Recreation / San Diego : Beaches: They’re <i> the</i> Place for Two-Person Volleyball
Eight white posts jut out of the sand where Cohasset Street runs out of pavement in South Mission Beach. To the casual observer, they may appear no more useful than a resting spot for a wandering sea gull.
But with a net, some nylon rope to mark boundaries and a ball, Cohasset Street can be transformed into the place to play two-person beach volleyball.
On any given day, you might find yourself staring across the net at some of the best beach volleyball players in the world.
The Cohasset Street courts are home to Olympic team members such as Karch Kiraly, regarded by many as the best player in the world, or top pros such as Mike Dodd. Cohasset Street is where these guys go when there is time--and a volleyball--to kill.
David Whittaker runs the Mission Beach courts. They are regarded as “Whittaker’s courts” because the City of San Diego, like most of the coastal communities, does not provide beach volleyball courts and/or equipment. Thus, nearly all of the communities seem to have an individual such as Whittaker who is responsible for obtaining a permit, buying and erecting the posts and even supplying nets.
Whittaker doesn’t do it for money. He does it just because he loves the sport.
George Stepanof is the guardian of a trophy upon which is engraved the names of all of the San Diego Open two-man beach volleyball champions. There are many names on that trophy, because the tournament has been played since 1949.
To Stepanof and almost anyone who has been involved in local beach volleyball for any length of time, the trophy represents the roots of the sport.
“We have the proof we’ve been running two-man tourneys since 1949,” Stepanof said. “Los Angeles may have had a couple tourneys before that, but we have, what I think is, the oldest recorded tourney in Southern California.”
Stepanof has been a fireman for 28 years and next month will turn 50. He has been playing volleyball since 1952 and became a AAA player (the highest amateur rating) at 37. He runs the seven Ocean Beach courts at the foot of Brighton Street near Voltaire.
He also is the Southern California Beach Volleyball Assn. director for San Diego. The SCBVA runs two-man tournaments in cities from Santa Cruz to San Diego for novices to AAAA players (players who compete in money tournaments, such as Singin Smith).
Unlike most of the other beach volleyball organizers, Stepanof supports his courts with proceeds from the many tournaments he runs.
In 1970, the Ocean Beach City Council approached Stepanof about running a big tournament as a city promotion.
“I went out and bought poles, nets and balls,” said Stepanof. “But when I presented the council with the bill they said, ‘Oh well, ah gee, I don’t know whether we can cover that.’ I went ahead and did the tournament and just kept running them.”
Stepanof trusts players with the equipment he provides. Sometimes, that trust is betrayed.
“Over the years I’ve lost some equipment,” said Stepanof, shrugging. “I finally got the word across to the people that I wouldn’t be losing any equipment. It must have worked because I haven’t lost much the last two years.”
Stepanof keeps a couple nets, boundary line cords and some balls at a house near the courts. Regulars can go check them out. Everyone else can either bring their own net and ball or can sign up for their shot on the courts.
Some time ago, a La Jolla lawyer started a tournament for some Navy flying buddies who would come in from all around the country for this annual event. One year, Mike Brown saw the group on the beach and watched until he was finally asked if he wanted to play.
That was 15 years ago. Now Brown, a stock broker, can be found nearly every weekend on “his” La Jolla Cove courts. He is not the first to be in charge of them, because they have been active every weekend since the early 1950s.
“We now have 50 to 75 regulars who show up on weekends,” Brown said. “They range in age from 15 to 60. Beach volleyball is a subculture. There doesn’t seem to be any cast and volleyball players seem to come from all over. They’re people from all different sections of life. Then they become a part of it.”
Volleyball has become a part of the lives of some big-name pro basketball players, too. Wilt Chamberlain was probably the biggest name. He is regarded as an AA player--good, but not up with the best.
Other pro basketball stars who spent a lot of time playing beach volleyball include Paul Westphal and a former Helix High School star named Bill Walton.
But on the beaches, a reputation built on the hardwood is about as meaningful as a grain of sand. Walton used to play in tournaments at Ocean Beach.
“He was pretty good,” said Stepanof. “But when I ran a tournament, I would always match my son against him so (my son) would get at least one win.”
Although Stepanof and Brown describe a fairly competitive brand of beach volleyball, both make it clear that everyone is welcome to play. They do not want to create the impression that elitist cliques control these courts and the sport of beach volleyball.
“Usually on a good weekend, all the courts will be taken,” said Stepanof. “So there’s a variety of volleyball being played out there. It’s ‘welcome’ for anyone who wants to come out.”
“We play pretty serious volleyball,” said Brown. “But (other) people can come use the nets and just enjoy themselves. They probably have more fun than we do.”
Stepanof has some advice for prospective players:
“What they ought to do is go to places where they play it, talk to some of the people and just start playing. They shouldn’t be shy about coming out. Nobody started out here good.”
WHERE TO PLAY
Here are some of the more popular San Diego County spots for beach volleyball:
Oceanside: Courts have been built within the past year. Located off Mission Avenue, north of the Municipal Pier near the Chart House Restaurant.
Del Mar: There are several courts at Moonlight Beach, but competition for the court space has led to the construction of four courts at the Del Mar River mouth.
La Jolla: There are several courts at La Jolla Cove, from the south end to the pier.
Ocean Beach: Seven courts are maintained at the foot of Brighton Avenue north to Voltaire Street.
Mission Beach: The hottest spot is at the end of Cohasset Street, but there are plenty of courts at the south end of the beach near the boat ramp and a few in the park along Mission Bay.
Coronado: Two courts have been established recently.
How to get in a game:
If you want to play, don’t wait for someone to ask. There usually is a sign-up sheet on one of the posts. Just sign in and wait your turn. If you have a group, you can take a chance that there is an unused court with a net or you can bring your own.
Equipment:
To play in an existing game, all you need is a bathing suit or shorts and some suntan lotion. However, if you want to start your own game, you need a volleyball, which can cost up to $50, and a net, which can cost from $60 to $150.
Learning to play:
If you are hesitant to just learn by playing in game, take a class. Most of the county’s community colleges have volleyball classes and several even have sand courts--as does San Diego State. For those with an aversion to the outdoors, indoor six-on-six volleyball is played at spots such as Municipal Gym in Balboa Park.