The EVP Beach Volleyball Tour’s primary aim is to support beach volleyball events that engage families, fans, athletes, students, communities, and sponsors in a great day at the beach. At each event, spectators will not only see elite athletes compete on the sand for top honors, they also have the chance to interact with the pros by participating in contests and promotions at hosting venues. Teams who finish 1st and 2nd are awarded a bid to compete in the 2019 EVP® World Finals of Beach Volleyball Championship.
This weekend event features competition ranging from a non-competitive corporate challenge all the way up to professional tour volleyball players. Competitive divisions include: 12U, 14U, 16U, 18U, Adult, and Pro teams.
In the events first two years player participation has grown from 50 teams in year one to almost 120 teams last year, with a huge jump in the number of juniors teams participating.
The EVP Coolest Coast Classic provides a lot of great opportunities for spectators. What makes this a special event for our community is that it showcases Neshotah Beach and gives spectators great access to pro players. Fans have an opportunity to sit courtside for professional volleyball. Pro players sign autographs, pose for photos and are available at meet and greet events at the end of the day.
Over the first few years of this event, the MAVCB has contributed over $10,000 in bid fees and services to tournament organizers. This has been used by the tournament to promote their event to players and to add equipment needed to run the event.
The biggest challenge of the past two years has been getting more visitors to the beach to watch this great event. In 2017 & 2018 the event brought in between 3,000-4,000 people down to the beach. Event organizers and the city representatives feel there is a capacity for almost 10,000 people on the beach.
As a bonus, the weekend of EVP Coolest Coast Classic we also have the Two Rivers Kiwanis Fish Derby going on, an annual event that adds music, food, parade and other entertainment for visitors here for volleyball. The two events have worked hand-in-hand the past two years, with volleyball taking a break so fans can experience the Optimists Fish Parade which will start on the 17th Street Bridge. It will run down 17th Street, to the Beach, and will follow the beach.
With water levels being higher than in years past, spectators are welcome to come down early and get a spot on the beach to give them the best seats. For the third year in a row, food will be available from the local Rotary Club.
Get out and enjoy the weather, but of course drink plenty of water, wear sunscreen, stay in the shade and be safe.
