AVP pros usher in summer season

It looks like summer’s finally here. The sun was shining big-time over Memorial Day weekend, boosting air temperatures into the mid-70s.

Beachgoers flocked to the shores of Surf City to get a tan and cool down in ocean waters that were feeling pretty darn nice, in the upper 60s. The lifeguards estimated more than 500,000 people came to Huntington Beach over the three days, which saw some 2- to 3-foot southwest swells, a few riptides and about 85 rescues.

Add in the AVP Pro beach volleyball tournament Saturday and Sunday, and parking was scarce.

In the women’s final, Misty May-Treanor from Newport Harbor High and Kerry Walsh took the crown, winning $50,000 ? not bad for some fun in the sun.

In the men’s final, Phil Dalhausser and Todd Rogers took the close win over the local crowd favorites, Brent Doble of Capistrano and Ryan Mariano of Lake Forest.

It looks like pro beach volleyball has come a long way, with tons of spectators and some big prize money.