Following tournaments in San Diego, San Francisco and Seattle, May 7 was the final stop of the official Spikeball USA Roundnet West Tour, and it was held right next to the Santa Monica Pier.
What is spikeball? The game is played by teams of two, who gather around a circular net. Players can hit the ball up to three times – just like in volleyball – before they have to bounce it off of the net to the other team. When one team successfully bounces the ball such that it hits the ground before the other team can get it, that team gets a point. The first to 21 wins.
It sounds a little complicated, but after spending a couple minutes watching the game in action, it becomes clear that, not only are the rules of the game simple and straightforward, but that despite its simplicity, good play requires a high degree of athleticism, just like any other sport.
What makes spikeball unique is that, since it’s relatively new and unknown, its players are all the more passionate about it.
Skyler Boles is one half of the Chico Spikes, who are officially the number one ranked spikeball team in the world. He discovered spikeball while he was at a tennis tournament, and bought his first set without ever having played the game.
“It was the best decision I ever made,” Boles said.
He describes the community that rallies around spikeball as, above all else, good-natured. Many of the teams’ names reflected the fun they were having. Two teams were present at Saturday’s tournament were Flying Pajama Fists and Spikeball and Chill.
“I could stay at any of these people’s houses,” Boles said. “We all have spikeball in common.”
Immediately after saying this, a fellow player approached Boles to confirm that he was, in fact, staying at Boles’ house that night. It was true – though over 400 players were present, they all had their niche passion in common, and that made them sort of like family.
