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Beachvolleyball History

How everything started … - … of course in the United States

In the year 1915 George David Center played Volleyball with his friends on sand for the first time. He set up a net on Waikiki Beach in Hawaii and encouraged his colleagues to play a game of six versus six.

Seven years later the Santa Monica Beach Club was founded and by 1927 five more clubs were established in California. Thus, Southern California is designated origin of beach volleyball.

A little later … - … of course in Europe as well

In 1927 the new sport reached the “old world”. Nudists from a Parisian suburb acted as pioneers. Beach volleyball was first played in a camp in Franconville. During the 30-ies first beach volleyball games could be noticed in Prague, Riga und Sofia.

After World War II … - … first tournaments

In the year 1947 the first tournament was organised. One year later in 1948 the winner received his first “trophy money” – a six-pack of Pepsi.

During the early 50-ies the first series of tournaments arose, consisting of five single tournaments. The connection between sport, show, sex appeal and the arising marketing trend became stronger and stronger. Thus, the idea of “beachmania” was generated.

The Sixties and Seventies … - … sex, drugs and regulations

The ever increasing number of beach volleyball events had shifted to becoming huge parties. Although aiming to preserve the fun factor the California Beach Volleyball Association released its first regulations in 1965. This standardisation of rules and superior entities was needed to ensure the quality of the growing number of tournaments being held.

In 1974 the first sponsored tournament took place. The Winston Company invested USD 1,500, which were used as price money for a tournament held in San Diego.

The Olympia Beer Championships at State Beach in 1976 attracted 30,000 spectators. This tournament is still considered the origin of the event concept as far as beach volleyball is concerned.

The Eighties … - … first professionals

The most important element in sports is the athletes. In the early Eighties some promoters seemed to forget this, organising tournaments poorly and neglecting the player´s needs and ideas.

For this reason the Association of Volleyball Professionals (AVP) was founded in 1983. In 1985 this "volleyball trade union" started organising its own tour. The price money for their tour equalled an amount of USD 275,000.

In the mid-eighties more and more "Non-Americans" participated in AVP tournaments – above all players from Brazil tried to enter the US-domain.

In 1987 the international volleyball association (FIVB) established the "World Tour".

Different regulations and a fight for broadcasting times and sponsors’ funds caused a deep conflict between the FIVB and the AVP, leading to mutual suspensions for the players.

The Nineties … - … the decade of beach volleyball

Beach volleyball’s break through was in 1992 in Almeria (Spain), where it was played as a demonstration sport at the Olympic Games. Because of the recognition it was given, beach volleyball was nominated an Olympic discipline at the Games in Atlanta 1996.

The number of international tournaments, played on five continents, rose extremely in the mid-nineties and so did the trophy money.

This positive development in beach volleyball resulted in a compromise between the FIVB and the AVP.

The first Olympic beach volleyball gold medals were awarded to Karch Kiraly and Kent Steffes (USA) in the men’s competition and Jackie Silva and Sandra Pires (BRA) in the women’s competition.

1997 the first official Beach Volleyball World Championships took place. At this point a Brazilian supremacy was eminent. Para/Guilherme won the men’s und Silva/Pires the women’s final. The championship resulted in an international match between the USA and Brazil as both the women and men had 4 teams each within the best eight.

Since 2000 … - … Klagenfurt sets new standards

Just in time for the new Millennium, the second Olympic beach volleyball championship takes place in front of a breath taking Sydney scenery. By this point in time, beach volleyball is ranked second in the category of "the most loved" Olympic disciplines. Klagenfurt still sets the standards in beach volleyball due to its fantastic audience.

For four years the "Mekka" of beach volleyball has been reserved for men only. But in 2001 the world championships took place in a midland area for both men and women.

This championship tournament was awarded "best Austrian sports event". FIVB president Dr. Ruben Acosta appreciated the proceedings and described the tournament as the "best World Championship ever".

Every year promoters from all over the world come to Austria to be inspired by the "number one tournament" on the planet.