Olympic Beach Volleyball Gold & Silver Medalists Kerri Walsh, Jen Kessy & April Ross Join Top Beach Stars In Santa Barbara, CA This Weekend Sept. 7-9 For New AVP Championships

WHO:       

America's top beach volleyball stars including London Olympic Gold Medalist Kerri Walsh and new partner Nicole Branagh; Silver Medalists April Ross and Jen Kessy; 2008 Gold Medalists Todd Rogers and Phil Dalhausser; London Olympians Sean Rosenthal and Jake Gibb; 2012 AVP Cincinnati Open Champions John Hyden and Sean Scott.

WHAT:     

The new AVP Championships, featuring the top 12 men's and women's pro beach volleyball teams competing for a 2012 U.S. record prize of $225,000. Live streaming of the event is available all three days by logging on to www.AVPChampionships.com. Great food, beverages and sponsor areas area available to fans, as is a beer garden fans age 21+.

General admission is free to the public. Reserved courtside seating is available for $35, featuring a reserved ticket that includes a take-home AVP beach chair that fans can set up in exclusive access areas on the stadium sidelines.  Elevated, shaded private box lounge seating is also available for $50, including two free beverages each day. Advance tickets can be ordered online at www.avpchampionships.com

WHEN:     

This weekend, Sept. 7-9, 2012   Friday, Sept. 7 from 9 am - 6:30 pm (Rounds 1 & 2 of Pool Play); Saturday, Sept. 8 from 9 am – 6:30 pm (Round 3 and Semi-finals); Sunday, Sept. 9 Women's final: 10 am; Men's Final 11:30 am

WHERE:      

Santa Barbara, California at West Beach.

MEDIA NOTES:     

Media should request credentials in advance by emailing John Eckel at john@rockandsockem.com, or calling 646.438.1186. Check-in on-site and receive credentials at the AVP Media Tent. Advance or on-site interviews with new AVP owner Donald Sun or players. Live TV shots and photo opps. can be arranged from West Beach stadium locations as well.

In addition, a private AVP private VIP Celebrity and Players Celebration will be held Saturday, Sept. 8 from 8-11 pm at Villa Sevillano Estate. Media is invited to cover the event and red carpet arrivals – but the event is not open to the public. Valet parking only.  Celebrity details are forthcoming in a separate media alert.