The birthplace of beach volleyball hosts the annual AVP Hermosa Beach Open on August 6-9, 2009! 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 celbrities is Kerri Walsh, who won the gold medal in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. It has been recently announced that Kerri will make her return to the 2009 tour at the Hermosa Beach Open, after taking some time off for the birth of a child. Phil Dalhausser and Todd Rogers won the 2008 Open and are always favorites, but locals Sean

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 Beach 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!