Life’s a beach for volleyball players

A bit of drizzle does not deter beach volleyball lovers from getting their fix.

The beach volleyball summer open league is in its fourth week at the Beach Courts at the Otepuni Community Hub on Forth St, Invercargill.

A mix of keen social and competitive beach volleyball players have been hitting the net at the sand courts on Friday nights.

Volley South coach Jorgelina Leiva said beach volleyball was a great social sport that people of all ages and abilities could take part in.

"The people that play here on Friday nights are made up of social and really good competitive players.

"We just want to see people come out, give it a go and have some fun," Levia said.

Those interested in non-stop volleyball action could join a selection of grades —Rookies (a social four-a-side category), Renegades (a competitive four-a-side league) or Rivals (a thrilling competitive pairs section).

Former 2015 New Zealand Secondary School Beach Volleyball representative Ethan Dunn felt he was "a bit rusty" at the game but was thankful he could play on Friday nights to get his volley skills back up to scratch.

Rival league member Matthew Mclean said the sport was growing in the South.

"I’m keen to get a lot of the young ones involved," he said.

Team-mates Jose Lagaolas and Ryne Saldana were used to playing in the Philippines and were stoked they could play the game that reminded them of home, on a sand court in the middle of Invercargill.

"It’s fun and something good to learn and good for the community," Saldana said.

The Business House Social & Competitive Beach Volleyball League started on October 18 and runs for six weeks.