The lifestyle in Hermosa Beach, CA, is a bit different than anywhere else in the USA. It’s a bit quirky, a blend of exercising with socializing and a lot of fun.
This is all reflected in one of its signature events, the Smackfest beach volleyball tournament. This isn’t the Olympics, but rather a recreational activity involving 1,000-plus locals and visitors who put on costumes and play – or attempt to play; after all it’s not easy to make the perfect set when you’re dressed up as gladiators or wearing aquatic inflatables, as is often the case – a sport that is more popular in this Los Angeles beach town than surfing.
When the volleyballs roll out on June 28 this year, it will mark a landmark anniversary for this landmark event. It will be the 30th anniversary of Smackfest.
Teams register here and it is such a popular event that last year, it sold out in four minutes. For spectators it’s all free to attend.
“It started out as the launch party for Smack Sportswear in 1995” said Bill Sigler, founder of Smack Sportwear. “We first held it at 15th St. in Manhattan Beach with about 50 people. For the first 4 years, we held it there, dug kegs into the sand and made it a big beach party. And then moved it to Hermosa Beach in 1999, and we held it at 8th St. In 2003 we moved it to Hermosa Pier. That’s when people really started getting dressed up in costumes.
“This year we’re moving it to the north side of the Pier to give us more courts and more open space. We’re gonna do some really crazy things for the 30th anniversary. You won’t wanna miss it!”
Longtimers know to block out the day as soon as the date is announced, whether they are playing or just walking up and down the many rows of team tents lined up on the sand by the Hermosa Beach Pier. The bars on Pier Ave., know to stock up on the drinks, for participants and spectators dash in and out of them all day. Sharkeez, being the host bar, is particularly lively.
On the sand, things are pumping with a DJ playing music, vendor tents set up giving away product samples and more than 1,000 people playing or taking part in the upbeat scene that is a true reflection of this community, where the prevailing attitude is “I’m still in college” no matter the age everyone at Smackfest.
Locals need to note that this year’s event is the end of June, not its usual end-of-July date. Smackfest 2025 is presented by Michelob Ultra and Smack Sportswear.
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