Pro Beach Volleyball Tour Dates, Times, Location & Social Scene
The pro beach volleyball tour known as the Association of Volleyball Professionals (AVP), is back in Hermosa Beach, CA.
Once a traditional tour stop for more than 25 years, the AVP returned last year and it was such a success, it’s returning for 2018, on the weekend of July 26-29. Here’s all you need to know about this event.
THE EVENT: Professional beach volleyball players in a double-elimination tournament on the sands of this Southern California beach. Play is on outer courts where spectators can put down beach chairs and towels and sit within a sandal of the action, as well as a main grandstand court for premier matches. Alcoholic drinks are not allowed on the beaches in California.
DATES & TIMES: Thursday, July 25-Sunday, July 28. Thursday (preliminary rounds), 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday and Saturday (main draw) 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday: necessary play leading to the finals, which take place at 1 p.m., and 3 p.m. The men’s and women’s finals time are decided during the weekend.
LOCATION: North side of the Hermosa Beach Pier, Hermosa Beach CA.
TV: Live, Sunday 1 p.m., on NBCSN.
TICKETS: It’s free to attend if you sit in the first-come, first-serve GA seats and on the side courts on the beach. For the finals, you’ll need to be there a good 45 minutes ahead of time or have a good die-hard beach volleyball friend save a spot for you. There are courtside and upper “box” seats available for sale, starting at $330 for four, available at: avp.com
THE PLAYERS: This is not the international FIVB tour, so many of the world’s top pros, including Kerri Walsh-Jennins and Phil Dalhausser are not competing. However, local hero Sean Rosenthal is in the field and is being supported by his rowdy band of faithful followers known as “Rosie’s Raiders.”
THE SCENE: Locals play a lot of beach volleyball and are very knowledgable fans. They also live by the true California beach lifestyle mantra of what PubClub.com calls “exercise and socialize,” which is to say they combine athletic activity and events such as the AVP with heavy socializing in the bars. The Deck and the Mermaid, two places right across the sidewalk called The Strand from the the courts, will be socially active from Friday afternoon thru sunset on Sunday. New this year is a “Kona Oasis” by Kona Brewing Co. PubClub has heard rumors of their being beer on the beach…
THE LOCATION: Hermosa Beach is a small town (a little more than one square mile) south of LAX airport in the Los Angeles South Bay. It is a beach volleyball paradise, with courts all along its 35-block beach featuring local recreational players, some of whom seem to play morning, noon and even into the night. Hermosa is also a paradise for singles and has a happening bar scene, especially on and around Pier Plaza at the pier.
THE PRE-PARTY: Smackfest Events is hosting the official pre-party on Thursday, with drink specials, at Sharkeez on Hermosa Beach’s Pier Plaza starting at 5 p.m.
THE POST-PARTY: This, too, is at Sharkeez Hermosa on Pier Plaza, starting at 3 p.m. Expect to see a few players at this party.
PARKING: You’re better off arriving via Uber or Lyft or, in the style of the locals, by bicycle. There is a public parking structure at 13th Place and Hermosa Ave., and limited street parking throughout Hermosa. Note the meters with the yellow poles are for 24 hours.
For more on this event, go to this article on PubClub.com.
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It’s too bad you were disturbed but this event has been happening for decades in Hermosa and is a huge part of the culture and tradition of the Beach Cities. What are you going to do for the beach concerts that start on Sunday?
The noise was unbelievable !!! The bull horn came into my living room all day long!!! Isn’t there a noise ordiance U were disturbing the peace & I want to see if we can reduce the noise for next year!!! Help the residents that live close to the water that speaker on the horn was disturbing!! I am on neighbor watch & very concerned! Sooo sorry but some of us have children