Sun of a Beach volleyball tourney sees spike in entries
Advertisement
Read this article for free:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
We need your support!
Local journalism needs your support!
As we navigate through unprecedented times, our journalists are working harder than ever to bring you the latest local updates to keep you safe and informed.
Now, more than ever, we need your support.
Starting at $15.99 plus taxes every four weeks you can access your Brandon Sun online and full access to all content as it appears on our website.
Subscribe Nowor call circulation directly at (204) 727-0527.
Your pledge helps to ensure we provide the news that matters most to your community!
To continue reading, please subscribe:
Add Brandon Sun access to your Winnipeg Free Press subscription for only
$1 for the first 4 weeks*
*$1 will be added to your next bill. After your 4 weeks access is complete your rate will increase by $4.99 a X percent off the regular rate.
Read unlimited articles for free today:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 21/11/2016 (3222 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
The Assiniboine Community College Students’ Association brought the beach to Brandon over the weekend for the annual Sun of a Beach volleyball tournament at the Keystone Centre.
The Manitoba Room, packed with 230 yards of sand supporting four beach volleyball courts, was a bustle of high energy as the DJ kept the party bumping as teams jumped and spiked their way to the top.
“It’s a long-standing tradition here in Westman,” said Megan Pierreroy, ACCSA’s vice-president of events and marketing.
“It’s a lot of fun … it’s really awesome being part of the planning process and see everyone having a blast.”
Sun of a Beach started in 1988, with only 16 teams competing.
It has continued growing ever since, attracting teams from across Manitoba, Saskatchewan and even the United States, Pierreroy said.
A decline in participation last year prompted the tournament — which used to be held in March — to be pushed back to November, causing some graduating students to miss out on the tournament.
ACCSA told The Brandon Sun at the time that more students were leaving for spring break, and by changing the tournament’s date, team enrolments should increase.
Despite the inconvenience of the date shuffle, the change seems to be paying off so far.
“We have 62 teams this year, which is a lot more than we had last year, so that’s really good,” Pierreroy said.
“We also practically doubled the prize money, so it’s $5,500 in cash prizes … first place takes home $2,500.”
Members of returning champion team Online Dating, who won the tournament in 2015, had their eye on the prize.
“We’re going for the double header championship,” team captain Amanda Chambers said with a laugh.
The alumni team has played in the tournament for three years now, Chambers said.
“It’s a great time to come out and hang with some friends and play some volleyball … it’s competitive, but it’s still a good time. It’s more for fun than anything else,” Chambers said.
For some teams, like I’m Not Hitting That, part of the fun is coming up with team outfits.
“We just wanted cool tie dye (shirts) with the cats (on the front),” said team captain Jeffrey Schwarz, pointing to the drawn cat faces on the front of his brightly coloured T-shirt.
“It was a quick sell.”
This is the second year the team has come together to have a good time, Schwartz said.
“We love playing volleyball … might as well come out and have a weekend of fun,” he said.
» edebooy@brandonsun.com
» Twitter: @erindebooy