A Brief History of Beach Volleyball

This year’s 4th of July landed on a Saturday, which meant a potential three day weekend for many of us here in the United States. Since July tends to be one of the hottest months of the year, a trip to the beach for an Independence Day celebration was a must. 

(Source: FIVB)

But summer isn't over, and besides BBQing, watching the fireworks, and swimming, beach volleyball is an all time favorite for any summer day spent at the beach Many beaches now have a multiple pole ses and net systems on the beach in a designated “Beach Volleyball Area.” How cool is that?

The sport and activity of beach volleyball is said to go all the way back to the 1920’s. While competitive indoor volleyball goes back a little further than that, beach volleyball is less than a hundred years old, but still a major draw in the Summer Olympic games.  

Beach volleyball was started in the state that is said to have some of the best beaches in the US, that being California. Southern California has been know to have a huge beach culture, so its no surprise that beach volleyball is rooted in Santa Monica, a coastal city right nextdoor to Los Angeles.

As beach-goers came to enjoy the newly formed jetties in Santa Monica, some brought out their volleyball materials and set up games. Like many hobbies beach volleyball became such a hit people started to form teams and clubs to compete.

Fast forward a little over 70 years and beach volleyball became an Olympic Sport in the 1996 Atlanta Games. Since then, it has been a mainstay. So if you’re at this beach this 4th of July, don’t forget your ball and your sunscreen; and don’t forget to have fun!
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