What first comes to mind when you think about beach volleyball, is the Sun and Warm/Hot weather! However, summer is only 4 months a year, which leaves you with up to 9 months where weather might not be really as ideal for sand volleyball …
The most confusing time of the year is obviously winter when it is cold and where you might not really know what to wear for volley beach in such conditions!
This article will help you properly approach that, not only by helping you choosing the right items to wear, but also by sharing some helpul tips on how to properly play when it is cold.
List of items to wear for beach volleyball in cold months …
Here are the top five items you need to survive the winter months playing beach volleyball in the cold.
- Sand Socks: You should invest in a good pair of Sand Socks (Check this Example). You can also use a pair of wetsuit boots. They should be at least 5 mm thick.
- Gloves: Having a good pair of gloves before and after training is recommended. Also, keep a reusable hand warmer for emergencies and breaks. These are all recommended items that pro players like to keep handy.
- Base Layer: This is what you want to be wearing if it suddenly gets hot during the day. Most players prefer to wear a bathing suit. But, if you have something else that makes you feel more comfortable to move around in, you can wear that, just as long as it is breathable and lightweight.
- Second layer: Your second layer will keep you from feeling stone-cold in between matches and during warmup sessions. A tank top and leggings are usually preferred, but a short-sleeve T-shirt also works well.
- Third Layer: A long sleeve shirt or a sweatshirt usually works well as a third layer that allows you to move around but also offers some warmth. You can start your mornings wearing this and take it off as you get warmed up and the day becomes warmer.
If the weather looks like it might rain or it is windy, consider adding a fourth layer that is a windbreaker to keep yourself protected.
If it is snowing, players usually wear thermal underwear (Like These) under their existing volleyball uniforms, which consists of synthetic t-shirts and shorts. This keeps players warm in negative temperatures.
How should you play beach volleyball in the winter? (Important Tips)
Wearing proper clothing is important, but it is not enough. You also, need to adapt your style of playing to the cold weather so you won’t be impacted by it …
Here are some tips that help you play beach volleyball in the winter.
- It is essential to keep moving. When you plan your volleyball sessions in the winter, build up gradually. Remember that it takes some time to warm up properly, so don’t just jump into intense action right away, or you can get seriously injured. Winter is a good time for building lots of good quality reps. So plan the training in such a way that it avoids one player standing around for too long and getting cold.
- Keep a hot drink. Have a hot drink in a flask or a good keep cup ready whenever you need it. Having a warm beverage after a cold session of beach volleyball provides excellent comfort.
- Always dress in layers. Beach volleyball players should have layers of clothes. Have a good base layer for training and a light jumper for warming up in and for doing other low-intensity activities. The heavier layers are for when you stop and keep clothes to change into.
- Keep in mind that winter weather can turn quickly. Unlike the warm summery days, the weather in cold months can change dramatically and suddenly. This is why dressing in layers is so important. Players face the danger of not wearing enough warm clothes and having their muscles get cold. This can cause severe and painful injuries. Winter months also bring with them strong winds that spray sand and make it nearly impossible to play volleyball on the beach. So come prepared accordingly.
Risks of playing sand volleyball in winter …
1. One of the biggest risks of playing beach volleyball in winter is the risk of dehydration. You still need to drink water even if it’s cold.
Many people assume that hydration is only required in the summertime. However, you can easily become dehydrated in cold weather.
More people suffer from sudden-onset dehydration in the winters because they tend to drink more warm drinks like tea or coffee, which are both diuretics.
This causes more urination, leading a player closer to getting dehydrated. In cold weather, players have to drink water at regular intervals. Prefer to drink healthy liquids instead of sugar-loaded energy drinks.
2. If you are not dressed warmly, and in layers, you face the risk of cold-related injuries like frostbite, hypothermia, muscle sprains and strains, and snow blindness.
3. If your feet get wet while playing, you should attend to this as soon as you get off the court. The skin tissues of wet and cold feet increase the risk of freezing or frostbite.
4. You still need to wear sunscreen even though sunburns are not as common in the winter, but the sun still damages your skin, even on cloudy winter days. Use a daily moisturizer with sunscreen and apply at least 30 SPF sunscreen to your face while practicing.
Keep in mind that some people prefer to use shoes cold weather for beach volley. However, this is not something I would recommend unless it is very very cold …
Beach volleyball in Snow?
Snow volleyball was born in Austria in the mountains of Wargain, and in 2011, the Austrian Volleyball Association acknowledged it as an official sport that is a variant of beach volleyball.
This winter team sport is played by two teams of three players on a snow court divided by a net. The idea of playing volleyball in courts covered with snow has attracted more people to the game.
People are thrilled with the idea of a new winter sporting game, which is similar to beach volleyball. This sense of new adventure is working very well for increasing the popularity of snow volleyball.
However, there are several risks involved in snow volleyball. The biggest risk is that you can easily get hypothermia or frostbite if you are not dressed properly and your skin is exposed for long periods of time. The risk of slipping in snow is also much higher. This increases the risk of injury.
You can also learn how to practice beach volleyball in the rain …
Are there indoor sand volleyball courts available in winter?
If you love beach volleyball, but you live in an area that has a long winter season that makes it inconvenient to play at the beach, there is some good news…
There are now indoor sand volleyball courts that you can head to practice beach volleyball, even in the winter.
Indoor sand volleyball courts are becoming more and more common. It might be, though, that you have to do some research to find the right place near you, but chances are, there is an indoor sand volleyball facility closer to you than you may think.
The uptake of indoor sand volleyball courts has been increasing slowly because there is a huge expense attached to it. The investment into building something so unique is still difficult.
However, there are several indoor beach volleyball facilities opening up around the United States. In fact, in July 2018, it was estimated that there were 15 such facilities in the US.
For example, in October 2021, a new year-round beach volleyball indoor facility opened up in Long Island City, the first of its kind in entire New York City area. The facility has three sand courts where players can participate in classes, leagues, and other kinds of activities.
As of January 2022, the world’s largest indoor beach volleyball complex is in Sweden at the SEFA Beach center in Gothenburg.
Final Thoughts …
I highly recommend you stick to the recommendations I’ve shared in this article! Cold weather is really tricky, and a simple injury could really get worse in such circumstances …
Serious warm-up and proper dressing are key elements to effective and safe beach volleyball practice in winter!
By the way, I highly invite you to have a look this list of sand volleyball gear. I think you will find it very interesting …