ROCK THE BEACH

WESTPORT LIONS 2023 BEACH VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT

Lifetime Intermediates are the competitive champions in the Westport Lions Rock the Beach volleyball tournament.

Congratulations to Clean-Up Crew’s team members Roman Kowalewski, Alistair Wright, Greg Gaensler and Marion Gaensler for winning the title of 2023 Westport Lions Recreational Beach Volleyball Champions.

Westport Lions Roar

By Lion Bill Garland

Clear blue sky, blazing sun, hot sand and amazing athletics were highlights of the Westport Lions 9th annual Beach Volleyball tournament on Saturday July 15th. Adding to the excitement and crowds at the Beach, The Lions Westfest Music event ran from 12 noon to 5 pm featuring local favourites Harry Adrain and Friends. There were easily 300 people of all ages enjoying the sports, music, playing in the sand and floating in the waters of Sand Lake on Saturday.

Eight Competitive teams and 3 Recreational teams battled through 40 games vying for the title of Westport Lions 2023 Beach Volleyball champion. Thanks to all the teams and participants that made the 2023 event a huge success. Teams from Westport, Kingston, Ottawa and Kemptville came to Westport’s Lions Beach Park to participate in this year’s tournament. 2022 champion Jeffery On the Block from Kingston returned renamed as Jimmy From the Block to defend their title against a strong field of competitors.

The recreational teams played 4 round robin matches, while the Competitive teams played 7 round robin matches. In round robin Recreational action Sandy Balls and the Clean-Up Crew tied for first place, each with 3 wins. In Competitive round robin action Pineapples and Tequilas from Kingston finished in first place with 5 victories. Four teams tied for second with 4 wins each – Volley Llamas, Jimmy From the Block, Lifetime Intermediates and Dirty Digz. Scores were very close all day with only 2 or 3 points separating winners and losers.

Quarter final and semi final games were single knock-out matches. In quarter final Recreational action Sandy Balls defeated The B Team. In quarter final Competitive action Kingston’s Pineapple and Tequilas defeated Westport’s Hartley’s Hurricanes to move on to the quarter final round. Last years champions Jimmy From the Block were defeated by Lifetime Intermediates, Washed Up was defeated by Block Party and Dirty Digz defeated Volley Llamas.

The refreshing Sand Lake waters provided cooling breaks for most players between games. The Trillium College School of Massage attended this year’s tournament to provide massage relief to athletes suffering from cramping and muscle soreness. With the day’s ultra-high temperatures and high tempo volleyball action the availability of the massage team and Westport Sand Lake was appreciated by all. Thanks to the Trillium College team!

In the Recreational Finals Clean-Up Crew defeated Sandy Balls 21 to 17 to capture the Recreational Championship. Congratulations to Clean-Up Crew’s team members Roman Kowalewski, Alistair Wright, Greg Gaensler and Marion Gaensler for winning the title of 2023 Westport Lions Recreational Beach Volleyball Champions.

In semi final Competitive action Lifetime Intermediates advanced to the finals by edging out round robin 1^st place finishers Pineapples and Tequilas in overtime play. Kingston’s Block Party defeated Kemptville’s Dirty Digz to also advance to the championship round.

Block Party and Lifetime Intermediates squared off in the best 2 out of 3 final matches. The lead in both games went back and forth with the Lifetime Intermediate team prevailing in both. The athleticism of these 2 squads was fantastic to watch with players jumping high to spike or defend and diving to save a ball from hitting the sand.

Congratulations to Kingston’s Lifetime Intermediate team members Gavin Snutch, Josh Roberts, Jordan Race and Michaela Marley for winning the title of 2023 Westport Lions Competitive Beach Volleyball Champion.

The Sandy Balls team was voted best looking team wearing matching team jerseys. Every player in the tournament was awarded prizes. One team participant from Toronto stated that this was the best prize pool he had ever seen!

Thanks to tournament organizer Lion Bob Reddick who was supported by Lions Dave Blair, Rick Warriner and Bill Garland.