Precisely at 1:00 pm, just as ordinary people were still under the impression that Saturdays were meant for coffee and contemplation, something began at Sportcampus Zuiderpark that hovered somewhere between sport, chaos, and social experiments: the first Sovicos Beach Volleyball Tournament of the 2025/2026 season.
Five courts were ready — glittering sand under fluorescent lights, the faint aroma of sports tape in the air, and a legion of Sovicos members, supplemented by mysterious “plus-ones.” Some had come voluntarily; others seemed to have been dragged along by the promise of, “It’s fun, really.”
The tournament was also a first for Ilse, coach, BC member, and brave organiser of this sandy enterprise. She had a plan. And remarkably, that plan worked — which is quite something, as plans at beach volleyball tournaments usually hold only until the first whistle blows.
The formula: everyone played according to the King/Queen of the Court principle, so that everyone got plenty of game time and nobody could complain about “not having enough turns.” Teams with a plus-one stayed together (the universal law of plus-one equilibrium), while the rest were cheerfully shuffled into surprising combinations.
Since I was playing myself, I can only report on Court 2 — undoubtedly the most interesting court, as I happened to be on it. Four teams played their matches there, and although I can’t remember everyone’s names, I can confidently say it was a jolly good time.
I played alongside Folkwin, who bravely dragged his plus-one (me) into the adventure. We started strong. In no time at all, we racked up five points, which I personally counted as a victory, given my rather protesting shoulder. But Folkwin served as if he had personally suspended the laws of gravity, and we sailed through.
Our opponents — including Thomas and Fransie, who produced the sort of attacks that would make even professional grains of sand quake in fear — made things tricky. Long rallies, sand in improbable places, and a healthy dose of fanaticism (mostly on my part, because losing is overrated). Yet we managed to finish the first round with 17 points — crowning us the winners of the court! Hooray.
The second round, however… was less heroic.
We got off to a slow start, as if someone had hidden the “on” switch for our reflexes. Meanwhile, Thomas and Fransie were already out of reach. We ended up with 9 points, which is quite respectable for two people slowly morphing into sand sculptures.
After the break — a delightful interlude of healthy snacks, catch-ups, and reunions with familiar faces (Olga was back! 🎉) — the second part of the tournament began. Ilse shuffled all the teams once more. New combinations, new jokes, new chances to get sand in your ear.
I decided to give my shoulder a break and enjoy the spectacle from the sidelines. And honestly: that was no hardship. There was jumping, serving, laughter, and occasionally more rolling than playing. Jump serves were attempted, balls were kept in play in miraculous ways, and people literally doubled over with laughter.
As always, the event concluded with the third half: a veritable feast of conviviality, sore muscles, and the strategic search for a chair. The tables were overflowing, the conversations abundant, and the atmosphere was precisely what Sovicos is known for: warm, cheerful, and dusted with a light layer of sand.
Thank you, Ilse, for organising this successful edition of the Sovicos Beach Volleyball Tournament!
The next one is on 8 November, and registration is open again — with or without a plus-one, with or without sore muscles.
That it will be fun again? No one doubts it. So… will you be there, or are you going to leave Court 2 to its fate once more?