Coast Guard wins thrilling dodgeball tournament during day 3 of LA Fleet Week

Day three of the 10th annual Los Angeles Fleet Week kicked off with military personnel singing as part of the “Military’s Got Talent” competition on Sunday, May 24, but also included sailors, Marines and others trying to pelt each other during a dodgeball tournament.

Live music also filled the San Pedro Harbor as hundreds of attendees filed into the expo area next to the USS Battleship Iowa.

Although the sky was gloomy Sunday morning, the attendees were not. In anticipation of one of Fleet Week’s most exciting events, the dodgeball tournament, people crowded a fenced off area in front of the main stage as military members and first responders filed into the court.

Ens. Erika Pereztosca competed with a seven-person U.S. Navy Seabees team — and said it was a great introduction to her first Los Angeles Fleet Week experience.

“It has been so fun,” Pereztosca said. “I’ve never experienced anything like it.”

The heated dodgeball tournament featured an additional five teams – the Navy NRC, the “Coasties” (U.S. Coast Guard), Navy Essex, the “ Navy Bravos” (underwater construction divers), the “Devil Dogs” (U.S. Marines), and two civilian teams – the Guard Dogs and Mission Unlikely.

It was a double-elimination competition, meaning a team had to lose two times in order to be disqualified. All of the teams put up a good fight, including Mission Unlikely, even though one team member having to borrow shoes from someone in the audience.

In the end, though, the Navy Bravos brought home the gold trophy, with a team member accepting the golden cup while wearing a diving helmet. Silver went to the Devil Dogs and bronze went to the Coasties.

Those were not the only winners. Competitors had the opportunity to win the GOAT (Greatest of All Time) Award. Eight people were selected for their enthusiasm and skill while playing — and then they faced each other. After playing their game, the audience selected who would receive the award by cheering the loudest for who they liked.

“We want to see some moves,” the announcer said as the sun began to shine over the expo. “We want to see borrowed shoes. But most of all, we want to see you having fun.”

The GOAT competitors showed off with tricks and garnered support by participating with the crowd.

“This is a full exhibition of crazy dodgeball GOATness,” the announcer said during the game.

Elliot, who had jumped into the Coasties team mid-tournament when they lost some teammates, was named the Goat. Because of Elliot volunteering along with a fellow ensign, the Coasties also won the Spirit Award.

The rest of the Fleet Week festivities, meanwhile, were happening in full force. By midday, thousands of attendees were exploring the grounds, with some touring the main attraction – the USS Iowa, and the three active Navy and Coat Guard ships available for tour – and others exploring the expo.

The expo features food trucks, military equipment and informational areas.

Among the vendors was Dry Brew, a caffeinated treat that was created by former U.S. Navy engineer Pablito De La Rosa, who, with his busy schedule working and raising his family, wanted an easier way to consume coffee while driving. So he invented a waterless coffee. While it looks like a small chocolate-like treat, one bite contains an entire cup of coffee.

Former Navy Cmdr. James Giles was a fan.

“I spent 26 years in the Navy, including commanding a destroyer,” Giles said. “During that time, I consumed enough caffeine, nicotine and terrible decisions to keep several cardiologists financially secure.”

He spent years feeling terrible because of what he consumed trying to stay awake while serving in the Navy, Giles said.

“The military basically runs on sleep deprivation, hate and gas station energy drinks,” he said. “Dry Brew is one of the few things I’ve seen that actually feels built for people who work hard without tasting like melted battery acid.”

Later in the day, the crowd began to wander to the main stage, where the world-renowned Satin Dollz performed in a style reminiscent of WWII USO Camp Shows. Following the Satin Dollz, the Destroyers, the Navy Band Southwest’s popular musical group, took the stage.

Later in the evening was a screening of the season one finale of the CBS show “Marshals” and a Q&A with series star Ash Santos.

The 2026 Los Angeles Fleet Week will conclude on Monday, May 25, with the primary events slated to be the FIFA Mini-Soccer Tournament, a Memorial Day observance and a closing ceremony. More information on Fleet Week events and tickets for battleship tours can be found at lafleetweek.com.