AUGUST 9, 2018 // 11
This year, the Seaside Beach Volleyball
tournament takes place Thursday, Aug. 9,
through Sunday, Aug. 12.
The event is an annual competition that
brings players of all ages to compete in 60
divisions. “It’s become more of a culture
than an event,” Owen said.
This year, Seaside Beach Volleyball is
partnering with the Association of Volley-
ball Professionals, the largest and biggest
beach volleyball tour in the U.S. “It’s really
an established event that is iconic in the
volleyball world,” Owen said.
A new partnership with the Association
of Volleyball Professionals elevates the
Seaside Beach Volleyball to a higher level
of play.
“The AVP is like bringing in the NBA
players,” Owen said. “You get an opportu-
nity to see players who are highlighted on
ESPN and on your national sports channels,
here in Seaside.”
Beach volleyball has become a staple of
Seaside summers. “We have a group of fans
that show up two days before to get their
chairs in the right spot,” Owen said.
The adrenaline and energy can draw you
in, whether you’re a player, a sports fan or
just a fan of the beach, Owen said. At cen-
ter court, there is only a short banner that
separates fans from players.
“You’re so close to the players,” Owen
said. “You can reach out and touch them.”
Sand play
There had been talk of Seaside Beach
Volleyball partnering with AVP in past
years, Owen said, but this year the timing
was right.
“They have truly helped us elevate the
quality of prizes and the quality of play,”
Owen said.
AVP has brought Wilson in as a new
sponsor for the tournament.
The top prizes for both the men and
women’s teams have been raised by $1,000,
placing the winning amount at $5,000 per
team.
The AVP partnership will also attract
some of the top players of beach volleyball
to the tournament this year. The result is a
bigger fan base.
In addition, the Seaside Beach Volley-
ball tournament could serve as an event for
college beach volleyball recruitment, Owen
said. More colleges are offering beach
volleyball scholarships, and the tournament
could serve as a hot spot for future
players.
“You don’t have to buy a ticket to come
watch the show. All you have to do is take
your shoes off, come down in the sand and
have a seat,” Owen said. “Everybody down
there is smiling.” CW
SCHEDULE
THURSDAY,
AUG. 9
9 a.m. Youth
Players Meeting &
National Anthem at
Center Court
10 a.m. Youth Dou-
bles Pool Play begin
COLIN MURPHEY PHOTO
A participant in the 2017 Seaside Beach Volleyball tournament gets a face full of sand as he dives for a ball.
‘YOU DON’T HAVE TO BUY A TICKET TO
COME WATCH THE SHOW. ALL YOU HAVE
TO DO IS TAKE YOUR SHOES OFF, COME
DOWN IN THE SAND, AND HAVE A SEAT.
EVERYBODY DOWN THERE IS SMILING.’
JEFF TER HAR PHOTO
The Seaside Chamber of Commerce’s beach vol-
leyball event draws hundreds of players across
the country.
Matt Lebourdais, right, tries to stuff a kill attempt
in the Men’s Open Championship at a past Sea-
side Beach Volleyball tournament.
FRIDAY, AUG. 10
8 a.m. Adult Players
Meeting & National
Anthem at Center
Court
9 a.m. Adult
Doubles (times
may vary)
9 a.m. Youth Dou-
bles Brackets begin
9 a.m. Parent/Child
and Coach/Player
Doubles Pool Play
begin
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Quads/Sixes
Registration
SATURDAY,
AUG. 11
Adult Doubles
Bracket finish
(times may vary)
9 a.m. Junior
Quads Pool Play
starts (times may
vary)
9 a.m. Parent/Child
and Coach/Player
Doubles Bracket
begin
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Quads/Sixes
Registration
Quads/Sixes
Registration
ends at 2 p.m.
SUNDAY, AUG. 12
Junior Quads
finishes
9 a.m. Adult
Quads/Sixes begin