Beach sports are a classification of sport activities which are conducted on a sand surface. They are traditionally associated with being played on a natural, coastal sand beach, but also often take place on artificially constructed in-land playing fields using imported sand. [1] [2] [3] Some beach sports are played on hard, compacted and smooth sand, whilst others are played on soft, loose and uneven sand; a handful are played on both. Many are sand-based adaptations of sports already well established on other surfaces; [4] [5] most are played in smaller playing areas than their parent sports due to the more difficult and exhausting nature of traversing such a yielding terrain. [5] The popularity and range of beach sports has experienced a notable rise since the emergence of pro beach volleyball as a successful commercial venture in the 1980s. [1] [6] [7] Beach sports are practiced from a range of casual and non-competitive to professional-level competition. [4] [5]
The definition of beach sports is also frequently extended to include water sports conducted in an ocean or similar waterbody, overlooked by an adjacent beach which forms an integral part of the aesthetic and culture of such sports; this list excludes these.
This list is not intended to be exhaustive.
It is important to note that most of the codified sports below are also frequently complemented by casual manifestations – typically impromptu, improvised, and loose interpretations of their, or their parent sports, rules and arrangements; self-declared versions of that sport for said session of play by its participants. [8]
The worldwide growth of beach sports has given birth to multiple Olympic-style multi-sport events dedicated in large part to beach sports competition (water sports are also usually included). [2]
The following lists major international beach multi-sport events:
the construction of beach sports courts away from the seashore requires the use of the right quality sand
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: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)The sand for beach sports is often imported for competitions, and the proximity of water is not necessary.
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: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)But of course beach sports can just be what you improvise
the only surface that is definitely not suitable is a sandy beach, however – special light plastic "beach pétanque" balls can be obtained to make beach play possible.
petanque can be played informally on many other types of surface, such as a sandy beach