Why go to the gym when white sands are calling?
During your vacation at Grand Isle Resort & Spa, you have the opportunity to do more than just swim in the ocean. Activities on the beach are great for the mind, body and soul. The pristine, salty water, never-ending sunlight and fresh, breezy air will leave you invigorated and refreshed.
There are social and health benefits to playing sports at the beach. They are great for bringing families together and also for meeting new people—what better way to open a conversation than to ask someone if they would like to join a beach volleyball game?
RULES OF ENGAGEMENT FOR BEACH SPORTS
As much as your rowdy group might be good to go, sports at the beach are not always appropriate and appreciated by others who come to the beach to rest and enjoy the tranquility of nature. When choosing a beach and starting a game, consider that while you are kicking sand and making noise, you may actually be disrupting others who were lying quietly and listening to the sounds of the waves before your group arrived.
Imagine how you’d feel if you’re on your honeymoon snoozing in the shade of the canopy with your partner, and suddenly someone kicks sand in your face.
Also, don’t underestimate the sun between the hours of 11 and 3pm; not only will it make you hot if you are moving around, but also your waterproof sunscreen will sweat away, leaving you vulnerable to burning. Always wear a hat and sunglasses, and if you can, set up the game in the shade of the nearby palm trees.
Bring lots of water with you and remember to dispose of any bottles and other rubbish. In other words, leave the beach as you found it. Shake all the sand out of your gear before you leave, so you are not damaging the environment by taking the beach with you. Each grain of sand took millions of years to form, and once it’s gone, it’s gone.
POPULAR BEACH SPORTS IN THE BAHAMAS
Volleyball, soccer, touch football, baseball, cricket, tug-of-war, beach tennis and relay races are popular sports at the beach. They can be as organized and competitive, or disorganized and silly, as you want. Many resorts will set up beach volleyball courts outside the hotel on their stretch of the beach, while others will have balls and gear to rent such as tennis rackets and balls. Grand Isle Resort offers volleyball to all their visiting guests.
All you need is a blow-up ball (you can squish one in to your luggage or buy one in the gift shop), a spacious empty beach (there are plenty of those in the Bahamas, as well as outside your Grand Isle luxury villa), a stick in the sand to draw out the boundaries of your soccer or touch football field and some sticks or bags to mark goals. And even if you don’t have a ball, you can find some rope for tug-a-war or shells for relay races.
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