Move over volleyball, there’s a new beach sport on the sand.
The latest sport to hit Santa Monica’s beaches is a combination of tradition, agility and speed. Beach Tennis has been popular in Europe for more than 40 years, but only recently has it landed on US shores.
“In the L.A. area we’ve been hearing a lot about this new sport that’s taking the beaches of the world by storm,” Play Beach Tennis’ Krishna Demoura told The Mirror.
“It really has something for everyone – fun, skill, fitness and high-level competition,” Demoura said.
Krishna Demoura and beach tennis players on the sand.
Hailing from Brazil, the 5’5” athlete has risen to the top of the US Beach Tennis rankings fast; her husband, Paulo Santos is a coach.
He explained that many people transition to the sport from tennis or volleyball, although there are no skills needed to start, everything can be taught on the sand.
Demoura said that the best thing about beach tennis, is the beach! She explained that the game involves developing great sand fitness, diving for the ball and traveling to amateur tournaments in some of the most picturesque locations in the world.
“There is negligible impact on the joints,” Demoura said. “The sand is very forgiving and makes for a great workout. Ex-tennis and volleyball players with knee problems, hip problems, shoulder, come try it out!”
Beach Tennis Facts
- Workout Benefits: Moving in the sand has huge fitness and weight loss benefits especially for the legs, abs and glutes, not to mention the additional benefits to the soul from working out on the beach.
- Racket: It’s actually a paddle (no strings), made of foam inside and outside carbon fiber and Kevlar.
- Ball: 50 percent depressurized tennis ball, beach tennis companies manufacture them and similar to those sold as kid’s stage 2 tennis balls.
Coach Tips for Success
- Keep your racket/paddle up! Initially, focus on getting the ball over the net, don’t worry about strategy just yet.
- Move forward to contact the ball as high and as close to the net as possible – beach tennis is a volley game.
- Keep moving the whole time to facilitate use of your reflexes and change of direction
Beach tennis is currently played in Santa Monica and other SoCal beaches. For more information head to: www.playbtworld.com.
