Venice Beach - Los Angeles

[Photo Gallery: Venice Beach - 49 photos of 3 on 3 & 5 on 5 pickup games (April 2006)]

Sun, Surf & Streetball - LA has it made! Being an Aussie who has dreamed of hooping it up at Venice Beach ever since Woody schooled Wesley, getting off the plane & straight onto this court has been on the cards for a long time now.

The first thing that hits you (apart from the obligatory introductory elbow from
some old black dude) is the athleticism - kids here have some jet-propelled hops. Watching a weekend game on the show court, I saw maybe half a dozen guys hammer it during full court runs, and a number of these blokes are sub 6ft!

Each of the past 7 days, I have been running in 3's & 5's both here at Venice and also at playgrounds in nearby Santa Monica. Against most competition I have been holding my own (and then some), but in the weekend games, a few ex-Division 1 College ballers have rocked up to kick my (and everyone elses) arse(s).

Venice Beach has 4 courts with varying standards of competition: from the court 4 no-talent, never-touched-a-ball, tourist-wannabe-hacks to the court 1 will-dunk-on-your-head-without-even-blinking-and-then-tell-you-all-about-it, high school & college ballers. I am told it really depends on the day, but it's safe to say that if there is light, there is quality pick-up ball to be found here!

Oh yeah, it's also worth mentioning that White Men Can't Jump portrayed a real authentic depiction of this place - especially the arguing. Guys here will break up a game for 10 minutes at a time to fight over a line call!

If you love basketball & you ever get a chance to visit LA, check out the playground - Venice rocks!

Streetball Dunk Video of me throwing down a one-hander at Venice Beach:

Venice Beach Streetball Information:
Court Location: The Boardwalk, Venice Beach, near Windward Avenue & the Boardwalk, Venice, California (90291)
Courts: 4
Runs: 3 on 3 half-court & 5 on 5 full-court
Best Time for Runs: Weekends, all day