Kiraly Prepares for First Leg of
U.S. Open Promo Tour
(updated May 8, 2007) - Back in March, at a luncheon at the famous Duke’s Restaurant next to the Huntington Beach pier, Karch Kiraly said it’s high time all adult beach volleyball players have the opportunity to compete on a national stage, not just the kids.
In his last pro season, Karch is ready to support the rights of adult players to compete in the U.S. Open of Beach Volleyball this September.With that announcement, the U.S. Open of Beach Volleyball was born. Scheduled for Sept. 21 through 23 at Huntington, the event will showcase grass roots beach ball in several different formats for both men and women, and at different age levels.
"It should be some really fun stuff," Karch said.
With organizers telling us the logistics of creating up to 40 regional qualifiers is still in the works, presenting sponsor Corona Extra and Kiraly are gearing up for a promotional media tour to begin during the AVP Glendale Open on May 11. There will be 10 such events throughout the summer with corresponding adult beach clinics, and they will typically be held the day before the AVP tournament or during the qualifier. Then, because everyone needs a good blowout after the sun goes down, there is a party element in each city sponsored by Corona.
Tip Nunn, the tour spokesman, said the fee to attend the clinics and afterparty is $20 per person. Following the May 11 Glendale event, there were clinics scheduled for Hermosa Beach, Tampa, Atlanta, Chicago, Manhattan Beach, New York, Cincinnati, Las Vegas, and San Francisco.
“We’re still throwing together the details. We’re trying to coordinate with a very hectic schedule I have this year and the many regional qualifiers for the U.S. Open,” Karch added.
As if he doesn’t already have enough on his plate — he, of course, is retiring from the pro tour after this season and is at the same time starting his Karch Kiraly Volleyball Academy, running youth clinics and serving as color commentator at each AVP stop — Karch will be setting up tent with media, fans and fellow players in the 10 different AVP cities this summer to promote the concept. He already announced he will only be competing in 11 of the 18 AVP tournaments this year, skipping a couple of the hard-sand events, one of them being Glendale. Plus, he’ll be making the rounds in support of all his projects.
The idea for the U.S. Open one is pretty simple: spread the word, promote the sport and invite everyone out for good time. Since 1928, USA Volleyball has been running its adult nationals under the flag of the U.S. Open Championships. And the youth have a similar event each summer. But there’s never been anything like it on the beach. Karch says it’s the perfect time to give adult beach players a chance to play with and against friends and basically have a blast while chasing the opportunities of earning free travel to Southern California for a chance to win some cash.
“It’s a reunion of sorts, too,” he added. “I see this becoming a real fun week every August or September.”
USA Volleyball has said players interested in participating should contact their local USAV regional volleyball associations throughout its four national zones. The breakdown is available on the USAV Web site.
For the latest information, check back with bvmag, visit the official U.S. Open of Beach Volleyball Web site or USAVolleyball.org.
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