Mama on the Move – Aruba Beach Tennis

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Who’s ever heard of beach tennis? Yeah, me either – until today.

Honestly, I was thinking this sport was more like some sort of stuffy game of croquet-slash-lawn tennis than the combo of tennis and beach volleyball that it is. I was trying to picture how the heck a tennis ball could bounce on the sand. Well, it doesn’t.

Beach Tennis Aruba

Instead, beach tennis is played with typical tennis racquets – or specially made beach tennis paddles that remind me of those wooden Kadima paddles. And the depressurized tennis ball doesn’t bounce on the sand. You’ve got to keep it in the air, like a volleyball. Scoring is like tennis, but you’ve got one serve and it’s no-ad points. Doubles are played on a standard beach volleyball court (30 by 60 feet). No shoes allowed. Good looking male players are optional.

Seriously, to watch players who know what they are doing – like the instructors from Beach Tennis Aruba who shared the sport with us at the Aruba Marriott today – is a thing of beauty. Yes, they are incredibly athletic (and good looking) like beach volleyball players, but they are also really passionate about the sport.

The activity is something that all ages can play, and it’s more strenuous than prissy badminton. Within a few minutes of messing around on the court today, I’d dived for a couple of balls and ended up with a scratched knee and sand all over my legs and arms. It’s a game that’s easy to pick up and super fun. Really, you could easily make your own court on any patch of beach or lake sand and a simple volleyball net. Use old racquets you rescued from the basement.

While the game has long been played in Europe, particularly Italy, it’s picking up steam in Australia and the Caribbean (apparently Michael Douglas has been spotted playing Bermuda). I’m guessing its popularity will grow in the United States, and honest to goodness, I wouldn’t be surprised at all if someday it’s an Olympic sport. Hey, if trampoline, BMX and rhythmic dancing can be part of the Olympics – as well as the sand sport of beach volleyball – so can beach tennis.

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November 21, 2008 | Filed Under Destinations 

Comments

2 Responses to “Mama on the Move – Aruba Beach Tennis”

  1. Kara says:
    November 21, 2008 at

    Kara was an absolute pro at the game… well, she at least gets an ‘A’ for effort. :) We had such fun playing! Watch for her in the next Summer Games.

  2. Julia says:
    December 6, 2008 at

    I checked the website, this game is a blast. hope I can play it somewhere…

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