Manhattan Open Beach Volleyball 2010 Scene at the Pier & Photos
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A look at the new/old Manhattan Open in 2010 after the AVP folded.
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The "Old/New' Manhattan Open
Here is what the Manhattan Open, 2010 version, looks like on the beach on Friday. Normally, the AVP is set up with tents and grandstands and players are playing. There are continual short blasts of whistles – like a referee calling a foul at an NBA game – and fans are sitting on beach towels and in beach chairs at the edge of the courts.
This year, however, the courts are occupied by everyday players playing everyday pickup games, there's just a few tents for Bud Light and Monster along the wall by the Strand. An official's tent sits at the pier, John Elway Toyota has a few vehicles on display in the small parking lot and the downtown area lacks the usual Manhattan Open buzz.
In fact, the only happening place is Simmzy's and that's likely because it's the only place with anything resembling a patio (small as it may be).
It's not by design or some nostalgic ideology, tho, it's because the professional tour, the Association of Volleyball Professionals (AVP). folded just a week prior to this event. The city of Manhattan Beach owns the tournament and, together with the California Beach Volleyball Assn., made sure it the show went on in 2010. The plaques of all the past winners are still in place on the pier. And, regardless of the world rankings of this year's winners they, too, will have their names added to the pier. |
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The 50th anniversary of the Manhattan Open – the Wimbledon of Beach Volleyball, the one that started it all – is a throwback to the old days with players sweating it out steps from a knowledgeable crowd, all the way through Sunday's finals.