The tournament feels like a throwback…meaning lots of inspired players and viewers. Players and viewers look forward to this event all year long which makes it very special. These groups do not take the ability to play volleyball on the beach for granted. Also, you gain a quick kinship with players just looking for others like themselves.

From its origin as an amateur event four decades ago, the Seaside Beach Volleyball tournament has grown into one of the largest beach volleyball gatherings in the country. The first Seaside tournament, held in 1982, was inspired by Debbie Hauger, a then-local high school student. Hauger first brought the concept of a tournament to the Northwest coast as a fundraiser for her fellow Seaside lifeguards. Over the course of four days, this year’s event is expected to maintain 200 courts and just under 2,000 players.