History of Beach Volleyball

Early 1920s

Most accounts place the sport's origin in Santa Monica, California,

where the first Volleyball courts were put up on the beach

at the Playground (Santa Monica).

Families played 6 vs. 6.

1927

Beach volleyball became the
                                    principal sport in a French nudist camp

founded
                                    in Franconville (north-western suburb of Paris).

1930

First two-man beach volleyball
                                    game was played in 

Santa Monica, California.

Beach volleyball appeared in Palavas, Lacanau and Royan (France),

around Sofia (Bulgaria), Prague (Czechoslavakia), and Riga (Latvia).

In the US, people would escape
                                    the depression by going to the beach,

4
                                    vs 4 and 3 vs 3 games were played.

1947

First official two-man beach tournament was held,

at State Beach in California.  It was organized by

Holtzman and won by Saenez-Harris.

1948

First tournament held in California (Los Angeles),

awarded the best teams with a case of Pepsi as the

winners' prize.

1950's

Open tournaments held at five beaches in California.

              
                                       Santa Barbara

              
                                       State

              
                                       Corona Del Mar

              
                                       Laguna 

              
                                       San Diego

Beach volleyball became an
                                    entertainment show and 

Beauty
                                    Contests were included in the official program.

First Brazil tournament took
                                    place, sponsored by a 

Newspaper
                                    Publishing company.

1957

Bernie Holtzman and Gene Selznick won an event that 

featured Greta Tyson, star of "Pajama Tops",

as Queen of the Beach.  Beach volleyball became 

more than a sport, it turned into a real show.

1960's

Open tournaments held at eight
                                    beaches in California.

           Tahoe (added in late 60's)

          
                                    Santa Cruz

                  Santa Barbara

           State

              
                                       Manhattan   1st
                                    Manhattan Beach Open - 1960

                  Corona Del Mar

              
                                       Laguna

              
                                       San Diego

In France, the winners of
                                    3 vs 3 games earned about 30,000 Francs

in
                                    tournaments taking place in La Baule and in les Sables d' Olonne.

The first Manhattan Beach
                                    Open took place.

1965

CBVA - California Beach Volleyball Association is founded.

       Tournament organisers met to coordinate
                                    the schedules and define

        the rules of the game.

 1974

First commercially sponsored tournament took place in San Diego.

              
                                     $1,500 San Diego Open, sponsored by Winston Cigarettes.

              
                                     Won by Dennis Hare and Fred Zuelich

                250
                                    spectators

1976

Olympia Championship of Beach
                                    Volleyball 

                $5,000 first prize

                Won
                                    by Menges/Lee

                30,000 spectators

Events Concepts founded, to promote and expand beach tour.

Ron Von Hagen retires with
                                    record 62 Open Wins.

1978

Jose Cuervo Tequila enters as sport's first major sponsor.

1979

Prize money for the major
                                    USA event doubled to $10,000.

King
                                    of the Beach tournament held in Manhattan Beach 

offered $11,000 prize money.

1980

Cash prizes for 7 tournaments.

$52,000 prize total (Jose Cuervo sponsor).

              
                                     San Diego, Santa Barbara, Laguna ($5,000)

              
                                     Manhattan ($10,000)

                King
                                    of Beach ($12,000)

         World Championships ($15,000)