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:
Beach volleyball is a team sport played by two teams of two players each on a sand court divided by a net. Similar to indoor volleyball, the objective of the game is to send the ball over the net and to ground it on the opponent's side of the court. Each team also works in unison to prevent the opposing team from grounding the ball on their side of the court.
A European Championship is the top level international sports competition between European athletes or sports teams representing their respective countries or professional sports clubs.
Footvolley is a sport that combines aspects of beach volleyball and association football.
A team sport is a type of sport where the fundamental nature of the game or sport requires the participation of multiple individuals working together as a team, and it is inherently impossible or highly impractical to execute the sport as a single-player endeavour. In team sports, the cooperative effort of team members is essential for the sport to function and achieve its objectives. The objective often involves teammates facilitating the movement of a ball or similar object in accordance with a set of rules in order to score points. Examples are basketball, volleyball, rugby, water polo, handball, lacrosse, cricket, baseball, and the various forms of football and hockey. These sports emphasize teamwork, strategy, and coordination among team members while competing against opposing teams to achieve a common goal. Team sports do not include individual or individual-to-team events within a sport.
The State Games of North Carolina is an Olympic-style competition in North Carolina, and a member of the National Congress of State Games. The BODYARMOR State Games are the largest sports festival in North Carolina and one of the largest State Games programs in the United States. The annual event features over 12,000 athletes and 600 teams competing in 25-30 different sports. The goal of the state games is to promote fitness, sportsmanship, and a drug-free environment to North Carolinians.
The Sukma Games is a biennial national multi-sport event involving young athletes from Malaysia's 13 states and 3 Federal Territories. The games are regulated by the National Sports Council of Malaysia, the state sports council of the respective member states, the Olympic Council of Malaysia and the National Sports association of the games respective sporting event. The logo was designed by Anuar bin Dan in 1986.
A pitch or a sports ground is an outdoor playing area for various sports. The term pitch is most commonly used in British English, while the comparable term in Australian, American and Canadian English is playing field or sports field.
The World Masters Games is an international multi-sport event held every four years which, in terms of competitor numbers, has developed into the largest of its kind. Governed by the International Masters Games Association (IMGA), the World Masters Games is open to sports people of all abilities and most ages – the minimum age criterion ranges between 25 and 35 years depending on the sport. Auckland, New Zealand hosted the event's ninth edition from 21 to 30 April 2017.
Several sports related to volleyball have become popular. Indoor volleyball and beach volleyball are both events at the Olympics, and sitting volleyball is an event at the Paralympics. Other varieties are localized, or are played at an amateur or informal level.
The Fourth Asian Beach Games were held in Phuket Island, Phuket province, Thailand. The games were originally scheduled for Boracay Island, Aklan, Philippines, but was affected by the OCA's hosting changes.
The 13th South Pacific Games, also known as Apia 2007, were held from 25 August to 8 September 2007 in Apia, Samoa. The Games were the thirteenth to be held since the inception of the South Pacific Games in 1963, and included traditional multi-sport event disciplines, such as athletics and swimming, alongside region-specific and smaller events such as outrigger canoeing, surfing and lawn bowls.
An Asian Championship is a top level international sports competition between Asian athletes or sports teams representing their respective countries or professional sports clubs.
India has a history of sports dating back to the Vedic period. Cricket is the most popular spectator sport; it generates the highest television viewership, with the Indian Premier League (IPL) being the most-followed league in the country. Football has also gained popularity, with the Indian Super League (ISL) being the highest level of domestic football, and the national team winning multiple gold medals at the Asian and South Asian Games. Additional football accomplishments include India having reached the Groupstage of the 1960 Olympics, qualified for the 1950 FIFA World Cup, and won the SAFF Championship. Other sports include kabaddi, badminton, tennis, and athletics, with kho-kho becoming the fourth-most viewed sport. India has also had success in field hockey, winning the World Cup and multiple medals in the Olympic Games. Sports such as golf, rugby, boxing, kickboxing, mixed martial arts, motorsport, wrestling, and basketball are featured throughout the country.
Net and wall games are court games where either a net separates the opponents or a wall serves to reflect the ball to the opponent. The object of these games is to hit the ball or bird over the net or against the wall back to the opponent. Play typically begins with one side serving the ball/bird by initially tossing or releasing it and then hitting it over the net. This then starts a rally, in which the sides alternate hitting the ball/bird over the net. Players then score points whenever the opponent fails to return the ball/bird back over the net. The criteria on what is considered a valid return varies between each sport.
The World Games sports comprise all the sports contested in The World Games. Starting in Birmingham 2022, there was no distinction between official and invitational sports. José Perurena, IWGA President, stated, "In Birmingham, for the first time, invitational sports were no longer presented separately but were also part of the official programme." This is now The World Games policy.
The Colorado Mesa Mavericks are the athletic teams that represent Colorado Mesa University, located in Grand Junction, Colorado, in NCAA Division II intercollegiate sports. The Mavericks compete as members of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference for all 28 varsity sports.
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