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For Immediate Release: May 19, 2006
AVP Cuervo Gold Crown Huntington Beach Open Scheduled May 26-28
AVP Crocs Beach Volleyball Tour Returns to Surf City USA® Paradise
HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. The stars of professional volleyball will converge on Huntington Beach May 26 - 28 for the AVP Cuervo Gold Crown Huntington Beach Open. This year's featured athletes include Olympic Gold Medalists Misty May and Kerri Walsh; and Olympic Bronze Medalists Holly McPeak and Elaine Youngs. Three-time Olympic Gold Medalist Karch Kiraly is also expected along with Olympian Stein Metzger, 2004 AVP MVP Mike Lambert and 2000 Olympic Gold Medalists Dain Blanton and Eric Fonoimoana.
"We're proud to welcome back the AVP Huntington Beach Open. This event draws thousands of families and sports-spectators to our beaches and offers everyone a few days of good clean fun," said Huntington Beach Mayor Dave Sullivan. "Beach volleyball has grown to be a top level competitive sport that is an excellent reflection of the Surf City USA® lifestyle."
Huntington Beach has a long history with pro beach volleyball dating back to 1975 when the first Men's Huntington Beach Open took place. The Women's first Huntington Beach Open took place in 1989. Since then, the city has been a regular stop on the AVP pro series tour.
Held just south of the Huntington Beach Pier, near Pacific Coast Highway and Main Street, the AVP event will include qualifying play along with a special Youth Clinic on Friday, May 26 from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The main pro volleyball tournament is scheduled for Saturday, May 27 from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and on Sunday, May 28 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tickets prices range from free to $35 each and can be purchased at www.avp.com.
During the AVP Cuervo Gold Crown Huntington Beach Open, fans will have the opportunity to experience world-class beach volleyball in an authentic Surf City USA atmosphere. Every tournament represents a fiercely pitched competitive battle amongst 150 of the fittest athletes.
When spectators want to take a break from the beach volleyball competition, they can visit the numerous sponsor and game booths including the Crocs AVP Serve, Pass, Hit Interactive Area; Jose Cuervo Cabana; Xbox Gaming Oasis; Herbalife Sampling Booth; Paul Mitchell Cut-a-thon; Nature Valley Granola Bars Sampling Booth; Wilson SpeedZone; Liftoff Sampling Booth; iJoy Interactive Display Area; Barefoot Cellars Display and Nautica Product Test.
Visitors can also enjoy Huntington Beach's vibrant shopping areas and Surf City USA restaurants. In addition, this year's event will be held within walking distance of several overnight lodgings which range from motels to four-diamond resorts including the Hilton Waterfront Beach Resort and the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort & Spa Resort, all within four miles of the beach.
The Huntington Beach Conference and Visitors Bureau is the official destination marketing organization representing Huntington Beach, California. As one of the top Southern California vacation destinations featuring premier California beach resorts, Huntington Beach is the ideal location for a California family vacation, California weekend getaway or surfing trip. With eight and half miles of pristine California beaches, it is fast becoming a destination of choice for vacationers and business travelers alike. To plan your Surf City USA vacation or learn more about Huntington Beach, visit the Bureau Web site at www.surfcityusa.com or call 800-729-6232 for a free dining or visitors guide.
High resolution photographs available upon request.
Surf City USA® is a registered trademark of the Huntington Beach Conference and Visitors Bureau. All rights reserved.