Beach Volley Ball – Emergence And Popularity Of The Game

Beach volley ball more popularly known as sand volley ball is an Olympic sport. Similar to other games, two teams separated by a high net play against each other and try to gain points by grounding the ball in each others court. Beach volley ball usually consists of two players and sometimes goes up to six players.
This game was first played in Southern California and today is considered the most favorite team sport. Its popularity is such, that countries without beaches like Switzerland also follow the game closely. This game was initially played by surfers who had nothing to do when their surf was down and had to wait for long hours getting extremely bored. To keep them busy while their surfs were being repaired, they played beach volley ball and this past time later on emerged as a favorite team sport.
Though beach volley ball is famous in Southern California, the first game was played on the beaches of Waikiki in Honolulu, Hawaii. Mr. Duke Kahanamoku was a legendary player and the most reckoned name in this sport.
It is said that in the year 1920 when jetties were being constructed in Santa Monica, California, large sandy regions were created which sowed the seed for the emergence of beach volley ball. Slowly permanent nets were put and people were seen playing the game in public parts of the beach and also in the private clubs. Gradually by the beginning of 1922 there were almost 11 such beach clubs in Santa Monica. The first inter club competition was held in 1924.
Earlier beach volley ball matches were played with six players on either side. The perception of playing the game with two players and the credit for the same goes to Mr. Paul Pablo Johnson. Having to wait for all six players to turn up to start a game, Paul Johnson decided to play with four of the members who were present, not wanting to loose time. There has been no looking back since then and today beach volley ball is famous and is played with great vigor and vitality.
Though beach volley ball is similar to indoor volley ball there are some basic differences like the surface in which each of the game is played. While beach volley ball is played on sand surface the indoor volley ball is played on a hard surface. Other differences are the sizes of the courts, the number of sets each game is played etc., Moreover the ball which is used to play beach volley ball is much softer and is slightly bigger than the ball used to play indoor volley ball game.
In Europe the game was played in the 1930’s and by the 1940’s the doubles competition were played in Santa Monica for the winners were bestowed with awards. Over the years the game has been followed by a large number of people and its popularity has increased by leaps and bounds. Today this game is no longer a sport but is considered as a life style.