About Us

 
 

“Be The Light House Spread The Light”

Empowering Confidence To Play.

Beach Volleyball brings together the human need to compete, great exercise, and a beautiful social dynamic that is unmatched. Nothing is better than stepping onto the court with your friends for some competitive games, but often times many people feel intimidated to play and get left behind.

We want to change that. Whether you are an experienced player who wants to go pro, a beginner who wants to get started, or a group of friends who want to up their game and get more competitive - everyone can benefit from having some extra coaching.

Form and skill are the building blocks upon which the sport is based which is why our coaching philosophy starts with the fundamentals. You’ll be able to quickly learn not only the techniques to improve your skills but also the strategies to help you dominate on the court.

We create spaces where everyone is welcome. You wouldn’t judge a flower for not blooming fast enough, and we won’t judge you! Come out and enjoy a safe space, positive environment, and enjoy some beach volleyball.

 

Hi I’m Matthew,
Founder of Venice beach Volleyball Academy

Head coach | Professional Beach Volleyball Player

For as long as I can remember, I’ve been an athlete. It started with soccer at 4 years old, then swimming, track, and all the rest of the sports … my poor mother!

6 years ago I found Beach Volleyball and I have been addicted ever since. I am currently training for pro beach volleyball with my sights on the 2024 and 2028 Olympics.

Passionate about helping others learn the sport, I’m dedicated to empowering others to feel more confident to step on the court and play instead of only watching.

Why work with us? I’ve studied the likes of Karch Kiraly , Nick Lucina, Todd Rodgers, Clemens Wickler. If you don’t know who these guys are do a quick google search - you wont be disappointed!

Originally from Louisiana, you can now find me on the beach in Venice, CA. When I’m not training clients, you can find me watching volleyball, training at the gym, or reading a new book.

See you on the beach!


Meet Our Coaches!

Wesley Whitcamper

Wesley has been with beach volleyball academy for two seasons. He is a Skilled two vs two player. He can be tricky and his eyes are always searching for the open spot

What Our Students Have To Say

 Testimonials

 

“Matt is an awesome coach. He's super patient and gives great personalized feedback. I went from not touching a volleyball since middle school to being able to play games of both 4's and 2's with friends. While I personally was just looking to be able to play with friends, he also seems to be able to get plenty of players tournament ready if that's what you're looking for. I highly recommend Venice BVA for all different levels of experience!” - Christina C.


“Matthew is the best instructor you could ask for. He goes deep on the theory but also has you practice the fundamentals over and over again until you become proficient through repetition. He is always patient and encouraging as you learn and is always there to remind you that it just takes time! I've learned SO much in the few weeks I've been taking class, and my game has improved tremendously. I look forward to coming back for a long time to come to keep getting better and better.” - Ilya P.


“Ok I usually don't write a lot of reviews, but this is definitely an outstanding service and really liked the quality of the teaching as much as the learn at your own pace! At first you get 2 sessions to actually learn the basics. Then you join a group of other enthusiastic people and get to practice with of course the supervision of Matt. Regardless if you are here to be a the next beach volleyball champion or just learning the basics to be able to play with friends on weekend, I can guaranty you that you will have fun and won't be disappointed. Looking forward to see you on court!” - Xavier H.


“Matthew is very patient, intuitive and passionate on how he teaches and has managed to get my daughter excited about volleyball. This was a challenge as she was very apathetic about lessons in the beginning . Matthew is persistent in making sure a technique is done well to improve overall performance in the game. He also makes it so much fun with his overall enthusiasm and a great music playlist each time to add to overall motivation . I highly recommend his class to all ages and levels.” Brooke G.


“Love the class and Matt's a great teacher. I came across this class by way of a friend and have loved going since! I've only had indoor volleyball experience, so Matt has helped me understand the nuances between the two and how to adjust to the sport. I've been going for a few months now and I've found myself becoming more comfortable with the basics and even able to jump above a mens net (I'm 5'5). In just a short period of time, the techniques Matt has taught us has really changed the way I play, and has made me addicted to the sport. Also, everyone is class is friendly and welcoming. I've also met some great people in that I play with outside of class. It's really nice to have a community so close by, and play with people who love the sport! If you're looking for a fun time, community, and trying to better your beach volleyball techniques (or learn for the first time), I would highly recommend!” - Kelsey F.


“If you're here because you saw the sign in the sand with the QR code, you're in the right place. if you have no idea what i'm talking about, you're still in the right place. Last year I had zero knowledge of how to play beach volleyball. after 2-3 months of coming to VBVA, I have honed a legendary super saiyan serve -- all thanks to these classes. Classes during the week are cardio heavy but doable -- bring water and go at your own pace! M - W are drills where you get lots of practice bumping, serve receiving, setting, etc. if you want to break down a past match, Matt will adapt and come up with a quick drill on the fly to help the whole class work on it. Toward the end of class and Sundays are fun games: 2s, 3s, and sometimes 4 v 4.

