First Annual Deadman's Challenge 2017, Low Tide -1.9

Deadman's because that's the nickname for Cutts Island which a local Native American tribe is rumored to have used for a burial ground.
Challenge due to the logistics of getting all the volleyball equipment and people out to the island and all the courts set up in time for play as the sand spit appears from beneath the water.
Thanks to several planning sessions at a local watering hole, all went well, but we learned a lot, too, so next year will be even better!

Dave's design with logo care of Bones Volleyball, Thousand Oaks, CA.  Thanks Lisa!

FIrst thing in the morning, Drew drives Gregg, George, and Mark to the island with Dave, some gear, and the sign in tow.

Chris, Jonn, Laura, and Ryan were there early before the 2000 foot long spit appeared and while the seals frolicked.

Soon the spit emerged...wide enough for us to stake our claim

The spit slowly widens

View back towards Deadman's Island as the spit widens more

Eric, Anna, and Rory arrived by Hobie (background).
Here Chris, Mariah, and Josiah prepare a court for play, filling in large holes the clammers left behind.

Play begins on all 5 courts at around 10:30.  Everyone got in at least one 3 game KOB, and some played a few more.
Next year on the minus 3 tide, we'll have plenty of time for a fun tournament.

See Kenny's drone video at https://youtu.be/KQivWW3wmKk

Rory and Josiah join Levi and Jack on the north court.  Did you bring a ball?  No, didn't you?

Dave serves with Chris mistakenly calling for a block against Gregg 

Drew Jumpserves to Johanna and Kenny

George and Chris ready themselves for a floater

Gregg enjoyed Dave's perfect sets with the net at only 7'2" near the center.

Daniel made a time lapse video of warm ups and play on his court

Unfortunately, all of the shots of Andrea, Anna, Scott, and Eric on their court came in as low quality video that wouldn't display on the blog.  If you have photos or videos, please email to Gregg, and he'll add to this posting.

After-party photo at the Nelson's

How about them nice T-shirt designs!?

Thanks to Daniel, we had trophys for the winners.

Seaside 2017

Once again, Seaside Oregon pulled off the world's largest beach volleyball tournament drawing both old timers and newcomers from Gig Harbor for 4 days of play under beautiful skies.
It was exciting to see some of our youngest do well and having a great time...including a couple boys teams in their early teens (need photos Joe, Elise, and Renae!).

In between matches, Will and JB took on Nate and Andrew

Will stuffing an opponents hit...return to sender!

Will's crescent style hitting eclipsed the opponents' blocking

Chris and Gregg trying to look happy about their 2nd place finish in 55s

 Chris hits patented cutty

Fast motion Chris crushes line (best viewed frame-by-frame).

Slow motion Gregg thwacks a perfectly executed set from Chris who applied the 6-step "Gritty Method":

1) Move feet and arrive early

2) Square up

3) Bend knees

4) Solid flat platform

5) Watch the ball

6) Get back and cover the backcourt cuz your partner can't put the ball away! 

Trent and CJ played well above the net in the BB division...

Trent Go Boom #1

Trent Go Boom #2

Trent Go Boom #3, field goal!

See Kaitlyn move, see Rachel hit, see Kaitlyn and Rachel win point

On Sunday July 23rd, John van den Heuvel, George Lee, Chris Nelson, Gregg Vermillion, Blake Surina, Bob Hanson, and Seattle newcomer Gary Bergan were off to Olympia and took their 6th gold (and 1 silver) in 7 years at the WA State Senior Games....this time in Mens 55+.

Backrow: Blake, Chris, Gregg, Gary
Front Row: George, JohnV, Bob

Meanwhile, Dave, Drew, Scotty, Mark, and Stefan were having even more fun.  They set up a net on a beach volleyball venue unique to Gig Harbor...Deadman's Island sand spit. 

Several times a year, the extremely low tide exposes 2000 feet of gorgeous, soft and jumpable sand for around 3 total hours.  Stay tuned for next year's tourney on June 16th when the tide next goes minus three again during the day.  

We have photos for proof below.
For more photos and videos, follow us on Facebook (for old folks) and Instagram (for Millennials) @ GHBeachVolleyball:

 Drew on an approach to pound a perfect set from Mark

while Stefan arrives too late for an effective block.

This time it's Mark winding up for a more than decent set.  

Scotty is ready to J up Mark's patented short knuckler.

 Is the net low, or is Stefan really 30 inches above the height of the net? 

No matter cuz Dave has a backhand cutty ready.

Unfortunately, Mother Nature put an end to the dry sand, but that didn't end the fun.

At this point Scotty was able to argue that all of his hits were on the line.

Cutt's AKA Deadman's Island and Volleyball Sandspit

Socal Road Trip 2017 Day5

On our final day of the road trip we drove up the coast to St. Clemente to play another 6 or 8 games in a beautiful setting .  A fifth day of blue sky and sun.

Cropped art

Daniel in the shade

Break time

Daniel's canon

Dave photoshopped

Mark aiming for open court

Ambi-sexual Mark

Mark's reverse cutty down the line

Scotty hitting weakside

Ace on its way

SoCal Road Trip 2017 Day4

Monday the 6th we skipped breakfast to get out on the courts at Mission Beach earlier for 6 or 7 more games.  Daniel's friend Tori and Dave's niece Jessica joined us mid-day and hung out with us through the evening whee we returned to Stone Brewery for some beers in the beer garden, then visited Barrel Republic, an innovative tap room where you can sample over 40 different bears on tap using wrist gadgets that keep track of how much of each beer you try.  We finished the evening off at Millers Landing for pizza.

Scotty with another perfect pass

Daniel's dream VeeWee

Stone Brewery beer garden

All in for brew tasting

SoCal Road Trip 2017 Day3

Dave found us a nice little (and affordable) house only 150 feet at most from the boardwalk and beach.

Mission Beach rental

Nearby beach view 

We woke up early on Sunday March 4th, and headed out for breakfast before hitting the beach for more games.

Daniel tools Chris...Dave imitates Karate Kid

Mark thumps one of Chris' perfect bump sets

Daniel serves

That night it was a trip to Stone Brewery followed by a short ride on the roller coaster and more Mexican food.