Something about the sand, the sun, or the surf must make Hawai'i residents more passionate about volleyball than their Mainland counterparts. Attendance at University of Hawai'i volleyball matches typically leads the nation, and volleyball is one of the most popular sports for high school students. So, following typical Hawai'i philosophy that anything worth doing can be done on the beach, it's no surprise that beach volleyball has carved a niche in the islands.
While the rules for beach volleyball and indoor volleyball are essentially the same–beach volleyball is typically played with two players per team while indoor volleyball teams have six players–the difference between the two games is clearly the environment. Compared to hard, surfaced, indoor courts, moving around on sand is much more demanding. On the flip side however, diving after loose balls on the sand is far less painful than sliding across hardwood floors.
Playing outdoors also means that participants must deal with the weather. Typically, Hawaii's days are calm and sunny, so it is important to wear sunscreen and stay hydrated, especially because sunlight reflects off the white sand and can make you feel like you are baking. Meanwhile, windy days can wreak havoc on outdoor volleyball matches. Since volleyballs are made of lightweight material, strong gusts can drastically alter trajectories and make games far trickier. But for some people, this might add to the excitement.
If you are looking for a pick-up volleyball game on Oahu, the only beach with permanent courts set up is on Queen's beach in Waikiki. Most beaches prohibit any form of ball playing directly next to the water, so volleyball nets must be set up an appropriate distance away. This usually means that beach volleyball becomes more like grass volleyball.
Despite volleyball's popularity in Hawaii, there are no large organized beach volleyball leagues. The Association of Volleyball Professionals, or the AVP, is America's largest professional volleyball organization, but it is headquartered in California.
Beach Volleyball Resources
- Hawai'i Volleyball Leagues:
- • Hawai'i Beach Volleyball: www.hawaiibeachvolleyball.com
- • Hawai'i Volleyball Association: www.hawaiivolleyball.net
- • Oahu Volleyball Association: www.oahuvolleyball.com
- • Ho'Okino Volleyball Club: www.leaguelineup.com
- AVP website:
- • www.avp.com
- Beach Volleyball rules:
- • www.usopenbeachvolleyball.com