The community is welcoming, encouraging, and focused. you'll learn through osmosis/playing with better players who have been going to VBA for longer and also receive pointers from Matt throughout the class. Matt's superpower is breaking down the game to understand it simply. after 2-3 months of coming to class I feel comfortable playing in any format and have seen massive improvements in my volleyball game. With individual class passes to try it out and a monthly subscription for unlimited as options, this is kind of a no-brainer. Highly recommend for anyone who wants to be part of an awesome, growing community of beach volleyball players on the west side.” - Scott R.


“Awesome program and Matthew is an excellent teacher. I went from zero beach volleyball experience to feeling comfortable playing two's in most settings. He has all the equipment ready to go. Always great groups of people in the program so it's also a great way to meet people and find others to play with. Many groups have formed from Venice BVA.” - Cody B.


“Matt is one of the most enthusiastic, encouraging and intuitive coaches I've ever worked with in all the sports I've played throughout my life. I am so grateful to have met him and his genuine positivity and passion is contagious on and off the court. Venice Volleyball Academy has taught me so much about the sport of volleyball! Forever thankful for Matt & all his hard work!” - Darcy R.


“Matt's a gifted teacher. It's rare to find a talented player who's as passionate about teaching as they are playing, but every lesson I've gone to has improved my mechanics, strengthened my approach, and left me thinking about volleyball in new ways that might have taken me months or years to discover on my own. He is a true shaman of the sands.

Classes are fun and filled with friendly, encouraging faces. The positive and supportive environment is welcoming to all players, whether you've never touched a volleyball before, or have been playing for years and want to try out new techniques to break past plateaus. And there's nothing more awesome than playing twos on the beach as the sun sets over the ocean, blasting the ball across the pinks and blues of the Pacific sky. If you're thinking you might like volleyball, Matt will show you all there is to love about the sport. If you like playing already, Matt will deepen your love for the game. No better place to be, no better value for your money.” - Jay R.


“I had been looking for an academy to teach my boys 11 and 13 how to play volleyball. We live in Venice, and didn’t find anything close, until we stumbled across Venice Beach Volleyball Academy. It has been one of the best and most fun things that we do on a weekly basis now. They were terrible when we started and now have developed a lot of skills and passion for beach volleyball. I take the class with them, and have a great time doing so. Matthew and his team are INCREDIBLE. Not only do my boys LOVE them, they are really hands on and skilled at what they do and their teaching techniques. FURTHERMORE, my boys have made some new friends as well.

It is really great to see some life and community come back to Venice. Venice Beach Volleyball Academy is part of bringing Venice back to life. I HIGHLY, HIGHLY, HIGHLY recommend this for ANYONE, of ALL ages that think they may have an interest.” - Tom F.


“Working with Matthew at Venice BVA was a GAME CHANGER! I went from never getting asked to play a game with friends on the weekend to getting asked to play 2s within just 3 lessons. Not only is the coaching effective, it's fun. Matthew has a way of teaching that makes even the most intimidating things feel really easy to grasp. His understanding of how to break things down and make you feel comfortable to try is unparalleled. He really wants to see you succeed on the court which actually makes you play better.

A lot of coaches can teach you the skills or run drills but with Matthew you learn the little nuances and strategies of the game so you are actually a smarter player. Regardless of your skill level, if you have any interest in giving beach volleyball a try - Venice BVA is an absolute must!!” - Erin B.


“I love training with Matthew at Venice Beach Volleyball Academy! The academy is great for experienced and beginner beach volleyball players. I'm a little in between beginner and experienced and I learn so much when I train with Matthew. I recommend buying a package or coming regularly to really improve your skills.” - Sarah D.


“Game changer! Corrected my technique so quickly and was able to enhance my spikes. Quality teaching.” - Alexandria M.


“Can't say enough about Venice Beach Volleyball Academy!! Matt is a fantastic coach and really helped to improve my game. I am a beginner who only plays a few pickup games a year, but now I feel much more comfortable joining a competitive league! I highly recommend some VBVA lessons to anyone trying to improve their game or for some beginner lessons.” - Sam H.


“I did the new student workshop and am taking group lessons at Venice BVA. Matthew is an excellent coach who creates a fun atmosphere to learn the skills & strategy of beach volleyball. In just a couple of sessions, I saw huge improvements and gained the skills & confidence to play pickup games against experienced players. I highly recommend Venice BVA to volleyball beginners or more advanced players looking to hone their skills.” - Patrick F.


“I've had three classes so far with Venice BVA and I just purchased a class pack. The instruction and drills are taking my volleyball game to the next level. This is a great volleyball academy for anyone looking to level up their volleyball game for fun or competition.” - Dave K.