A Volleyball Tradition Gets Spiked

Professional beach volleyball is pulling the venerable Manhattan Open, the sport’s Wimbledon, from the Southern California beach where it all started decades ago.

The decision late Thursday by the Assn. of Volleyball Professionals came hours after Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Robert O’Brien ordered a halt to promotions and ticket sales for the June 12-15 beach games.

“We are outraged at this ruling, which is based on a technicality that has nothing to do with the AVP and has had the effect of removing a Southern California tradition from its rightful home on the beach,” said association chief Jerry Soloman.

O’Brien granted a temporary restraining order against the association, the city and Los Angeles County on behalf of South Bay Coastal Defense Alliance, a grass-roots group that says the Manhattan Open blocks beach access.

The Manhattan Open, which attracts 6,000 spectators a day, also leads to massive traffic jams and noise, group founder Donley Falkenstien said.

The alliance sought the restraining order because the event violates the California Environmental Quality Act and Assembly Bill 909, legislation prohibiting new or expanded commercial beach development, he said.

Attorneys for the volleyball association, city and county fought the order.

“There was quite a bit of review for this type of event” to satisfy Environmental Quality Act requirements, Manhattan Beach City Atty. Bob Wadden said.

The ruling was the second blow this month for the beleaguered tournament.

The California Coastal Commission, after hearing from several angry beach residents, last week nixed the association’s plan to charge admission, which it was planning to do for the first time.

“We are going to be announcing another venue next week,” said Lon Monk, the association’s chief operating officer. “But we are not leaving Manhattan Beach forever.”

Monk said the volleyball association will fight to return to its usual sandy spot near Manhattan Beach pier in 1998.

Since starting 38 years ago as an amateur event, the Manhattan Open has grown to attract professional athletes in the last decade--grown so much it has become known as the Wimbledon of beach volleyball.