Beach

Players gather for the inaugural Beach Volleyball Series event at Gulf Shores, AL. The Gulf Coast Region offers top-notch doubles competition and fun on world-class beaches. Our friendly, well-run tournaments, sanctioned by USA Volleyball, are attracting media attention: WMBB-13 news story | AL.com story with photos

Strong competition, fun times, sand and sun!

(Sept. 1, 2010) - The Gulf Coast Region's Beach Series for 2010 was another strong showing of tournaments and teams with a healthy dose of hearty competition and fun in the sun. The host clubs were fabulous, and the participating teams improved weekly. A great time was had by all.

Our friendly, well-run tournaments, sanctioned by USA Volleyball, are attracting more media attention each year: WMBB-13 news story | AL.com story with photos.

Please note that the July 10 tournament in Waveland, MS and the July 17 tourney in Fort Walton Beach, FL were canceled due to the oil spill.

The region's Beach Series had a strong year, building on last season's success. The Series concluded with a championship event on July 31. Here was the schedule:

June 5 - Gulf Shores, AL - Map.
June 12 - Panama City, FL.
June 26 - Navarre Beach, FL (juniors):
- Location: Juana's - Map.
June 27 - Navarre Beach, FL (adults):
- Location: Juana's - Map.
- Check-in: 8 to 8:45
- Pool play: 9 a.m.
- Registration: Tournament brochure with waiver
- Entry fee: $50 per team
- Divisions:
  - Men's doubles.
  - Women's doubles.
  - Co-ed doubles.
- Prizes: Merchandise, volleyball clothing.
- Lodging: Partner for Navarre Beach Series stop is the Hampton Inn on 98 a few miles west of bridge. 850-939-4848.
- Contact: Coach Bryant, commissioner, (251) 979-4287, worldbb@gulftel.com
July 10 - Waveland, MS - canceled due to oil spill.
- Directions to playing site:
  - From I-10, turn south at the Bay/Waveland exit (Hwy 603).
  - Go south to Highway 90. At Highway 90 go straight. 603 turns into Nicholson Ave. Cross railroad tracks.
  - Turn right on Central.
  - Turn left on Lafitte. Lafitte will take you to the pier. Playing site will be just west of the pier.
July 17 - Fort Walton Beach, FL - canceled due to oil spill.
July 31 - Gulf Shores, AL - Grand Championships.

Also available - promotional flier.

How to register for a Beach Series tournament

To participate in the Gulf Coast Region's 2010 beach tournament series, you must:

Be a USA Volleyball member. The Gulf Coast Region offers a special beach membership for $20. Individual membership form - BEACH. Signature of a parent/guardian is required.
Register for a tournament by completing the appropriate tournament brochure with waiver:
- Registration form/brochure for junior players. Signature of a parent/guardian is required.
- Registration form/brochure for adult players.
Present a notarized medical release form. Signature of a parent/guardian is required.
Pay team registration fee of $50 (advance) or $60 (day of event) - payable to Gulf Coast Region.
Read player information sheet/day-of-tournament checklist.

Juniors and adults needing information are encouraged to call the region office at (251) 979-4287.

News stories feature players in Gulf Coast Region's Beach Series

(June 21, 2010) - Recent media coverage of the Gulf Coast Region's Beach Series includes a very nice story about the June 5 tournament in Gulf Shores, AL, by the Alabama Live website, as well as TV news coverage from WMBB, an ABC affiliate..

2009 beach championships offered great play

(Oct. 27, 2009) - The 2009 beach championships in the Gulf Coast Region were again a great success. The 2009 beach series flier shows details. The schedule was:

May 30-31 - Gulf Shores, AL.
June 13-14 - Panama City, FL. Map and motel info.
June 27-28 - Pensacola, FL. Map and motel info.
Aug. 1-2 - Gulf Shores, AL. - Grand championships.

Teams from other regions are encouraged to participate in this fast-growing doubles competition. If you are not a USAV member, please join in your region (find your region).

The Gulf Coast Region Grand Championships were in Gulf Shores, Ala., on Aug. 1, with both junior and adult divisions.

