VAVi Sports Break Into San Diego Nightlife Scene

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VAVi Sport and Social Club is, by far, one of the most outrageous and inspiring young companies in San Diego.

From beach soccer to booze skeeball, kickball to inner tube water polo, and such events as on-site beer pong at the Del Mar Racetrack and a hand-made Pac-Man maze at Wavehouse, all ghosts included, VAVi always raises the bar for creative entertainment.

And at the end of a hugely successful summer, I think it's safe to say: San Diego is hooked on VAVi. For all the league and event basics, visit GoVAVi.com. For all the Insider dirt and gossip, check out our Q&A with Steve Stoloff, CEO of VAVi Sport and Social Club.

Q: Can you give us a background on VAVi?

A: Our club was discovered by the Germans in 1904. They named it VAVi, which of course in German means a whale's vagina.

No, there's no way that's correct.

I'm sorry, I was trying to impress you. VAVi was founded in 2002 with the goal of connecting young professionals in San Diego through fun, recreational sporting activities. To be honest, I don't think anyone knows what VAVi means anymore. Scholars maintain that the translation was lost many years ago.

Q: What element of VAVi is responsible for breaking the company out of just recreation and full-force into the San Diego entertainment scene?

A: This year we decided to place extra focus on our happy hour program and our social events. We took the same elements that made our recreational sports leagues a success, and applied it to our nightlife events. People love competition, whether just for bragging rights or for prizes. We always look to incorporate some element of competition in our social events, ranging from cornhole tournaments to the Beer Olympics.

Q: VAVi is known as a resource for events and nightlife. Does this help or hurt VAVi as a sports company?

A: VAVI is a Sport and Social Club - our members like to have a good time, both on and off the field. Many have been playing for years, and welcome the chance to mingle with one another off the field.

We also have a lot of members that have just moved to town and are looking to develop a social circle. Making them aware of nightlife and entertainment options around town is crucial to helping them build a network of lifelong friends.

Q: What three words come to mind when you compare the sports market and the nightlife scene?

A: Dirty, sweaty, fun.

Q: What are the three most unique and/or bizarre events you've thrown in San Diego?

A: Our most bizarre event was our Human Pac-man event that we produced for AJ's Playhouse on Channel 93.3. We constructed a life-size Pac-Man suit along with all the ghosts, and created a maze for them to chase each other around in.

I would also have to rank our Sumo Wrestling night at Aubergine high up on the list. We had a hosted Sake bar, a moderator wearing traditional sumo garb and, of course, a hot ring girl. I lost my bout to Leeroy the Liger - he won on a cheap shot.

To round out the list, Playground Wars was an extraordinary event. We raised money for our local parks and recreation department - it was a true adult "field day," with a kickball tournament, flag football tournament, and a three-legged race!

Q: What are the three most unique sports teams you offer?

A: Our inner tube Water Polo league held at the Wavehouse on Tuesdays has to be our most innovative league. It is played just like real water polo, except everyone gets an inner tube to float around in. The competition gets heated - tubes get flipped, water gets splashed.

This summer, we rolled out Kickball Quickies for all the commitment-phobes out there. To take advantage of the long summer nights, we set up a five week, no-strings attached Kickball league. Apparently, people in Pacific Beach love quickies during the work week - every night we offered sold out!

For those less-than-serious "athletes" out there, we offer up Booze Skeeball - 6 weeks of intense skeeball action out at Dave and Busters in Mission Valley. Everyone gets VAVi headbands, and teams are encouraged to wear outrageous costumes.

Q: What is one piece of advice you'd give to a virgin VAVi-er?

A: Relax, ... it's just kickball! Seriously, the best advice I can give is to go out and have fun. Our leagues are social and everyone is very friendly. Come to play with a good attitude and a big smile, and you're sure to have a great time!

Q: What is your favorite element of San Diego nightlife and entertainment scenes?

A: My favorite element is the diversity. There are so many transplants in San Diego that everyone is so open and friendly. My favorite places to go are the Tap Room in Pacific Beach to grab a few beers after a game, The Local downtown to hang out with Mina and the rest of the crew, and East Village Tavern - a genius idea to put a bowling alley into one of the hippest sports bars in town!

Q: What is your favorite element of the San Diego sports scene?

A: I love the fact that there's something for everyone. Where else can you surf in the morning and go skiing in the afternoon? The sun is shining all year round, and there is plenty of open space to go out and do whatever it is that you like to do: walk, run, cycle, swim, surf, play softball ... it's available all year round. Not like in upstate NY where I grew up - when winter hit, there was nothing to do but play basketball while waiting for the ice to melt.

Q: What is your favorite memory from a VAVi sports game?

A: Scoring our first run. It only took us 6 weeks. Yeah, my Kickball team was that bad. But winning isn't everything - we still had fun!

Check out the DiscoverSD hosted VAVi sports and recreation blog here, and view VAVi San Diego sports photos here.