scene on Saturday..
In the Shellback Tavern
afterward, things tend to get a bit crazy (top, bottom).
Okay, what's missing
here? Right, their drinks!