Seaside Heights

Address:Seaside Heights, New Jersey

See the sand fly, as the nation's top volleyball pros go head to head at the AVP Seaside Heights Open this summer. More than 150 of the top professional beach volleyball athletes, including Kerri Walsh, Misty May-Treanor, Rachel Wacholder, Sean Scott, Stein Metzger, and Karch Kiraly compete in The AVP Seaside Heights Open, one of the 16 annual events held by the Association of Volleyball Professionals Pro Beach Volleyball Tour. Fans will have the opportunity to experience world-class beach volleyball in a beach-party atmosphere.

The AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour, first organized in 1983, features more than 150 of the top American men and women competitors in the sport. AVP holds 16 Tour events throughout the United States. In 2004, AVP's athletes successfully represented the United States during the Olympics in Athens, Greece, winning gold and bronze medals. It was the first such medal won by U.S. women in professional beach volleyball.

In 2006, The AVP decided to move the Belmar Open back to Seaside Heights, marking the return of the Seaside Heights Open for the first time since 1995. The loyal and enthusiastic fan base in Seaside Heights was excited when the AVP decided to bring beach volleyball back, and the return to Seaside Heights turned out to be a great success. Casey Jennings and Matt Fuerbringer won the men's title, and Olympic gold medalists Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh easily won the women's title.

Featuring a real beach, with deep sand, Seaside Heights has a true on-shore (and sometimes off-shore) breeze. In 2007, the AVP decided to set up at the location on the northern end of the beach, as opposed to the southern part of the beach that was used in 2006. It turned out to be a smart move, bringing the action closer to the amusement rides and life of the boardwalk. There was a steady flow of people who might stop by, check it out, and walk away hooked. The boardwalk here is always a source of entertainment. It is jam-packed with vacationers, and a sure place to always see something interesting. From the arcades to the amusement rides to the bars, there is always something to see.

Seaside Heights, "Your Home for Family Fun since 1913," is located by the New Jersey Shore at the intersection of Routes 35 and 37. The easiest way to get here is to take the Garden State Parkway, and take exit 82 to route 37 East all the way to Seaside Heights. The Seaside Heights Open is located on the East Side Boardwalk between Sumner and Blaine Avenues. Another option for arriving here is to take New Jersey Transit Bus 67 from New York Port Authority to Seaside Heights. Note that this bus runs only during the summer months