Beach volleyball: Da Dunes Pro-Am kicks off Saturday

Richard Dunn

UPPER NEWPORT BAY - In what is expected to be the largest event of

its kind in Orange County history, the inaugural Da Dunes Pro-Am Beach

Volleyball Tournament will feature some of the biggest names in the sport

this weekend at the Newport Dunes waterfront resort.

The event, created by 12-year pro beach volleyball professional Brian

Lewis, a former Corona del Mar High and Orange Coast College standout,

starts Saturday at 8:30 a.m. with pool play for 30 four-man teams and 10

four-woman squads.

Some teams will be outfitted in themes, with awards given to the

funniest and most festive costumes, as well as a plaque for the best

heckler in the audience.

“It’s more geared around fun, which is something I think has been lost

in our sport,” Lewis said.

Aside from a few laughs, top players like Steve Timmons, Mike Dodd,

Randy Stoklos and Tim Hovland are competing, while former Newport Harbor

and Long Beach State All-American Misty May heads the women’s field.

“The ‘Who’s Who of Volleyball’ is going to be down here,” Lewis said.

“It’s a first for Orange County to have an event like this, with 40

four-person teams, as well as entertainment, all inclusive at the same

site. I don’t think it’s ever been done before.”

Lewis, who said teams will be seeded after pool play, believes sand

volleyball can sell in Newport Beach, particularly at the Newport Dunes,

a large RV park known for its signature ceramic whale and opening its

doors to a sporting event for the first time. (Irrelevant Week once

hosted a tongue-in-cheek Superstars contest at the Dunes.)

“I think it’s great. We need a pro beach volleyball tournament in

Newport Beach,” one local promoter said.

Admission is $7 at the gate and tournament wristbands good for the

entire weekend. There are no pre-sale tickets.

The Newport Dunes has constructed three sand volleyball courts for

this weekend with hopes of landing additional beach volleyball

tournaments and exhibitions.

Lewis, founder of Da Dunes Pro-Am Tournament and longtime member of

the Association of Volleyball Professionals Tour, said the women’s final

Sunday is expected to start at 3 p.m., with the men’s final at 5 p.m.

In addition, tournament guests can purchase courtside lunch, snacks,

draft beer and margaritas. Festivities include music by DJ and a live

performance tonight by the reggae band Common Sense.

“Brian Lewis has gathered together a stellar lineup of top players who

will, no doubt, provide visitors with a weekend of fast-paced

competition,” Newport Dunes General Manager Andrew Theodorou said. “The

blending of athletic excellence, live music, great food and festive

atmosphere are sure to add up to a weekend of pure, unadulterated fun.”

Lewis, along with many of his playing peers, has mostly shunned the

AVP Tour this year because of payout and management problems. But the

12-year pro, who won over $900,000 in his career, is ready to launch his

own enterprise.

Lewis, a two-time State Community College Player of the Year at Orange

Coast College, where he led the Pirates to state championships in 1987

and ‘89, reached the AVP Tour’s No. 3 spot last year with partner Canyon

Ceman of Manhattan Beach.

Along with international titles, Lewis has won 15 pro tournament

championships in his career.