Laguna Beach Volleyball By the Sea

The sun is shining and the waves are crashing on the sand as Sepideh Long dives for a volleyball. She and her teammates play the game every Saturday morning at Main Beach through The city of Laguna Beach's beach volleyball class.

According to instructor and Laguna Beach resident Kirk Morgan, classes for men and women are offered for beginners through intermediate players from 9-10:30 a.m. on Saturdays, and for intermediate through advanced players from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. The cost is $57 for the six-week class and $76 for the eight-week class. Class size is limited, so all participants get a chance to play.

"People take the class over and over," said Morgan, "because they know they're going to get in about two solid hours of volleyball. They all become friends and have parties together."

Morgan played for the volleyball teams at San Clemente High School and San Diego State University, and he hasn't stopped, he said.

"The class is  supplemented with three tournaments a year. This includes the round-robin 'King of the Beach' tournament and a fun tournament at the winter holiday season." 

The class emphasizes skills. There's a little bit of conditioning, a little bit of yoga and a little bit of pilates training. The class does some core strength training and technique drills, and then the classes play. The advanced class usually just plays.

Laguna Beach resident Amanda DeCarlo has taken the class five times.

"It's fun and you get to meet people," said DeCarlo. "I had never played before socially, but I always wanted to play. When the class came up, I thought it was a good opportunity. Anyone from 16 on up can play. Most of the people in the class are in their 30s and 40s. You learn a lot, and you end up seeing people socially."

Elizabeth Rubel used to play at Huntington Beach. Then she moved to Laguna.

"I wanted to meet some volleyball people here, so I took the class," said Rubel. "I've taken it now about 15 times. I've made a lot of good friends. I love Kirk. He's a great teacher."

"This is my first time here," said Dede Westgaard Pike. "I heard this was a wonderful class. I won this class through the flood relief. I'm a flood victim and Kirk donated this class."

Beach volleyball is Supideh Long's favorite sport.

"The weather is great," said Long, "and the scenery is beautiful. You just can't go wrong. The people are awesome ... very friendly. We also get together outside of class in the evenings or mornings or whenever we can."

Deborah Mathy played indoor volleyball in high school.

"This is my second year in the class," said Mathy. "I found the city website and I signed up and started playing. Now I have all these great friends." 

To find out more about city-sponsored recreation activities, click up the city website here.