I grew up playing volleyball at the beach, but didn't start playing a lot until I graduated from college and moved back to L.A. Working at the Pacific Stock Exchange in the 1990's, I had afternoons off 7 days a week, and usually played v-ball on 4 of them, including Sat & Sun. 

 

I played with and against some of the best to ever play the game, including Andy Fishburn, Kent Steffes, Dane Selznik, and Tim Hovland. I once played with Misty May in 1999 against Fish and his 12 yr old daughter (eventual Stanford v-ball scholarship). Misty was fresh off an All-American college career and just about to embark on her legendary pro and Olympic career (3 golds). It was like playing with a guy...very quick, smooth athlete. Alas, we lost 17-15....I flubbed game point. 

 

This site (called Beach Volleyball Database) covers beach v-ball head to toe...the first time I visited, I saw the Happy Birthday list, and an old friend was on top as the oldest beach v-baller with a birthday that day - Todd Schaefer (49 yrs old, 4 yrs older than me). Schaefer hit with legendary power at 6'2" in the days before giants from the indoor game started to invade the beach. Nickname with the women was God Bod Todd as he was blonde, tan, good-looking and of course, very athletic.  

 

P.S. It was playing beach volleyball when I was 24 that I acquired the nickname 'Speedburner' as I was known for speedy scrambles on defense.