Inaugural 2008 beach series rocks the surf

(Aug. 12, 2008) - Beach volleyball tournament action is now a hallmark of the Gulf Coast Region. We have some of the best beaches in the world. The summer of 2008 was our inaugural beach season. The series was a great success. Here is the lineup of 2008 tournaments:

Gulf Shores, AL - May 17, 2008. Map. | Results/photos.
Panama City, FL - June 14, 2008. Map. | Results/photo.
Pensacola Beach, FL - June 28, 2008. Map.
Gulfport, MS junior + adult tournament - July 12, 2008. Map. Directions: From I-10 coming from east or west, turn south at the Loraine Cowan Road exit. Turn right on Seaway Road. Turn left at big water tower and sign for The Dock.
Gulf Shores, AL - Aug. 2, 2008. Grand championships. Map.

The Gulf Coast Region of USA Volleyball sponsored this inaugural series. The goal is to grow the game indoors and out. A promotional one-page flier includes additional information. Junior divisions of 12, 14, 16 and 18 will be offered for boys and girls, with an additional female 20-and-under division. Adult divisions are planned for the future.

A challenge to school athletic departments: "We're issuing a special challenge to the athletic departments of area high schools," says Philip Bryant, commissioner of the Gulf Coast Region. "We will award a substantial donation to the athletic program with the most athletes in the tournament."

This new series has been six years in the making. The region has procured excellent equipment for these tournaments. Like all USAV-sanctioned events, the 2008 Beach Volleyball Series will offer high-level competition, well-run events and the opportunity to play in refereed games according to the official rules of volleyball as played in the Olympics.

Sponsorship opportunities are still available: Sponsorship opportunities are available for the series. Interested parties should contact the region office (call 251-981-4746 or email worldbb@gulftel.com) for a sponsorship packet.

A significant milestone for Gulf Coast volleyball: "This new beach series has been six years in the making," Bryant says. "It's a very big deal. We plan to offer high-level beach play that is fun for everyone.

"But make no mistake. These tournaments will be tough to win. The best players will all come out for it. We expect junior athletes from all over the country to participate. We look forward to hosting teams from other regions who want to test their mettle on the sand against the best volleyball athletes in the Gulf Coast Region."

The region's goal is to host the 2014 Junior Olympic Beach Championships of USA Volleyball, Bryant says.

"This will just be a fantastic new series," says Commissioner Bryant, "and a significant milestone in the growth of the sport of volleyball along the Gulf Coast."

Panama City June 14 tournament results

(June 18, 2008) - Deanna Vogler and Brooke Carpenter took first place in the 2008 Beach Volleyball Series tournament in Panama City, FL, on June 14. The tournament is one of four tournaments to qualify for the Grand Championships in Gulf Shores, AL on Aug. 2. The girls already qualified for a spot with a second-place finish in the Gulf Shores tournament earlier this summer. The 2008 Beach Volleyball Series is presented by the Gulf Coast Region of USA Volleyball. See full results for Panama City tournament.

Deanna Vogler and Brooke Carpenter, champions of the 2008 Beach Volleyball Series in Panama City, FL, pose at the site of their triumph.

Gulf Shores May 17 tournament results and photos

(June 12, 2008) - The May 17 Beach Volleyball Series event was a historic occasion for the Gulf Coast Region.

Under a clear crisp blue sky in Gulf Shores, AL, the Gulf Coast Region hosted its first-ever beach tournament. This first stop of the region's Beach Volleyball Series hosted teams from three states. Some of the best junior players along the northern Gulf Coast competed to be crowned champion of this inaugural event. See full results for Gulf Shores May 17 tournament.

The day began with National Beach Official Crystal Lewis from Panama City, FL, conducting a beach rules and scorekeeping clinic. Crystal also held a strategy session that assisted the younger players in identifying tactics and skills of the beach game that they can develop and will see from our Olympic players in China later this summer.

Teams competed in pool play, then they were seeded for a single-elimination tournament.

This historical volleyball event in the Gulf Coast Region will conclude with the Grand Championships on Aug. 2 in Gulf Shores, AL. Find a partner and join the fun!

Players at the inaugural Gulf Shores beach tourney.

Players at the inaugural Gulf Shores tournament made history and had a great day in the sand and the sun, kicking off the Gulf Coast Region's 2008 Beach Volleyball Series.

Brooke Carpenter makes a pass out of the net while partner Deanna Vogler sets up for the attack.

In the 16/18 division, champions were Brett/Brett (right), followed by second-place team Carpenter/Vogler (left).

In the 14s division, champions Caitlin Chapman and Emily Brooks (from left) defeated the team of Sarah Litteken and Sarah Bunch in the finals.

National beach official Crystal Lewis instructs players at the beginning of the day of beach play. Players received instruction in officiating and also in beach tactics and skills.