How We Started

Welcome to our community!  I'm Charlotte, owner/founder of Santa Monica Beach Volleyball.  

I've been playing beach volleyball since I moved to LA in 2011, and I can't tell you how many times friends have said:  "That's so cool!  How would I get started playing beach volleyball?"  And for years, my answer for was: "I have no idea. It's a cliquey sport, and is hard to organize because you need a bunch of people at the same skill level, and there aren't many organized adult classes around."  Also, my friends who play would often say, "I wish I could take some lessons to get better and meet some new people to play with, but I can't find any classes for grownups, only for kids." 

No one, it turned out, was running organized beach volleyball classes for adults in Santa Monica. Lightbulb moment!

So, in September 2019, I quit my job as a lawyer. This took a lot of guts, as having graduated with honors from Harvard Law School, I had a certain vision for what my life would be, and the kind of job I would have. But once the idea for this business took hold, I just knew I had to chase it.

I spent 4 months planning the business: permitting, insurance, logo, website design, social media, mailing list systems, payment and scheduling system, hiring/payroll, etc., and we opened 1/7/20.  

Then.... COVID hit.  We closed 3/8/20. To take such a huge risk and then have to close immediately was devastating. And I waited until the vaccine was available to the general populace to reopen, so as to maximize the safety of our customers and staff. But this meant waiting a full 14 months, until June 2021.

But it was worth the wait! From the moment we reopened, we have sold out classes left and right, garnered 5-star Yelp reviews, and organically formed a strong, vibrant, and diverse community. 

Our customers play together outside of class all the time, become friends off the volleyball court, and we've even had some romances develop! 

I am so grateful to have the opportunity to start this business - providing a space for folks to get off their phones and participate in a fun activity that's healthy and outdoors has proven to be both a profitable business enterprise, a true community service. 

Come and join us for a class! 

Questions? First peruse the website, as there's a wealth of information on here! If you can't find what you're looking for, shoot us an email at info@santamonicabeachvolleyball.com and we will get back to you promptly.