Thousands of players, fans and partiers converged for the 21 annual Smackfest beach volleyball tournament in Hermosa Beach where costumes and socializing was more important than winning and losing.
Smackfest, the largest Co-ed 4’s beach volleyball tournament in the United States, featured a “Fun” division with 36 pools of costume-themed teams. Coming out on top was Pandas in the Mist team that included some pros/NCAA standouts like Danny Newman, Erik Gomez, Clay Paulin as well as Dylan Maarek and April Bernardi.
Winning the inaugural Dave Williams Memorial Pro Division were the locals from 16th St., including reigning champs Kevin and Shelly Norman, Paul Baxter along with Barney and Jake Rosener.
Legends like Holly McPeak, Sinjin Smith, and Tim Hovland were in attendance.
“This event reminds me of when I played back in the 80’s … how volleyball was synonymous with the So Cal lifestyle,” Smith said.
Smackfest was sponsored by Bud Light, Smack Sportswear, Barefoot Wine, UPTime Energy drink, E&B Natural Resources, Kind Snacks, Deep Eddy Vodka, Baja Sharkeez and Dick’s Sporting Goods.