Top 5 gifts to give a beach volleyball player.

As a dedicated beach volleyball player our lives usually exists in a perpetual state of brokeness, so when your birthday rolls around, you can drop a not-so-subtle hint to your friends and family by sending them this blog post.  This is a list of things that most every beach volleyball player covets and will love you more than a slow loris getting tickled.

1. Bikinis/Boardshorts.

Until the US follows the ways of the FIVB, players will always have the freedom to choose their attire (unless they are lucky enough to be tied down by a sponsor), but this clothing is much more than just a "jersey", it can also be a form of expression.  We are always window shopping online for swimsuits, and we always want a new one each year.  This gift is home run every time, or in volleyball terms, an ace.

2. Sunglasses

Usually we will only stick to one pair of sunglasses but that doesn't mean that they won't break, be lost, stolen, or scratched up, so it is always good to have extra pairs and other styles to mix it up with.

3. Volleyballs

You may want to consult with your giftee to see what type of ball they want but it will either be a Wilson or a Spalding (Click here to find out where you can find discounted volleyball gear).  If you are currently asking yourself, "But they already have a bunch of volleyballs, why do they need more?", the answer is:  You can never have too many volleyballs.  It is just a beach player thing.

4. Care Package

If you are the creative type that wants to put some more thought and a personal touch on your gift, here is an assortment items you can put into a gift bag that will have their smile stretching from ear to ear.

sunscreen

athletic tape/KT tape

beach towel

sandals/flip flops

nutritional supplements (ask what they take)

ball pump (if they don't have one)

foam roller

resistance bands

agility ladder

and last but most certainly not least.....

............

...........

..........

.........

........

.......

......

.....

....

...

..

.

5. Your support

Now would be a good time to break out the wine and crackers because I'm going to get a little cheesy.

We put in a disgusting amount of time into training, conditioning, practices, and playing time, for little to no money (most of us lose a good amount of money on this game), and even those of us lucky enough to make some scratch on the side because of this awesome sport, we still love to see you at our matches, and we'd love to see more people share in the experience and the beach volleyball culture.  So get a hold of their tournament schedule and set aside a few dates to show up and cheer us on.  We definitely notice and appreciate it.