Professional beach volleyball competitions heat up with tournaments scheduled at 12 of the hottest beaches in the U.S. from April through September. The 2010 AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour, presented as the “2010 AVP Nivea Tour", promises intense two-person beach volleyball competition throughout the United States.

Hermosa Beach has been home to the AVP since 1984 and is one the biggest and most anticipated events of the year.

The South Bay is famous for its beach volleyball roots and history, and many of the sports' stars live and train here year-round. One of Hermosa's most popular local celebrities is Kerri Walsh, who won the gold medal in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Phil Dalhausser and Todd Rogers won the 2009 Open and are always favorites, but locals Sean Rosenthal and Jake Gibb will play at their peak representing their home beach.

The tournament is always one of the most popular weekends in the South Bay, and Hermosa and Manhattan Beaches swells with people from Thursday all the way to Sunday. Parking is nearly impossible and the bars are packed along the Strand and Pier by noon, especially Poop Deck, the Mermaid and Hennesey's. Plan accordingly and consider parking and cabbing it from nearby Redondo Beach or Manhattan Beach. The Hermosa Beach Open costs $15 this year on Saturday and Sunday or $5 on Friday for general admission. It will definitely fill up early on Sunday for the mens' and womens' Final matches.

For the hardcore fans out there, the AVP is still looking for volleyball volunteers to be ball-shaggers, scorekeepers ticket takers and more. There have been some great matches in the past, and the Open is a must even if you're a fair-weather fan of beach volleyball. The sport is to South Bay locals what hockey is to Canadians, and to win the Hermosa Beach Open is a huge deal for these guys and girls. Stay tuned to S.B.E. for the Hermosa Beach events surrounding the Open, including after-parties and VIP activities! Head to the AVP site to purchase TICKETS