With warm weather invading the outdoors, sand volleyball courts can finally shake off the cold weather stigma and start to reawaken for yet another season of sand volleyball fun. Unlike its hard court older and rougher sibling, sand volleyball is more forgiving, allowing players to dive and fall with a little bit more ease and less pain. Sand volleyball can range from leisurely to competitive, can be played with low-level consumption of alcohol, is a great co-ed activity and provides great exercise. In Boulder, there are opportunities to play in fast-approaching leagues and pick-up games.

The nets are back up at South Boulder Recreation Center, East Boulder Recreation Center, Williams Village and the Boulder Reservoir; all of which are somewhat popular places for finding a good game of pick-up volleyball. On any given day there will be people playing sand volleyball at these locations, waiting for new players to come join. There is also a sand volleyball meet-up group in Boulder. For more information about the meet-up, check out their website at meetup.com/bouldervolleyball.

Minutes outside Boulder County lies, “The Oasis.” Located at 2400 W Midway, just off 36th and 287, the Oasis is the closest place to Boulder that boasts seven indoor sand volleyball courts and two lighted outdoor courts. For those that enjoy sand volleyball, the Oasis is exactly what the word describes, and provides an ample place to play year round sand volleyball. To see the Oasis first hand, one simply needs to attend a drop-in volleyball session. Drop-in time are as follows: Monday through Wednesday, 4- 6 pm and 10:30 – 11:30 pm. Thursday, pick-up runs from 10:30 pm – 1 am. Friday 4pm – 6pm and 10:30 pm – 1 am. Monday through Wednesday drop in costs 5 dollars. Thursday drop in costs 8 dollars per session for those under 21, while friday costs 8 dollars for all players. The Oasis also provides a full bar and kitchen, making it an enjoyable and healthy alternative to a night on the town.

The Oasis

In addition to pick-up volleyball, there are also several summer volleyball leagues that have either just recently started or are about to start. Registration for Summer league at the Oasis will continue until June 27. However, to be guaranteed a spot, it is best to sign up as soon as possible. League play goes from June 27th through August 19th, with a tournament being held the following week. There are opportunities to play coed fours and coed sixes, as well as divisions of recreation, intermediate and competitive leagues. If you are looking for a team to play with add your information on the Oasis website at www.sportsoasis.com, post your information here : http://boulderactive.com/t-sports/volleyball.

In addition, there is also a City of Boulder Sand Volleyball League. The registration ended May 27th, however, there may still be a way to join these leagues by contacting the director of City of Boulder Volleyball, Derrick Tripp, or visiting either http://boulderactive.com/team-sports/volleyball or http://bouldervolleyball.wordpress.com and posting a comment with your information.

For adults looking for lessons, the Oasis holds lessons every Thursday from 4 – 6 pm. The cost is a mere $10. Ages range from 12 year old players trying to get some touches before club season starts to 80 year old men and women trying to have fun.

For more information, about volleyball and where to play, see our volleyball page. Hope to see you out there.