The California Beach Volleyball Association, commonly known by the acronym CBVA, was the first governing body for beach volleyball. Since its founding in 1962, CBVA has coordinated local beach volleyball tournaments for players of all skill levels. In 2017, CBVA hosted nearly 1,000 tournaments at 23 beaches in 11 skill or age divisions. There are approximately 8,000 members from California and beyond.
History CBVA tournament organizers met in 1962 to coordinate tournament schedules and establish the rules of the game. The goal of the CBVA was to unite the local beach volleyball communities and to coordinate local tournament schedules.
Ratings Players are categorized into distinct tiers based on their competitive skill level and tournament performance. From lowest to highest, ratings are Unrated, B, A, AA, and AAA . Players acquire these ratings by achieving high finishes—typically first, second, or third place, depending on the total number of participating teams—in sanctioned CBVA events. Once earned, a letter rating remains active for the remainder of the calendar year and the entirety of the following season. If a player fails to re-earn their rating within this timeframe, it degrades by one tier each subsequent January 1st until the player returns to Unrated status. Players may compete in any division at or above their current classification, but are prohibited from entering divisions below it.
Hall of Fame The CBVA Beach Volleyball Hall of Fame is a collaboration between CBVA and the Hermosa Beach Historical Society. To be eligible for the Hall of Fame, individuals must either be a top ranked volleyball player who has maintained a high degree of excellence and superior play over a significant period of time and demonstrated significant CBVA participation or someone who has devoted a major part of their life to the sport of beach volleyball and made positive and meaningful contributions. For players, five years must have passed since playing at their highest competitive level (for players). The Hall of Fame Committee develop a list of player nominees and selects at least one male and one female. +CBVA Beach Volleyball Hall of Fame InducteesYearInductees2025Jim Arico, Phil Dalhausser & April Ross2024Dax Holdren, Phil Stutzel & Kerri Walsh2023Nicole Branagh, Jake Gibb, Sam Laganà & Stein Metzger2022Annett Davis, Jon Lee & Sean Rosenthal2021No Inductees2020No Inductees2019Jennifer Kessy, Todd Rogers & Bob Van Wagner2018Jenny Johnson, Mike Lambert & Sean Scott2017Gail Castro, Rose Duncan, Misty May, Team Smith & Stoklos, Paul Sunderland & John Vallely2016Dain Blanton, John Featherstone, Team Hovland & Dodd, Elaine Youngs & Fred Zuelich2015Lisa Arce, Nancy Cohen, Jon Hastings & Ricci Luyties2014Bob Clem, Barbra Fontana & José Loiola2013Jack Adriance, Patty Dodd, Eric Fonoimoana & Buzz Swarts2012Scott Ayakatubby, Adam Johnson & Janice Opalinski2011Art Couvillon, John Hanley, Brian Lewis & Holly McPeak2010Kevin Cleary, Angela Rock & Mike Whitmarsh2009Gary Hooper, Gary Martin, Liz Masakayan & Pat Powers2008Tom Chamales, Wilt Chamberlain, Linda Chisholm, Brent Frohoff & Jackie Silva2007Karch Kiraly2006Dennis Hare, Karolyn Kirby & Nancy Reno2005Steve Obradovich, Manny Saenz & Denny Smith2004Linda Robertson & Kent Steffes2003Andy Fishburn & Dane Selznick2002Sinjin Smith2001Henry Bergman & Johnette Latreille2000Mike Dodd & Tim Hovland1999Robi Hutas, ZoAnn McFarland & Randy Stoklos1998Barbara May, Al Scates & Ernie Suwara1997Kathy Hanley, Greg Lee, Larry Rundle & Charlie Saikley1996Butch May, Mary Jo Peppler, Jon Stevenson & Robert Vogelsang1995Mike Bright, Eileen Clancy & Ron Lang1994Bobby Barber, Matt Gage, Nina Matthies & Jim Menges1993Jean Brunicardi, Keith Erickson, Kirk Kilgour, Chris Marlowe, Miki McFadden & Sharky Zartman1992Mike Cook, Kathy Gregory, Bernie Holtzman, Ed Montan, Mike O'Hara, Gene Popko, Gene Selznick, George Stepanof & Ron Von Hagen
Board of directors CBVA's board of directors is largely made up of former professional beach volleyball players:
Chris Brown: president and tournament director at Hermosa Beach. JP Saikley: tournament director at Manhattan Beach Pier Sinjin Smith: tournament director Long Beach; Dane Selznick: tournament director at Santa Monica North Steve Upp: tournament director at Ocean Beach & Mission Beach in San Diego Therese Butler: tournament director at Huntington Beach Lucas Bol: tournament director at Main Beach, Santa Cruz
References