Funny California

Early this Saturday morning, thousands of people will gather on Fiesta Island in San Diego for what has become an annual ritual. Spanning two weekends every July, some say it's a sport, other's say it's just a drunken beach party. Either way, after 54 years everyone agrees, it is a part of what makes San Diego unique!

Enjoying OTL and a BeerThe Old Mission Bay Athletic Club (OMBAC) officially began in 1954, but its roots sprouted years before. From friendships of the late 30s, 40s and early 50s, the spirit and attitude of OMBAC evolved in Old Mission Beach. The common denominator was a strong desire for having fun!

The Old Mission Beach Rats sponsored volleyball tournaments that soon needed better organization to compete for playing dates with Los Angeles beaches. So, in 1954, the Old Mission Beach Athletic Club was born. The original membership was less than twenty and the annual dues were the same for over forty years.

OMBAC sponsored volleyball events, coached youth flag football, had its first Coming Out Party and Over-The-Line Tournament. All was good until 1958 when the Old Mission parking lot closed, the lifeguard station moved, and members had no central meeting place. The Club drifted apart until a new location was established in South Mission.

In 1964, the Club reorganized and a new vitality and determination was rekindled. The Over-The-Line Tournament had survived because of a few die-hards. And while newbies might not recognize the members, you'll find they don't just hang out in San Diego bars and restaurants, they own them. You'll also find lawyers, accountants; basically anyone and everyone that makes San Diego work.

Presently, OMBAC is continuing to enjoy the respect and admiration of the community. Focused on serving amateur sports and youth athletics OMBAC enjoys unmatched leadership. If not for the dedication of its members and the unselfish gift of their time, OMBAC would no longer exist.

The actual tournament is a unique three person beach softball game. There are over 200 teams competing on 60 courts. The goofy drunks tend to play the first weekend to find themselves quickly emiliminated. The second weekend is much more serious and features teams that really know how to play.

So why all the commotion? It sounds like a nice pleasant day at the beach? Well you will see there are a few traditions the group won't let go. One, is the very adult oriented team names like 'Juan Harry Boosh', 'Purple helmeted Soliders of Love' and 'Just here to get laid'. And trust me, when the announcer calls out the matches over the PA system it can make for some REALLY interesting combinations!

Next, is simply the large amount of beer. Cans and kegs anyway, as bottles are not welcome (glass, sand and alcohol don't mix well) . And when you add in the perfect weather, lots of ladies (and a few men) leave little to the imagination.

So if you find yourself anywhere near San Diego this weekend or next head out to Fiesta Island because you have to see it to believe it. Pack up a smaller cooler with some snack and beverages (remember no glass) and plan to take a shuttle bus in (unless you purchased reserved parking on the island sometime ago). If your cute you can generally just stand there and someone will give you a ride, drunk people are friendly like that!