What’s going on? This is Marty “Kodiak” Salokas from Hermosa Beach, California with a shout out to the beach tennis crowd. We’re just got back from the first event of the year in Tampa Bay , back from a San Diego challenge match two days ago and played again today in Hermosa Beach...Beach Tennis baby, the itch you can’t scratch.
The Tampa Bay open was a great event to kick-off the year. We decided last minute to make the trip from Los Angeles on Thursday night, two days before the tournament begins. We got in Friday morning after sleeping on the plane, which everyone knows is the best night sleep ever; got into a cab and went to Clearwater Beach. We found our hotel with an ocean view, had a nap, and headed out to practice. After my glorious sleep the night before, my body wasn’t ready to practice and I pulled my back muscle, bad. I fell down into the sand and started tightening up. I knew this was going to be a long night to be ready for the morning. Long story short, some Advil, heating pads, and your partner’s elbows digging into your back to release the tightness does the trick. We had a great Saturday, played three good teams including Coach Rhino and another one of our Hermosa boys, Lincoln and his 16 year old ringer, Drew. The weather was epic, hot and sunny with no humidity, which for the Cali people is ideal…we hate humidity. Aside from a little wind that picked up late in the day, conditions were optimal for beach tennis. We made it through to Sunday which was a relief and again, played three solid teams. The big match of the day was us versus the Rhino boys, Mike and Brett. The winds were up for this one, ‘bout 15-20 mph with some gusts slightly higher. The match was a crafty one, each of us using the wind creatively to their advantage. The match was tight, the whole time with 13 breaks of serve which at this level is tough. I know Brett is gunning for me after the overhead he caught for me with his face, and maybe Simeon too for the couple he got, but bring it, that is the sweet part of our sport. We got to 6-6, we won six straight points and eventually closed them out 8-6 to win our first BTUSA title. We went out and celebrated with everybody till late in the night -or early morning- left for the airport an hour later, and got home just in time for work.Upon return from our trip to any tournament, we always take a couple days rest after the beating the body takes with the travel, playing and sleep deprivation, but hey, that’s part of sports. Next on the list was a social/competitive match with some of our friends down in San Diego including the Maloney sisters who owned the circuit last year going undefeated and winning the national championship. Not so sure about this year though, we have got some tough teams that have been working hard in the off season. Maloney’s vs. Kristen/Lucy in the national title this year! We brought about twelve players down to play and they had about the same. We played for about five hours, hit the Jacuzzi, ate some BBQ and had a party with all the players. It was a great time and I’m sure the start of many more.
Now that we are home for a couple weeks, we can get back into our rigorous schedule. We’re talking early morning running in the sand, sets and sets of stairs, hours in the gym, and the toughest of all…sitting on the beach, relaxing and playing the game we love. We play this game for the love of the sport and our love to fight and win. My partner, Donny Young, has really helped me grow as a player and has become one of my good buddies. We want to win the National Title this year and we will be happy with nothing less. Yes, we know that means that we have to beat the Italian duo of Matteo and Alex from Ravenna, Italy but we fear no team and mark my words: The Italians will go down this year by our hands! We have some great teams in America, but in order to beat a team that has been playing for over 20 years, it will take something spectacular. We are coming for you stronzos!
Our group consists currently of over 220 people playing beach tennis currently and throughout the year on our local beaches. If anybody in the Los Angeles area is interested in getting in shape and learning this game, come out and try it. You can visit our website at www.westcoastbeachtennis.net. We have a great team of Pros down here ready and excited to kick off this year with local events, leagues, lessons and tournaments. Check the site for more info or email me at westcoastkodiak@gmail.com.
