2011 SU Update: Scorching Heat Toughest Opponent at Beach Volleyball

The men’s final between Russia and Poland, won by the latter

SHENZHEN – Beach Volleyball did its entrée at the Summer Universiade as an optional sport here in China. In the even-numbered years the beach game has become a well established sport on the World University Championship program of FISU, with a 5^th edition coming up in 2012 in Maceio, Bazil.

The beach volleyball aficionado traveling to the Dameisha Seaside Park at the bay in Shenzhen could expect the traditional ingredients of the game: beach, babes, bikinis and thrilling duels. While the fans lay back and relax under the sun in the bleachers, the athletes swelter and pant under the scorching heat that reigns the volleyball court.

The ‘Beach Babes’ cooling down the fans as well

‘It is really hot out there’, said FISU Assistant Technical Chair for Volleyball Kristine Drakich. ‘We’ve had temperatures reaching 40°C while the sand in the center court has been up to 52°C.’

And no chance of a breeze as the sand pitch is surrounded by bleachers. Luckily, the athletes and their entourage are aware of these dangers and they know they have to be cautious.

However, there is no doubt that this environmental challenge surely affects the play of the athletes. And they don’t wear shoes… Imagine them making a dive for the ball into the sand to rescue a point… Would you jump into a 50 degrees hot tub? Don’t think so.

So, for obvious reasons, during the breaks the venue staff waters down the field of play on a regular basis. But then the Cheerleaders appear and temperatures go right up again…

C. Pierre, FISU Press Officer

Venue crew working the pitch

Temperatures rise even more when the cheerleaders appear…

(Photos: C. Pierre/FISU)